Kettlewell and Ferguson appointed permanent County co-managers
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Ross County Football Club have today announced the permanent appointments of Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson as the club's co-managers.
The duo were put in interim charge until the end of the season back in March, but will now lead the club into next season.
Since taking over they have picked up five points in six games, including a four game unbeaten run at the Global Energy Stadium.
Stuart Kettlewell said he was delighted to be taking the reigns longer term, noting the unique structure of the management set up was one of the reasons he took the job.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity and there’s no-one else I’d want to do it with more than Steven.
"We work well together and the club means a lot to both of us.
“Being part of such an innovative football structure appealed to both myself and Steven and we thank the Chairman for the opportunity.
“There is probably no other structure like it in Scottish football."
The duo had been working on County's development programme before taking charge of the first team, and their new permanent roles allow them to oversee all footballing operations down to the youngest age group teams.
According to Ferguson, having this link was a crucial part of what convinced them to accept.
“Working alongside Stuart felt right as soon as we started and it was really important to both of us in accepting the permanent job that we could have a say in the Academy and Reserves.
“Such a lot of work has gone into establishing the Academy and it completes the circle to have a direct link from the first team right down to our youngest age group.
"It gives the club a solid foundation going forward from top to bottom and bottom to top.”
Club chairman Roy McGregor said that Kettlewell and Ferguson had made themselves the obvious candidates through their work with the first team so far.
And he hopes that their previous experience with the club's youngsters will see more players coming through the system in years to come.
“I'm delighted to confirm the permanent appointments of Steven and Stuart.
"They are a perfect fit for the role and no one knows the club and playing staff, from first team down to our youngest age group, as well as them.
"They are relishing the opportunity to take on their roles permanently.
“In their short time in charge it has become obvious that they could not be overlooked in the search for a permanent manager.
"Having them overseeing our Youth and Reserve teams too will also ensure continuity at the club and give our emerging talents every chance of making the grade.”
With Kettlewell and Ferguson's departure from the club's development system, Richard Brittain has been named reserve team manager on a permanent basis too, with the search for a new academy director underway.
