Kilmarnock sack Kenny Shiels
The outspoken Rugby Park boss has been in charge of the Ayrshire side for just over two seasons but his relationship with chairman Michael Johnston has become increasingly strained.
Regular appearances in front of the SFA to explain his criticism of match officials and obsessive comments about Celtic have upset the Kilmarnock board but last season’s ninth place finish in the SPL is believed to have given the club the option to dismiss Shiels.
Kilmarnock needed one win from home matches against St Mirren and Dundee to reach the top six but took just one point allowing Dundee United to snatch a place in the top half of the SPL.
“Kenny’s position is under review,” chairman Johnston admitted recently. “This is due to his failure to meet a contractual performance-related target but also potential breaches of contract relating to media comments and observance of Scottish FA articles and rules and SPL articles and rules.”
Despite his strained relationship with his chairman Shiels was popular among Kilmarnock supporters for his outspoken views and attacking football philosophy.
Last summer he was involved in phoning supporters to encourage them to buy season tickets and also visited pubs to drum up support for the team.
Johnston has rarely been a popular figure with the Kilmarnock support as he struggles to deal with a crippling £10m debt while attempting to maintain standards on the pitch.
Last summer he was the only SPL chairman to abstain from the vote to provide Sevco with a place in the top division with the other 11 clubs rejecting the proposal.
Whoever replaces Shiels will have a tough task winning over supporters- and staying onside with a high profile chairman.