Kilby boss quits
Brian Kerr takes No.2 job at Partick Thistle
We fully understand the lure of full-time coaching in the SPFL
East Kilbride are on the hunt for a new manager after Brian Kerr resigned on Monday to take up a role at Partick Thistle.
The 36-year-old stepped down as Kilby boss to become Gary Caldwell’s assistant at the Scottish Championship side, dealing a huge blow to Kilby ahead of their Scottish Cup second round clash with Spartans on Saturday.
Kerr, the former Newcastle and Scotland midfielder, replaced Billy Stark in the K-Park hot-seat during the summer having spent time in League One with Albion Rovers.
But after just five months in charge of the Lowland League outfit he has jumped ship for a return to the SPFL.
East Kilbride assistant manager, Stuart Malcolm, will take the team on Saturday and insists it will be business as usual. He told the News: “Brian has been a full-time player and worked hard to get his coaching badges, so he deserves his chance and goes with the best wishes of the club.
“Nobody wanted to lose him – me especially because I know how good he is.
“But I don’t think much will change because I’m still here. The training and the standards we’ve set under Brian will be the same and I’ve just got to drive that forward for Saturday.
“The challenge is staying focused for the Spartans game and the boys were first class at training on Monday night.”
Malcolm now hopes to convince Kilby chiefs he is the man to guide the club to promotion this season.
He added: “I’ve told the board my hat is firmly in the ring.
“I know I’ll be judged in the coming games and that will determine if it’s me or someone else who gets the job.
“I’ve openly stated to the owners that I can be the one to take the team forward.
“I’m confident in my abilities and I believe I can help the team get the results they want.”
Kerr had enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season with Kilby in the league, taking them joint-top of the table alongside Kelty Hearts after eight games.
His exit means the top two sides in the Lowland League are now without a manager after Thomas Courts quit Kelty last week. Former Rangers star and ex-Clyde gaffer Barry Ferguson has since been in talks with the capital club.
EK’s director of football, Jim Mullin, said: “Whilst we are extremely sorry to lose Brian, we fully understand the lure of full-time coaching in the SPFL.
“Everyone at the club would like to thank Brian for his brilliant contribution since taking over at K-Park in May, and we wish him the very best of luck in his future pursuits.”