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Stuart Kettlewell was in the stand serving a suspension as Kilmarnock lost on Sunday Kilmarnock say "change is required" after sacking manager Stuart Kettlewell following a 10-match winless run, including eight defeats, and the side sitting second bottom of the Scottish Premiership. Assistant Stevie Frail also departs Rugby Park and former Partick Thistle manager Kris Doolan has been placed in interim charge. Former Motherwell and Ross County boss Kettlewell, 41, replaced Hearts-bound Derek Mc Innes during the close season and enjoyed a positive start to the 2025-26 campaign. But, after six wins in 13, Killie lost six in a row and two more after a couple of draws, leaving the side three points above Livingston, who have a game in hand. This video can not be played Kilmarnock led at Pittodrie on Sunday but two late goals secured the three points for Aberdeen and left Kettlewell with a record of six wins, eight draws and nine defeats. The club thanked "Stuart and Stephen for their efforts during their time" at Rugby Park. And the club's board said in a statement: "This has been a difficult decision taken after careful consideration. "We believe there is plenty of quality in the squad and had hoped that results would turn around. Unfortunately change is now required to best serve the interests of Kilmarnock FC. "With an important run of festive fixtures about to get under way, starting this weekend at home to Falkirk, we hope all supporters can stick with us as we aim to get back to winning ways. " Aberdeen heap misery on Kilmarnock in comeback win Visit our Kilmarnock page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Kilmarnock news notifications in the BBC Sport app What fans, insiders and stats say about embattled Frank Barking out orders: Stokes wants England to 'show a bit of dog' Mount purring for Man Utd but does he have World Cup chance? Amanda and Alan return to Spain for a one-off Christmas special Jamie Oliver opens up about what he thinks is killing Britain Coming soon: Lord Sugar takes twelve celebrities to Lapland A flurry of nostalgic festive tunes from the 90s 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs 'Helping daddy regrow' - how Hoy family found strength amid cancer diagnosis. Video'Helping daddy regrow' - how Hoy family found strength amid cancer diagnosis More pressure piled on Frank as Forest outclass Spurs. Video More pressure piled on Frank as Forest outclass Spurs Vote for your Sports Personality Team of the Year Man City favourites and Liverpool in trouble - how WSL stands at winter break Mahomes tears ACL as Chiefs miss out on NFL play-offs Palmer & Foden on target - but Rogers 'has to start' at World Cup Liverpool 'united as one' after Salah return - Van Dijk 'Anger and disappointment' as fans priced out of World Cup 'Fantastic human' Russo shines in Arsenal win at Everton 'There can only be one singer' - my secrets of successful man-management 'This club can turn things around' - Bernardo Silva on Man City. Video'This club can turn things around' - Bernardo Silva on Man City BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 contenders. Video BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 contenders Barcelona 'not a pressure' for on-loan Rashford 'Mine was for social change, this is not' - King on Battle of the Sexes The man behind the headlines - Salah, by Klopp, Diaz and more World Darts Championship - Draw, seeds, prize money 'I hated rugby' - how Heyes turned around England career Biggest rule change ever and Brit teen - what's new in F1 in 2026? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.