The Scotsman

Mcculloch counts cost of County loss as he exits Killie eight games into the season

- By SCOTT COULL

Kilmarnock will spend the internatio­nalbreaklo­okingforan­ewmanager after parting company with Lee Mcculloch by mutual consent just eight league matches into the season.

Those eight Ladbrokes Premiershi­p fixtures have yielded three draws, five defeats and no victories, with Kilmarnock rooted to the foot of the table following Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by fellow strugglers Ross County. Mcculloch kept his players in the changing room for around an hour after the end of the game and did not hold back in his criticism of the squad.

But, having insisted he wanted to stay on and try to turn things round, he subsequent­ly agreed to leave the post.

The departure of Mcculloch’s assistant, Peter Leven, was also announced by the Ayrshire club yesterday.

Mcculloch, a former Scotland internatio­nal, only took charge of the team on a permanent basis in the summer. The 39-year-old had been given the reins on an interim basis back in February after former manager Lee Clark left for English League One side Bury.

“Lee and Peter would like to thank the directors, players, staff and supporters for their assistance during their time at the club,” said a short statement on Kilmarnock’s website. “Everyone at Kilmarnock thanks Lee and Peter for their hard work and dedication and we wish both all the best for the future.”

Mccullochi­sthesecond­premiershi­p

manager to have lost his job already this season after Ross County sacked Jim Mcintyre last week.

It was Mcintyre’s replacemen­t, Owen Coyle, who helped hammer the final nail in the coffin for Mcculloch as County eased to victory at Rugby Park at the weekend.

Mcculloch was booed by fans at half-time and fulltime and then kept his players in the changing room for around an hour after the game. “There’s a frustratio­n in me that I unloaded after the game – I had to,” he said after emerging for his postmatch media duties.

Last night bookmaker Skybet released their odds for the next permanent Kilmarnock manager. Steven Pressley, the former Falkirk, Coventry and Fleetwood Town boss, has been installed as the 6-1 favourite, with Alan Stubbs (10-1) and Paul Hartley (12-1) also quoted.

 ??  ?? 0 Mcculloch: Winless.
0 Mcculloch: Winless.

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