Hamalainen shocked by Alessio axe and says Killie players had respect for Italian
Angelo Alessio: Left Killie sitting fifth in the Premiership.
Kilmarnock full-back Niko Hamalainen insisted there was no lack of respect for manager Angelo Alessio before his shock departure.
The Italian’s six-month reign ended on Tuesday with Killie sitting fifth in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Former Killie striker Kris Boyd claimed Alessio had lost command of the dressing room with players taking it upon themselves to revert to a more defensive style but Hamalainen stressed there was mutual respect between the manager and squad.
The Finland international, who Alessio signed on loan from QPR, said: “I wasn’t expecting it and I don’t think a lot of players were expecting it either. It was kind of shocking but that’s football, you have to get on with it.
“I thought it was a shock. For sure I feel sorry for him, he brought me here and had belief in me and gave me the opportunity, and I am pretty sure every other player will feel the same.
“On Tuesday before he left we all spoke to him and he had a little chat with each and every player.
“The way he walked in when he broke the news, you could see in his face he was shocked and looking like ‘what just happened?’
“After every game he would come round every player, win, lose or draw, and shake our hands. We would look at that like he obviously respects us so we have to respect him as well.”
Motherwell visit Rugby Park today and manager Stephen Robinson admits the sacking of Alessio “scares the life” out of him but also makes him appreciate the support he gets at Fir Park. Robinson said: “I was very surprised.
“I don’t know the inside of Kilmarnock or what goes on there, it’s not my business, but it’s always disappointing to see a manager lose his job.
“They are sitting fifth in the table so there didn’t seem to be too much the matter there but that’s football isn’t it? The crazy world of football that we’re in.
“It scares the life out of me. You think, ‘what more do you have to do?’
“I am in a very lucky position in that I have a lot of backing from the board, the fans are incredibly good to me.”