Former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock manager will be unveiled as Ross County’s new manager today. The 55-year-old has been out of work for eight months since his contract ended at Kilmarnock last summer, and rejected an offer of a new contract.
The First Division side have moved quickly to replace Willie McStay, who was sacked on Saturday night after only nine games in charge, with no wins to his name.
Chris Sutton, Gordon Chisholm and Gus MacPherson were all linked with the job, but Calderwood’s extensive managerial experience and contacts at home & abroad proved to be the key.
A press conference will be held at 1pm at Victoria Park.
Calderwood will become County’s seventh manager in six years – conveniently the same time as Director of Football George Adam was appointed.
Calderwood’s managerial career kicked off at Dunfermline, after several years as a coach in Holland. He spent five years at East End Park before being lured north to Aberdeen in 2004, replacing Steve Paterson. Calderwood left Pittodrie by mutual consent (aka sacked!) in May 2009. In late January he was appointed Kilmarnock manager till the end of the season, with the Ayrshire side deep in a relegation battle. Calderwood led Killie to safety but rejected an offer of a new contract to take charge of Killie permanently. And it now looks he has ended his time out in the cold with a return to the Highland outfit.
Alan Ross of The Jailender said on the appointment, “The appointment of Jimmy Calderwood is yet again another surprise appointment by Roy MacGregor – but a welcomed appointment. Calderwood has a good record at his previous clubs, most recently Kilmarnock last season when he turned their season around and prevented the club from being relegated. His style of football may not be pretty at times, but its points we need now, not fancy football!”
There is also a rumour that Sandy Clarke and Craig Brewster will be his assistants, but Alan Ross added on the rumours, “….it will be quite an expense, but maybe it will show how much the club want or need to avoid Division 2 and part-time football.”
