Next Kilmarnock manager contenders

Following Derek McInnes' exit to Hearts, we assess the potential contenders to become the next manager of Kilmarnock.

Steven Naismith

Widely known for his playing spells for Everton and Norwich City in the Premier League, Naismith made the transition into management in 2023, taking the lead role at Hearts.

As Derek McInnes is set to become the new Hearts manager, Kilmarnock may look in the direction of the former Hearts boss, and it could prove the ideal next step for Naismith having spent over six months out of management.

An eight-game losing run saw the Scotsman sacked at Hearts, but a 43% win record isn't appalling, and would better Kilmarnock's 33% win percentage in the Scottish Premiership this campaign.

To strengthen Naismith's case, he emerged through the club's youth setup, and played 105 games for the senior side between 2003 and 2007.

Is a return to the club inevitable?

David Martindale

While David Martindale could arguably do without the noise of a potential move to Kilmarnock as he prepares Livingston for the Scottish Premiership play-off semi-finals, it's a role that he'd surely entertain beyond the end of the season.

Taking over Livingston in December 2021, he helped establish the club as a competitive Scottish Premiership side, recording 6th, 7th and 8th place finishes in his opening three seasons.

While the 2023/24 campaign saw his side relegated, Martindale has proved resilient in the face of adversity, and aims to take Livingston back to Scotland's first division.

Reportedly admired by Kilmarnock, the Scotsman may be introduced to steady the ship as he did at Livingston.

Stuart Kettlewell

Like Naismith and Martindale, Stuart Kettlewell is also relatively inexperienced in the field of management, but is no stranger to Scottish football, representing Queen's Park, Clyde, Ross County and Brora Rangers throughout his playing career.

Co-manager at Ross County alongside academy director Steve Ferguson between 2018 and 2020, Kettlewell struggled when handed sole control, winning just 12 of his 24 games in charge and was sacked after a 2–0 defeat against Hamilton left the club four points adrift at the bottom of the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership standings.

He returned to management in the Scottish Premiership at Motherwell in 2023, lasting just shy of two years. He, however, wasn't sacked, opting to resign and leaving the club in a respectable 5th place, a position Kilmarnock fans would dream of at this current stage as they sit 9th.

John Carver

Scotland assistant manager John Carver has emerged as a candidate for the vacant managerial position at Kilmarnock.

Ex-Newcastle United caretaker boss Carver is currently managing in Poland with Lechia Gdansk, earning a nomination for Ekstraklasa Coach of the Season after steering the club clear of relegation danger.

Carver would potentially be keen to return to the United Kingdom should a managerial role present itself, with a switch to Rugby Park now a possibility.

Des Buckingham

Des Buckingham is the only candidate on the five-name list not to have managed in the Scottish Premiership, and this could prove a refreshing change for Kilmarnock as they will aim to build on what has been a disappointing campaign in the Scottish Premiership.

Buckingham became the youngest manager in A-League history and was able to lift Wellington Phoenix off the bottom of the table, finishing one place outside the playoffs at the end of the term.

Serving numerous roles as an assistant coach at a range of clubs, including at international level, Buckingham was given a chance by Oxford United in 2023, lasting just over a year as the club, to the surprise of many people, sacked the manager in December 2024 with the club placed 20th.

Peter Leven

Peter Leven, like Naismith, spent part of his playing career at Kilmarnock, and has been mooted as a potential McInnes replacement should the move to Hearts be confirmed.

His managerial CV is interesting to say the least, but he has been present in Aberdeen's coaching staff since 2023, serving two respective stints as caretaker manager.

Experience is not on his side, but the fact that Leven led Aberdeen to a 1-1 draw with Celtic as caretaker manager can only prove a positive, and he may emerge as a suitable option should the club decide he is ready to make the step up.