Shiels heartbroken as fans protest departure
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Kenny Shiels heartbroken as Kilmarnock fans protest managers departure
Kenny Shiels admitted he was heartbroken after his exit from Kilmarnock was confirmed.
The manager left Rugby Park by mutual consent after the club revealed last week that talks were being held over his position.
Killie chairman Michael Johnston hinted that all was not well when Shiels received a four-match touchline ban from the SFA for questioning the impartiality of the governing bodys judicial panel and the integrity of Celtic.
The Northern Irishman, who stepped up from assistant to replace Mixu Paatelainen in April 2011, signed a two-year contract in the summer of 2012 after guiding Killie to a League Cup final victory over Celtic.
But it emerged this week that the deal contained a clause that could see Shiels relieved of his duties if the club finished in the SPLs bottom four, with the Rugby Park side placed ninth last season.
The 57-year-old has often courted controversy and his outspoken views appear to have played a part in him losing his job.
But he insisted he was merely speaking out because of his love for the club.
He said: Im heartbroken. I think Ive left Kilmarnock in really good shape. But I feel that Ive been the victim of falling in love with the club.
I tried to over-protect the club and that was my biggest weakness.
Killie supporters gathered to protest against his departure and Johnston received a police escort as he arrived at the clubs hotel.
Killie issued a statement, which read: The club thanks Kenny for his service over the last three years.
Unfortunately season 2012-13 saw the club exit the League Cup at the first hurdle and go on to record our poorest home record since season 1980-81.
A difficult relationship with the SFA resulted in several touch-line bans and recent comments regarding a fellow SPL club and the SFA Judicial Panel incurred a further suspension.
As a result, the club was also prosecuted by the Judicial Panels compliance officer and will discover the penalty to be imposed on June 21.
For these reasons it was mutually agreed that his contract as manager should end.
Kilmarnock have yet to comment on the future of Shiels assistant Jimmy Nicholl but the former boss is in no doubt about who should be his successor.
He said: I would recommend Jimmy to manage the club and Garry Hay to be his assistant.
Kenny Shiels admitted he was heartbroken after his exit from Kilmarnock was confirmed.
The manager left Rugby Park by mutual consent after the club revealed last week that talks were being held over his position.
Killie chairman Michael Johnston hinted that all was not well when Shiels received a four-match touchline ban from the SFA for questioning the impartiality of the governing bodys judicial panel and the integrity of Celtic.
The Northern Irishman, who stepped up from assistant to replace Mixu Paatelainen in April 2011, signed a two-year contract in the summer of 2012 after guiding Killie to a League Cup final victory over Celtic.
But it emerged this week that the deal contained a clause that could see Shiels relieved of his duties if the club finished in the SPLs bottom four, with the Rugby Park side placed ninth last season.
The 57-year-old has often courted controversy and his outspoken views appear to have played a part in him losing his job.
But he insisted he was merely speaking out because of his love for the club.
He said: Im heartbroken. I think Ive left Kilmarnock in really good shape. But I feel that Ive been the victim of falling in love with the club.
I tried to over-protect the club and that was my biggest weakness.
Killie supporters gathered to protest against his departure and Johnston received a police escort as he arrived at the clubs hotel.
Killie issued a statement, which read: The club thanks Kenny for his service over the last three years.
Unfortunately season 2012-13 saw the club exit the League Cup at the first hurdle and go on to record our poorest home record since season 1980-81.
A difficult relationship with the SFA resulted in several touch-line bans and recent comments regarding a fellow SPL club and the SFA Judicial Panel incurred a further suspension.
As a result, the club was also prosecuted by the Judicial Panels compliance officer and will discover the penalty to be imposed on June 21.
For these reasons it was mutually agreed that his contract as manager should end.
Kilmarnock have yet to comment on the future of Shiels assistant Jimmy Nicholl but the former boss is in no doubt about who should be his successor.
He said: I would recommend Jimmy to manage the club and Garry Hay to be his assistant.
