Ross County cause controversy with their new manager appointment, with Malky Mackay confirmed as the new boss on Wednesday.
It’s his first managerial position in six years, with the ex-Watford and Cardiff City manager, 49, ending a four-year stint as Scottish FA performance director in November.
Mackay’s last full-time managerial role came at Wigan Athletic where he was sacked after five months.
John Hughes, who replaced Stuart Kettlewell in December, left on Monday after keeping the club in the top flight.
The Dingwall outfit finished 10th and have been in the Scottish Premiership for eight of the last nine seasons.
CLUB STATEMENT:
Ross County can today confirm the appointment of Malky Mackay as the clubs new Manager.
For the last 4 years, Malky was Performance Director at the Scottish FA, and more recently has been engaged by UEFA and FIFA on special projects. In management, Malky previously managed Watford, Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic. In his time with Cardiff City, Malky guided the club to their first ever League Cup Final and also led the Bluebirds to the Premier League, in the process was named LMA Manager of the Year for the Championship.
Malky also had a well-decorated playing career having started with Queens Park before moving on to Celtic. After leaving Celtic Park, Malky joined Norwich City where he amassed over 200 appearances and captained the team in promotion to the Premier League. He then gained promotions to the Premier League with West Ham and Watford in consecutive seasons.
In appointing Malky, the club feel that we have an individual who has vast experience, essential leadership skills and strong knowledge of the game. As well as being a respected figure throughout football with extensive contacts that will be essential in developing the next chapter of our club. As well as having been a manager, Malky brings great experience at performance development level as well as in strategic-planning and governance. This was clearly shown during his tenure as Performance Director at the Scottish FA, where he was also proud to take interim management of his National Side.
Ross County FC very much feel like this is the start of a new chapter on our journey and look forward to supporting Malky in every way possible to help drive the club forward.

Fans reacted as Ross County cause controversy with their new manager appointment, see what everyone made of it below…
@CrazyCoulter: Save yourselves the cost of a stamp and don’t send me the season ticket renewal letter. I won’t be back until Malky Mackay is gone.
@JackConnorMunr1: Backwards and disappointing appointment. Despite knowing the concerns of the fans , you continued with the appointment anyway. Speaks volumes.
@matty1929: A dark day for Ross county and Scottish football
@CaGrant94: You’d have got a better reaction if you appointed Ruth Davidson
@ArabChris40: Sorry County but this is a horrendous decision by you to appoint this very highly undesirable manager. As a non County fan I did have a soft spot for County but that us no more until Mackay is gone. I hate to say it but this appointment deserves relegation.
@RyanC1929: I won’t be giving a single penny to the club while he is manager. Thanks for making our club the laughing stock of Scottish football!
@eighteen74: “It’s about what Ross County is, what does it stand for, what does it represent and what does it represent for its fans”. So, the question for @RossCounty is what does it represent ? This appointment is a backwards step and hugely damaging for its reputation.
@onestafc: Tomorrow you signing kudela?
@Aqueously: Outrageous. I’m not putting a penny towards the club while he’s manager.
@rossd1987: I assume County won’t be participating in “Show racism the red card” days next season
@CameronMacphee2: I’ve seen a lot of negative comments about the appointment of the new manager like a lot of people have already said he deserves a second chance, it’s time we all got behind the club and look forward to the up and coming season and hopefully we can be successful! UP THE STAGGIES
@Therebel882: shambles of an appointment.
@mick_demarco: Sorry, Ross County are probably my second favourite top flight side, but this deserves a relegation
@AaronFraser37: Hopefully this mob will finish bottom of the pile next season, any club appointing Malky Mackay needs to get swiftly in the bin
@KieranGault: Hopefully a record low Premiership points total for this lot next season. Embarrassing appointment.
@davidm0905: Championship next year then
@gareth1874: Roy McGregor really is the pricks prick. Get fuckin doon
@crxigfxrd: that is absolutely tragic hahahahaha
@declanp92: “Second chances, changed man, etc” aside. I’m just quite uncomfortable with a guy like Mackay managing the club I support. Just a bit scunnered, really.
@woofly32: Sorry to all Killie fans we want yous back. Would rather have the plastic pitch
@Sbuddiesaints: Not listening to your fans, a great foundation for a new managerial appointment. 🙄
@Andr3w1869: you should be relegated in our place for that
@RyTweetsThings: I’ll say it once. Fuck Malky Mackay and everyone who is okay with this.
@jcdufc: Good way to sell season tickets guys 👍🤣🤣🤣
@samfangs: Nope. Piss off. I’m out.
@StevieDE83: From a Cardiff City fan… Good luck! His failures are well publicised but what isn’t well known is the horric financial state he left us in. Massively over-paying for players (Cornelius) and the huge contracts he out them on. It took years to sort out. Horrific manager
@KylEnsign: Oh my god lads truly fucked it.
@AliDavanna: Saddened and disappointed to hear this. This in my eyes is not a positive move for the club and seems and feels very rushed……so many better candidates out there 🥺
This you? pic.twitter.com/3DrqyD9VGZ
— Duncan Cameron (@dncncmrn) May 26, 2021
— Sean Dylan Mckay (@SeanDMckay) May 26, 2021
Sound. pic.twitter.com/76bDx52sU5
— Ieuan Williams (@IDW25) May 26, 2021
Every County fan right now including me 😩 #embarrassing why do you never listen to the fans!!!! pic.twitter.com/rpKpuuUKKU
— Nicola Mitchell (@nicx1402) May 26, 2021
— Jim Dandy (@JMRABZ) May 26, 2021
“RESPECTED FIGURE” pic.twitter.com/irTkBKd8f1
— Declan Paterson (@declanp92) May 26, 2021
— TDA (@TheDailyArab83) May 26, 2021
Glad to see you care about minorities in your fanbase 👍🏼 not to mention those who practise Judaism and of course all the women who love the club. Won’t be buying anything off County until he’s gone. #boycottmackay pic.twitter.com/s3DQtutbNI
— Ramsay Banks 🦌 (@Ramsay_SV) May 26, 2021

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