Kilmarnock: Allan Johnston becomes new manager

By John BarnesBBC Scotland

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments30

Queen of the South manager Allan Johnston

Kilmarnock have confirmed that Allan Johnston has become their new manager.

Johnston, 39, leaves Second Division champions Queen of the South, who announced on Monday that he had agreed terms with the Rugby Park club.

The PFA Scotland manager of the year is returning to a club he knows well, having played for the Scottish Premier League side for five years.

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston had been seeking a new manager since sacking Kenny Shiels on 11 June.

The Killie chairman had sought permission to speak to the Queens manager on 13 June and

A statement by the Dumfries club said: "Permission was granted as there is no point in denying that when a top division side are interested, though it was made clear to Allan that we obviously did not want him to leave."

The deal will see the Palmerston club receive about £30,000, with Johnston and assistant Sandy Clark signing two-year deals.

The former Kilmarnock winger led the Doonhamers to Second Division title victory and Scottish Challenge Cup success last season.

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

30 comments

  • Comment posted by G-Dawgy-Dawg, at 09:49 24 Jun 2013

    Lets get behind the new manager!

  • Comment posted by Nick C, at 11:04 24 Jun 2013

    2.doonhamer64
    compensation in this case was linked to his wage I believe i.e. 1 year contract on 30k a year = 30k compensation.

  • Comment posted by Bill Gibson, at 10:39 25 Jun 2013

    Gordon Chisholm
    Ian McCall
    John Connolly

    all moved on from what is a great wee club yet history has shown that they should have considered staying a bit longer. No harm to AJ but another year at Palmerston to repay the faith that the Board and fans had in him would have been the right approach.

  • Comment posted by Joey, at 21:51 24 Jun 2013

    @11
    Kenny had to go. Our home record and most performances were awful.

  • Comment posted by U15664702, at 20:54 24 Jun 2013

    But the compensation surely should be for both Johnston and Clark and £30,000 doesn't cut it. I think our board have sold us down the river on this one and there has obviously been some sort of communication breakdown as to when the deal was accepted. Either way it's been a slap in the face for Queens fans who were looking forward to another season under Johnston and Clark.

  • Comment posted by U14415247, at 18:19 26 Jun 2013

    Agree, I have no issue if financial stability can be gained through a new stadium and selling the land. It is one option, there are others though in utilising the current facilities for other means

  • Comment posted by U15498614, at 16:31 26 Jun 2013

    there is no doubt AJ has taken on a major challenge here, however I do not see this "boycott" of home games and season tickets lasting more than 3 or 4 games.
    I do hope that change comes along soon, for me the real Rugby Park died nearly 20 years ago, so I would have no problem moving to a state of the art correctly sized venue, with a roof to keep out the Ayrshire wind, rain and snow

  • Comment posted by U14415247, at 14:47 26 Jun 2013

    @27 My comparison was meant tongue in cheek, if offended I apologise. I'll give MJ credit in that he seems to be able to pick a manager. However, he should be seeking ways of reducing the debt with a public plan, not solely through player sales and selling land. If you had an electrical fault would you call a plumber? nope, so why is a Lawyer in sole charge of a football club. He has had his time.

  • Comment posted by Joey, at 13:49 26 Jun 2013

    @26
    A disgusting comparison, you should be ashamed. Lots of fans stopped going because the product on the park is not good enough, games are expensive and East Ayrshire is not a wealthy area. Never heard many complaints about MJ under the exciting football we played under Mixu. MJ is not perfect but what could anyone do saddled with £10m debt? It's not just MJ there is a management committee.

  • Comment posted by U14415247, at 13:07 26 Jun 2013

    @24 If you think it is healthy that one man owns the club and does what he pleases then you would have loved 1940s Germany. MJ has one interest, that is MJ. 1000s have already stopped going. Businesses have made their thoughts clear. Open your eyes, we will die anyway the way things are currently being handled.

  • Comment posted by boroblue, at 12:59 26 Jun 2013

    Why the rush AJ? Another year at Queens in the 1st Division would be a great experience. Only people who feel any loyality to football clubs nowadays are the fans. Footballers and managers have a living to make and will always chase the pound which is perfectly understandable. Good luck Magic & Sandy we have some great memories of one the best seasons we have had at Queens. Ae fond farewell.

  • Comment posted by U14415247, at 22:25 25 Jun 2013

    Good luck to AJ, he will need it under MJ! My seat will be empty under his regime. Will be cheering the team on first game of season at Aberdeen though. Don't understand KS haters, one poor season based on home record. Remember the yrs under JJ, who couldn't buy a result vs the OF.

  • Comment posted by U15596008, at 22:24 25 Jun 2013

    well done . He did a fantastic job at QotS , all the best for a young and up and coming SCOTTISH manger

  • Comment posted by U14877038, at 18:58 25 Jun 2013

    Right ....

    Let's get behind our new man, a man should who know what this club means to its true fans.

    Chairman Johnston this IS your last chance, Please keep your head down and out of the limelight.

    C'mon the Killie, bring on the new season !

    KTID

  • Comment posted by Joey, at 14:05 25 Jun 2013

    @19
    Unless you oversee having the worst home record in 30 years.....

  • Comment posted by Pudwin, at 14:00 25 Jun 2013

    Good to see Johnston moving to a club where the board backs their manager.

    Oh wait....

  • Comment posted by Wooly Hat, at 12:49 25 Jun 2013

    QoS should now do the decent thing and hire Kenny Shiels as their new manager.

  • Comment posted by U15664702, at 09:45 25 Jun 2013

    Cheers Dunaskinblue! Realistically I was looking for a mid-table finish (obviously a vast improvement on our last Division 1 outing!) and then I would have expected Johnston to move on then. My main disappointment is that Johnston and Clark signed a one year extension only a few weeks ago which in turn led to a majority of our squad signing on again. You've got yourself a good manager there!

  • Comment posted by bouncefootball, at 08:16 25 Jun 2013

    £30k?! For a manager who achieved runaway promotion and a cup in first season as a manager?

    Sensational business.

  • Comment posted by U15418603, at 00:36 25 Jun 2013

    Shame for Queens. A few wins and the supposed stay away fans will forget whatever it is they think they are angry about. Johnston was a good player and looks to be a good young manager. Surely a better option than Shiels and everything that comes with him.

Top Stories