ROSS County have surprisingly announced the sacking of boss Jim McIntyre.
The 45-year-old was named manager of the year just 18 months ago after leading the club to its first ever major trophy with their 2016 League Cup triumph.
But having taken just one win from his side’s opening seven Ladbrokes Premiership games, chairman Roy MacGregor has decided enough is enough.
McIntyre’s assistant Billy Dodds has also been axed, with the club’s youth academy director Steven Ferguson stepping up to become caretaker manager.
The Staggies board said in a statement: “Ross County Football Club have today taken the decision to part company with Jim McIntyre and his assistant, Billy Dodds, with immediate effect.
“We would like to thank Jim and Billy for their dedication and hard work during their time at the club and in particular would like to acknowledge their achievement in guiding the club to winning its first piece of major silverware. We wish them both well for the future.
“Steven Ferguson, Academy Director, will step in as Caretaker Manager.
“The board will now begin the recruitment process and will make no further comment until that process is completed.”
The move will shock many, who felt McIntyre had performed admirably during his three-year stint in the Highlands.
The former Dunfermline and Queen of the South manager replaced Derek Adams in September 2014.
McIntyre did not get off to the best of starts in his time at the helm at the Global Energy Stadium, and won just two of his first 21 games in charge. However, a strong finish with 10 victories from their final 14 games of the season saw County eventually end the campaign in ninth place.
His first full campaign in charge proved to be the most successful in the Dingwall side’s history as Alex Schalk’s last-minute winner handed them a 2-1 win over Hibernian in the League Cup final at Hampden Stadium.
He then went on to lead the Staggies to a top-six finish in the league that year.
However, McIntyre came under pressure at the start of last season as his side’s defence of their trophy ended early when they were knocked out at the inaugural Betfred Cup group stage.
Nonetheless, he bounced back, leading County to a respectable seventh-place finish in the league.
The loss of top scorer Liam Boyce during the summer was a blow to McIntyre’s hopes this season but, with County just one point above bottom spot, MacGregor has decided he cannot afford to let their sluggish start fester any longer.
St Mirren boss Jack Ross, former Dundee manager Paul Hartley and John Hughes – who previously led County’s Highland rivals Inverness – are among those likely to be considered for the post.
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