Stuart Kettlewell appointed permanent Ross County manager
County have also confirmed coaching and player departures
Last updated 4th May 2026
Ross County have confirmed the appointment of Stuart Kettlewell as manager on a permanent basis.
He was appointed as interim manager until the end of the season at the start of the year.
After the club's relegation to Scottish League 1 was confirmed on Friday night, Chairman Roy MacGregor says he has "full faith" Kettlewell is the right man for the job.
The Staggies have also confirmed a number of players and a first team coach have left the side.
'Reset and rebuld'
Jordan White and Ross Laidlaw, who made more than 400 appearances between them, have left the club along with Alex Iacovitti, Jay Henderson, Declan Gallagher and Uche Ikpeazu.
Several loan players have returned to their parent clubs including; Trevor Carson, Ryan Duncan, Levis Pitan, Jayden Carbon, James Scott, Kaedyn Kamara, Sean Mackie and Miller Thomson.
John Robertson returned to the County dugout last summer as Assistant Manager to Don Cowie, and stepped in as interim on two occasions last season.
He has now left the club, but Stephen Frail will remain as Assistant Manager.
Mr MacGregor has described back to back relegations as a "devastating blow."
He said: "We are delighted that Stuart has accepted the offer to become our permanent manager.
"After a disappointing season, where Stuart led the team to within minutes of retaining our Championship status, we feel that he has the right skillset, traits and affinity with the club and the Highlands to take us forward.
“It was a devastating blow to suffer a second relegation in two seasons, just four years after being one place away from qualifying for Europe.
"But myself, Steven Ferguson and the board believe we can learn from the journey the club has been on in the last few seasons - and the mistakes made - and think it’s the right time to take this opportunity to reset and rebuild, and actually build something more sustainable and resilient than before.
“We have full faith that Stuart is the best person to lead the club and to instil a desire and culture in the squad that the supporters can get behind on a Saturday afternoon.
"I hope that, together, we can dust ourselves down, stick together and create some lasting memories on the journey ahead."
Tributes to 'excellent club servants'
On the player departures. CEO Steven Ferguson added: "We would like to wish each of the departing players well in the next stages of their careers.
"I’d also like to single out Jordan and Ross who between them have represented the club over 400 times and been excellent servants to the club in that time.
"And also, Alex Iacovitti, who has represented the club over 120 times."
County have also expressed their gratitude to John Robertson for his "hard work and commitment over the course of a challenging season."
They've also outlined how talks are ongoing with all contracted players, with offers extended to five players from the current squad who are soon to be out of contract