McINNES SIGNS NEW KILLIE DEAL
KI’ve known for a while this is where I want to be, so I’m really pleased
ILMARNOCK last night pulled off a coup by securing manager Derek McInnes on a new long-term deal. The Rugby Park outfit announced their popular boss has signed a three-and-a-halfyear contract that ties him to the club until 2026.
McInnes joined Killie back in January, succeeding Tommy Wright and penning an 18-month deal.
When he arrived the team was struggling and sitting fourth in the table. But McInnes steered them to promotion back to the Scottish Premiership at the first time of asking, pipping rivals Arbroath in a dramatic Championship title race.
The new deal is a sign of the huge faith Killie have in the former Aberdeen boss, who will be in the visiting technical area at Pittodrie this afternoon for the first time since his departure in March 2021 when his side take on the Dons. Last night, a delighted McInnes (below) was looking forward to an exciting next chapter in his journey with the Rugby Park outfit.
He said: ‘I’ve known for a while that Kilmarnock is the place that I wanted to commit my future to, so I’m really pleased that the extension has now been agreed.
‘Thanks to the backing of the board and the supporters, the club has come a long way since we joined forces in January and I’m looking forward to the next stage of our journey.
‘With a bolstered club structure and strengthening recruitment process behind the scenes, there are plenty of reasons for Kilmarnock fans to be excited about the club’s long-term future.
‘In the short-term, there’s a lot of football to be played and everyone, including the squad, staff and supporters, will play their part.’ As part of a restructuring at the club, Kilmarnock announced this week that Russ Richardson has joined as head of recruitment, having successfully worked with McInnes before at Aberdeen. Richardson is credited with signing players such as Sam Cosgrove and high-profile loans like James Maddison and Danny Ward.
Greig Thomson is also back working with McInnes as senior analyst, having also been previously employed at Pittodrie.
In further changes at Kilmarnock, director Phyllis McLeish has assumed the role of managing director and she will be supported by general manager Gregg McEwan, who has moved across from head of marketing and commercial operations.
Last night McLeish welcomed the news that former St Johnstone and Bristol City boss McInnes had pledged his future to Killie for the next three-and-a-half years.
She believes with the 51-yearold at the helm the structure is now in place for the club to grow on and off the park. McLeish said: ‘Derek’s commitment to the club, alongside the recently announced structural changes, provide the foundation and stability required to implement long-term plans that will positively impact our team standing and strengthen youth pathways.
‘It’s important that we establish a long-term strategy for the club, to ensure that we continue to improve on and off the park.’