Ross County is confident that manager Stuart Kettlewell is “the best person to lead the club” as they announce his continued tenure following their relegation from the Scottish Championship.
Kettlewell returned to the club in December after the dismissal of Tony Docherty but was unable to avert relegation, with County finishing at the bottom of the second tier after a 3-2 loss to Raith Rovers on Friday. This marks the second consecutive relegation for the Staggies.
Initially starting the season as the manager of Kilmarnock, Kettlewell was let go after suffering nine defeats in 23 matches. He has previous managerial experience with Motherwell.
He began his managerial career at County in 2018, partnering with Steven Ferguson, now the club’s chief executive.
In June 2020, Kettlewell took sole charge of the team but was dismissed later that year in December due to poor performance.
Chairman Roy MacGregor stated, “Stuart came very close to keeping us in the Championship, and we believe he possesses the skills, traits, and connection to the club and the Highlands necessary to help us move forward.”
MacGregor added, “Experiencing a second relegation in two seasons is a heavy blow, particularly after just four years of coming so close to qualifying for Europe. However, myself, Steven Ferguson, and the board are optimistic that we can learn from recent years and work towards a rebuild that is sustainable and resilient. We have full confidence that Stuart will foster a culture and ambition within the squad that our supporters can rally behind every Saturday. Together, we aim to overcome this setback and create lasting memories.”
Stephen Frail remains as assistant to Kettlewell, while John Robertson has departed from the coaching staff. Robertson had supported Don Cowie at the start of the 2025-26 season and briefly served as interim manager before Docherty’s arrival in September.
Five players whose contracts expired have received new deal offers, but seasoned players Ross Laidlaw, Alex Iacovitti, Jordan White, Jay Henderson, Declan Gallagher, and Uche Ikpeazu are set to leave. Additionally, eight players who were on loan, including goalkeeper Trevor Carson, will not return as well.