Former Hearts boss holds 'talks' with Premiership rival over manager post as he forms part of club shortlist
The former Hearts boss is currently in another role amid the Premiership
A former Hearts boss is claimed to be in the running to become boss of a rival Premiership side.
Kilmarnock are hunting a new manager after the sacking of Stuart Kettlewell, Kris Doolan currently the interim leader, with Hibs to come at home on Saturday. They are 11th in the top flight amid a brutal winless run that has extended back to October 4th’s win at home versus St Mirren, a loss against Dundee midweek leaving them five points behind the 10th-placed Buddies.
Several names have been mentioned and one of them is Robbie Neilson. A popular former player at Tynecastle, he has had two stints at the Gorgie helm, leading Hearts to Championship success and into European football across his spells as manager. He has also guided Dundee United out of the Championship and is now Lee Johnson’s assistant at Belgian side SK Lommel.
Who will be the next Kilmarnock manager?
It’s claimed by the Killie Chronicle that ‘Kilmarnock have held talks with Robbie Neilson over the vacant manager position at Rugby Park.’ It’s also stated ‘a shortlist of eight candidates has been drawn up. Initial talks with each went well, with an array of experienced managers applying for the role.’
Kilmarnock’s board released a statement on their managerial situation this week, stating: “We know it has been a frustrating and unsettled time with results clearly not what we would have wanted this season. We also know that fans are looking for clarity on next steps, which is totally understandable. The club has been carefully working through the process of replacing Stuart Kettlewell and we are close to completing that process. We expect to have a new First Team Manager in place next week.
“This is an important decision for the future of Kilmarnock FC. We are determined to get it right and appoint someone who understands the Club and what it means to supporters and most importantly, someone who can hit the ground running and deliver much needed results on the park. We thank you again for your patience and continued support as we move forward together into 2026.
What is latest with next Kilmarnock manager?
Doolan said after defeat at Dundee: "Whenever there's a decision, we'll all know. I'm sure the board behind the scenes will be working hard. No, I haven't been told anything. I just take it day by day. That's the position I'm in. I don't mind being in that position because I just work day to day, knowing full well when the decision's made by the board, it'll be the right decision.
"We spoke about driving home that lead, going for the next goal, making sure we're the team in the front foot. But then we didn't start the second half well enough, and obviously we lose that goal, which is a poor goal from our point of view.
"That gets them back in the game. It gets their tails up when really we wanted to hammer home the advantage. When you take the lead in these types of games, you should go on and win. It's not as easy as that. It's the Premiership."