Next Ross County Manager: Four Names Who Could Replace Tony Docherty
Next Ross County manager odds are now live with betting sites after the club parted company with Tony Docherty with the club rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Championship.
Relegated from the Premiership last season, the Staggies have managed just 12 points from their opening 17 games, and Docherty departs alongside assistant Callum Davidson, leaving County on the hunt for their third permanent manager of the campaign.
Next Ross County Manager Candidates
Here at Free Bets, we've taken a closer look at the leading contenders according to the latest next Ross County manager odds from the top football betting sites for the Victoria Park hot seat.
Robbie Neilson
Robbie Neilson boasts an impressive managerial CV at the Scottish Championship level and above.
The former Hearts boss has clinched the Championship title three times – twice with Hearts and once with Dundee United – and even guided Hearts to a third-place finish in the Premiership.
He is currently Assistant Head Coach of Lommel SK in Belgium, but he remains keen to return to Scottish football.
In fact, Neilson was linked to the Motherwell job earlier this year, underlining his continued appeal back home.
Neilson's tactical approach centres on building resilient, well-organised squads that can grind out results – a formula that has repeatedly defied expectations and "punched above weight" in the past.
This style would suit Ross County's immediate needs as they fight to climb out of the Championship relegation zone.
Crucially, Neilson knows Scotland's second tier inside out - his familiarity with staging promotion pushes, combined with his availability, has seen him installed among the frontrunners in the next manager odds by UK betting sites.
Neilson's proven ability to turn struggling sides into contenders makes him a logical favourite for the Dingwall hot seat.
Stuart Kettlewell
Stuart Kettlewell is a name very familiar to Ross County fans – and for good reason.
He spent several years with the Staggies, both on and off the pitch, including five years as a player before moving into coaching and management.
Notably, Kettlewell co-managed Ross County to the Championship title (and Challenge Cup) in 2018–19, securing the club's immediate return to the top flight.
That successful campaign demonstrated his knack for handling the pressures of second-tier football. He later took sole charge of County in the Premiership.
However, that stint ended in late 2020 with the club struggling at the foot of the table.
Since then, the 41-year-old has gained valuable top-division experience, having enhanced his resume with a solid run at Motherwell and a brief tenure at Kilmarnock.
Tactically, Kettlewell is known for organisation and youth development.
He originally cut his teeth by coaching County's U20s to a Development League title, and his senior teams have typically been well-drilled and hard-working.
That emphasis on structure and team spirit could be what Ross County needs to stop their free fall.
With Kettlewell now available after departing Kilmarnock at the weekend, a return to Dingwall could offer a mutual chance of redemption.
His knowledge of the club's culture and expectations would allow him to hit the ground running.
It's no surprise that local media have touted him as a possible front-runner for the vacancy – bringing back the man who once led County to Championship glory is a storyline many supporters could get behind.
Billy Dodds
Billy Dodds would be a hugely popular and logical appointment if Ross County are looking for someone who understands Scottish football - and the pressures that come with it.
The former Inverness CT boss did an outstanding job guiding Caley Thistle to the 2023 Scottish Cup Final while overseeing a strong Championship campaign despite severe financial constraints.
His ability to organise, motivate and overachieve with limited resources ticks plenty of boxes for a club like County.
Dodds is known for setting his teams up to be hard to beat, particularly in big games, while also getting the best out of experienced pros and emerging talent.
He also knows the Highlands well, understands the local rivalry, and would arrive with instant buy-in from supporters.
From a betting angle, Dodds makes sense as a safe, sensible option - a manager who can stabilise results quickly rather than needing a long bedding-in period.
Out of work and available, Dodds would come without compensation and with plenty of goodwill in Scottish football circles.
If Ross County want someone proven at the Championship level who can squeeze every ounce out of a squad, Dodds looks a contender in the next-manager market.
Mark Fotheringham
Mark Fotheringham represents the left-field, modern-thinking option for Ross County - and one that could appeal if the club want a fresh direction.
The former Scotland U21 international has built his coaching career across Europe, working in Germany, Austria and England, and most notably serving as assistant manager at Huddersfield Town before stepping up as head coach in the Championship.
While his spell as Huddersfield boss ended prematurely, Fotheringham gained valuable experience managing at a high level and working with data-driven recruitment models - something increasingly relevant for clubs operating on tight budgets.
Tactically, he favours high-intensity pressing, structure without the ball, and quick transitions, an approach that could suit Ross County's personnel and the demands of survival football.
After a short spell assisting Martin O'Neil at Celtic, Fotheringham is available, ambitious, and keen to re-establish himself in management.
If County opt for a progressive appointment with international experience and something to prove, Fotheringham could be a value play.
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