Club Statement: Stuart Kettlewell Appointed Permanent Manager

Ross County Football Club is delighted to announce the permanent appointment of Stuart Kettlewell as First Team Manager. Kettlewell will be assisted by Stephen Frail. The appointment extends Kettlewell’s 12-year association during which time he has represented the club with distinction as a player, coach and manager - including leading the team to promotion to the Scottish Premiership in the 2018/19 season.

Speaking about his appointment, Chairman, Roy MacGregor, said:

“We are delighted that Stuart has accepted the offer to become our permanent manager. After a disappointing season, where Stuart led the team to within minutes of retaining our Championship status, we feel that he has the right skillset, traits and affinity with the club and the Highlands to take us forward.

“It was a devastating blow to suffer a second relegation in two seasons, just four years after being one place away from qualifying for Europe. But myself, Steven Ferguson and the board believe we can learn from the journey the club has been on in the last few seasons - and the mistakes made - and think it’s the right time to take this opportunity to reset and rebuild, and actually build something more sustainable and resilient than before.

“We have full faith that Stuart is the best person to lead the club and to instil a desire and culture in the squad that the supporters can get behind on a Saturday afternoon. I hope that, together, we can dust ourselves down, stick together and create some lasting memories on the journey ahead.”

Coaching staff & player departures

As the club prepares for its first campaign in the third tier since 2007/08 it has further been announced that John Robertson has left the club. Robertson returned for a second spell in the dugout - as assistant manager - at the start of the 25/26 season as interim manager. The club would like to extend their gratitude to Robertson for his hard work and commitment over the course of a challenging season.

Players who are out of contract and also leaving the club are Ross Laidlaw. Alex Iacovitti, Jordan White, Jay Henderson, Declan Gallagher and Uche Ikpeazu.

Loan players who have returned to their parent clubs include: Trevor Carson, Ryan Duncan, Levis Pitan, Jayden Carbon, James Scott, Kaedyn Kamara, Sean Mackie and Miller Thomson. Ross County Football Club wishes them all well in the next chapter of their careers.

Ross County FC CEO, Steven Ferguson, comments:

“We would like to wish each of the departing players well in the next stages of their careers. I’d also like to single out Jordan and Ross who between them have represented the club over 400 times and been excellent servants to the club in that time. And also, Alex Iacovitti, who has represented the club over 120 times.”

The club remains in discussion with all contracted players, with offers extended to five players from the current squad who are soon to be out of contract. The club will provide updates as and when more information is available.