Jim McIntyre appointed new Ross County manager

Jim McIntyre will be assisted by Billy Dodds. Picture: Jane Barlow

McIntyre replaces Derek Adams, who was sacked as manager of the Premiership bottom side on 28 August along with his father George, who was the Dingwall club’s director of football.

A club statement read: “Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor announced today the appointment of Jim McIntyre as their new manager and Billy Dodds as assistant manager. The club also announced Steven Ferguson will continue in his new role as head of youth development.

“Roy MacGregor passed on his sincere thanks to the chairman and directors of Queen of the South Football Club for their understanding in giving Ross County permission to talk to their former manager to allow formal and swift agreement to join the club.”

McIntyre and Dodds will take up their new roles with the Scottish Premiership strugglers with immediate effect and will be presented to the media this morning.

The duo inherit a County side who prop up the standings after losing their opening five matches. County’s next match is at home to third-bottom Motherwell on Saturday.

McIntyre, 42, took over at Queen of the South last summer and led the club to a fourth-placed finish in the Championship in the 2013/14 campaign. The former Reading and Dundee United striker leaves Palmerston Park with the team also in fourth spot this season, after picking up seven points from their opening four games.

Last night, Gordon Chisholm praised MacGregor’s foresight in appointing two men he believes have the drive and vision to revitalise County. The 54-year-old former Dundee United, Queen of the South and Dundee manager – now scouting with Sunderland – was McIntyre’s manager at Tannadice. Chisholm also made Dodds his assistant at Palmerston as Queen of the South reached the 2008 Scottish Cup final before losing to Rangers.

Chisholm said: “I’ve got to say, I think it’s a terrific choice by Ross County. It doesn’t surprise me one bit if the board were blown away by Jimmy in interview.

“He and Billy Dodds are two boys I’d say are highly-dedicated, driven and have a very clear vision of what they want to achieve. They work really hard at the game.

“I’ve known Jimmy a long time and I sat with him only a couple of weeks ago at a Falkirk game. I think he’s a great choice.

“Jimmy has great experience and is a determined character, very single-minded.

“When I had him as a player he was like that and he took it into management, winning the [First Division] title with Dunfermline.

“He and Billy will complement each other perfectly. The club will get great value there.”