Next Kilmarnock Manager Odds: Kettlewell Favourite For Killie Job
Kilmarnock are looking for a new manager after Derek McInnes left the club to join Hearts.
The interview process is thought to be well under way, and former Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has emerged as the frontrunner with betting sites.
Killie fans will hope for a quick appointment as the club prepare for another Scottish Premiership campaign next season.
Here, we look at the potential candidates for the role and the best odds offered by football betting sites.
Kettlewell Keen For Next Challenge
Kettlewell left Motherwell in January, citing abuse from fans as the main reason for his departure.
The 40-year-old had done an impressive job until that point, and left with the club in fifth spot in the table.
Considered to be one of the most talented young coaches in Scotland, he is likely to find a new job sooner rather than later.
The Kilmarnock board are reportedly keen to appoint Kettlewell as manager, who is the 4/5 favourite for the role.
Naismith Popular With Fans
Despite his time at Hearts ending in disappointment, Steven Naismith (2/1) is currently the second favourite in the next Kilmarnock manager odds.
The former Everton forward began his playing career at Killie, making over 100 appearances before moving to Rangers.
This could make him a popular appointment with fans, but he is still relatively inexperienced in the dugout.
He was appointed manager of Hearts in September 2023, but was relieved of his duties after just one year in charge.
Next Kilmarnock Manager Odds
Manager | Odds | Probability |
Stuart Kettlewell | 4/5 | 55.6% |
Steven Naismith | 2/1 | 33.3% |
John Carver | 3/1 | 25% |
Robbie Neilson | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Barry Ferguson | 4/1 | 20% |
Scott Brown | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Liam Fox | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Shaun Maloney | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Ian Murray | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Duncan Ferguson | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Could Carver Improve Killie?
A surprise name among the several candidates for the Kilmarnock manager job is John Carver.
The veteran coach has spent most of his career as an assistant, but was named boss of Polish side Lechia Gdansk last year.
He managed to lead the club to safety, but Killie fans would surely be hoping for a bigger name to take over for next season.
Despite this, the 60-year-old is 3/1 with betting apps.
Neilson Another Contender
Robbie Neilson is another former Hearts boss in the running to take over at Rugby Park.
He was last seen in charge of Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship and is likely to be keen on returning to Scottish football.
He twice led Hearts to promotion to the Premiership during two spells as manager, and achieved the same feat at Dundee United in 2019/20.
Neilson is seen as a 7/2 shot to become the next Kilmarnock boss.
Is Ferguson Ready For New Role?
Barry Ferguson is still an outsider in the running to become the next Rangers manager, but he is likely to miss out on that job.
That would free him up for another club, and Kilmarnock might be interested in bringing him to the club.
The 47-year-old has plenty of experience managing in the lower leagues, and now that he has Premiership experience, the Killie board could be tempted to make him their new boss.
The former Scottish international is 4/1 to lead the club next season.
Brown And Fox In The Running
Scott Brown (9/2) and Liam Fox (5/1) are other candidates to take over at Rugby Park this summer.
Brown is relatively inexperienced as a head coach, although he has done a decent job at Ayr United since taking over in January.
Fox has been caretaker manager at Dundee United and Hearts but has yet to hold a full-time position.
Shaun Maloney (6/1), Ian Murray (8/1) and Duncan Ferguson (10/1) are other names being mentioned as possible replacements for McInnes at Kilmarnock.
