News New Manager Appointed

[CLANCY2KTID]

McCann and Dodds, unfortunately 🤮

Quote

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Neil McCann as the club’s new first-team manager, with Billy Dodds joining him as assistant manager until the end of the 2027/28 season.

Neil brings significant experience of the Scottish game, both as a player and as a manager, alongside a clear understanding of what is required to compete at the highest level of domestic football. His previous managerial experience in the Scottish Premiership, combined with strong leadership qualities and tactical knowledge, made him a strong candidate.

Billy Dodds adds further depth to the management team, offering extensive playing and coaching experience within Scottish football and a proven ability to work closely with players at the highest level.

Speaking on the appointment, the Board of Directors said:

“We fully understand how important it was to get this appointment right. After a thorough process, we are assured that Neil and Billy have the qualities, experience, and character required to lead Kilmarnock Football Club forward.

“We have complete faith in their ability to do what needs to be done to keep this club competing in the Scottish Premiership. Both Neil and Billy know the Scottish league inside out, understand its demands, and share a vision that aligns strongly with the culture and values of this football club.

“This is a significant appointment for Kilmarnock FC. We are confident the players will adapt quickly to their leadership and respond positively to the clarity, belief, and ambition they bring at a crucial moment for the club.”

Everyone at Kilmarnock Football Club welcomes Neil and Billy to BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park and looks forward to working with them as the club enters an important new chapter.

 

[Pride_of_ayrshire]

And may the meltdown commence 

[killieclover]

Oh dear, would have been fine if it was until the end of the season but not next season too.

[BR1869]

Another patter merchant interviewing well I suspect.

[skygod]

“Speaking on the appointment, the Board of Directors said:

‘We fully understand how important it was to get this appointment right. After a thorough process, involving a worldwide search, we have decided that the wee fella we seen on the telly has the qualities, experience, and character required to lead Kilmarnock Football Club forward.’”

 

Edited January 6 by skygod

[Squirrelhumper]

The board better hope this works out, as they'll have zero credit in the bank if it doesn't. 

HUGE risk IMO but hopefully it works. 

Smacks me of the cheap, easy choice 

[LH31]

f**k me man

[LH31]

Just now, Squirrelhumper said:

The board better hope this works out, as they'll have zero credit in the bank if it doesn't. 

HUGE risk IMO but hopefully it works. 

Smacks me of the cheap, easy choice 

 

Assume Neilson maybe didn’t like what he saw under the bonnet

[FTAD]

He's going to need as much support as we can muster because I can't imagine we'll be changing manager again this season if it gets worse. 

Big gamble. Good luck! 

[Stuart]

Need to get behind him, no use in moaning about it now.

[OldKillieHero]

Crazy.

[Bright_Fire]

A fairly bizarre appointment to make in the circumstances. Suppose we don’t have the money to improve the squad as Neilson demanded. Not got a good feeling about the rest of the season to be honest. 

[CardinalSpin]

Or wasn’t given the budget he wanted

[casual observer]

I’m happy with these two getting the opportunity. Both wanted the chance, know Scottish football inside out and have operated at the highest level.

the alternative is we can moan and groan til doomsday but it serves no positive purpose. Get behind them and give them & the team support - it’s more important to salvage our Prem status than go on personal rants about who shoulda coulda woulda have their positions instead. 

[Garnkirk20]

In the position we are in now, whether we agree with appointment or not we simply just have to get behind the the new management team. 

So welcome to Killie to Neil McCann and Billy Dodds. Hope you are able to work miracles! 

[Ngonge88]

I truly hope this is a master stroke, I really do.

But if this goes wrong, and of course it’s a big IF… the board need to be held fully responsible. 
 

However, all the very best Neil! As a support I’m sure we’ll get behind you!

Edited January 6 by Ngonge88

[Scouser2]

Why has it taken 3 weeks to get to this point ?

As a fan I wish them well and hope those choices prove correct, but the whole process and decision making of this board is hard to fathom. 

[fmcc]

Two people with relatively recent experience in this league and you’d think would be extremely well connected. 
I’ve always quite liked the cut of McCanns jib. Let’s see how it goes. 
Quite pointedly shows us our place in the world tho, which is dispiriting 

[Squirrelhumper]

I've accepted we are down, this appointment just smacks me of a board who have accepted the same. 

Will be behind the new manager 100% but can't say the appointment is anything other than underwhelming. 

[Killjoy1869]

I really like McCann, but on the sport scene couch, not in our dugout. This is a clear statement from the board that relegation is acceptable/inevitable.

 

[Cyril the Squirel]

1 minute ago, casual observer said:

I’m happy with these two getting the opportunity. Both wanted the chance, know Scottish football inside out and have operated at the highest level.

the alternative is we can moan and groan til doomsday but it serves no positive purpose. Get behind them and give them & the team support - it’s more important to salvage our Prem status than go on personal rants about who shoulda coulda woulda have their positions instead. 

At least we are not getting Barry as well!

[Jimmy Superscot]

1 minute ago, CardinalSpin said:

Or wasn’t given the budget he wanted

Yes, I think he knew exactly what was under the bonnet and what was needed to fix it… the Board wouldn’t let him have it. Let’s just hope that McCann and Dodds can work something… only plus is Baz Ferguson wasn’t thrown in as part of the package!

[Killie lad]

Tbf probably the only one desperate enough to take on the bunch of already relegated losers 

[Squirrelhumper]

1 minute ago, Garnkirk20 said:

In the position we are in now, whether we agree with appointment or not we simply just have to get behind the the new management team. 

So welcome to Killie to Neil McCann and Billy Dodds. Hope you are able to work miracles! 

Agreed. No point moaning about it, just end up being miserable. 

Let's hope they start with 3 points at livi. 

[PrestersKtid]

Funny thing is I wouldn’t have been too fussed if they were the choice in the summer, would’ve taken them over kettlewell. But getting them now is maybe not a big enough upgrade. 
 

hopefully works out.