Former Wigan Athletic, Cardiff City, and Watford midfielder Don Cowie has left Scottish Championship side Ross County by mutual consent following a poor start to the season.
The announcement came after County’s 3-1 defeat to Partick Thistle, which leaves them bottom of the Championship and looking at a potential double relegation.
The Staggies were relegated from the Scottish Premiership after a defeat in the play-off final by Livingston in May, and have started this season poorly, with a draw against Airdrieonians and two defeats against St Johnstone and Partick.
What Did The Former Watford Man Say?
Former Watford man Cowie was only appointed a year ago following an interim spell in charge.
‘Unfortunately, the start to our Championship season hasn’t been up to the standard to which we all expected,’ he said, in a statement released by the club.
‘After conversations with the board, we have mutually agreed that it is in the best interests of the club that I would leave my position as manager.
‘I believe that the club has a squad of players capable of achieving its goal of returning to the Premiership and I wish them the best for the season ahead.’
‘In two spells I have spent over 15 years playing, coaching and managing this fantastic football club, and it has been an absolute privilege.
‘A big thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me throughout my time at the club.’
What The CEO Said
In the statement, County Chief Executive Steven Ferguson said: ‘On behalf of everyone at the club, I want to express our gratitude to Don.
‘He has conducted himself with great integrity throughout his tenure and has played an important role in developing both the squad and the culture of the football club.
‘We wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.
‘The focus of everyone at the club remains on securing our position in the Scottish Premiership.’
The club confirmed that the hunt for Cowie’s replacement would begin soon.
42 year old Cowie played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hearts as well as Ross County, and made ten international appearances for Scotland between 2009 to 2012.
He joined Watford in February 2009, making his debut in a fifth round FA Cup tie against Chelsea. He scored his first goal in a league match against Crystal Palace later that month, and went on to make 88 appearances for Watford, scoring nine goals.
Cowie joined Cardiff in July 2011 and helped the Bluebirds reach their first cup final in the League Cup, which they lost on penalties to Liverpool. He made 86 appearances in his three year stint with Cardiff, scoring six goals. He moved to Wigan after turning down a new contract at Cardiff, and made 37 appearances for the Latics, without scoring.
After hanging up his boots in June 2020, Cowie moved into coaching and became assistant manager to Malky Mackay at Ross County. He became interim manager of the Staggies after Derek Adams resigned in February 2024, and won a relegation play-off against Raith Rovers in May of that year, which won him the job on a permanent basis.
There are a couple of interesting names in the frame to replace Cowie at Ross County. One is Scott Brown, the former Celtic and Scotland captain who is now in charge of Ayr United, and the other, ironically, is Derek Adams, who was recently sacked by Morecambe following their takeover. If Adams was to take over, it would be his fourth spell in charge of County.
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