Is Paatelainen the man to manage Kilmarnock?

BBC tipping him for Rugby Park post.

Escaping relegation by virtue of a lifted shot by Falkirk’s Ryan Flynn, Kilmarnock know that they need to up their game to avoid another relegation dogfight this season. Temporary boss Jimmy Calderwood decided that the budget was not enough for him to return to managing the side this season which has seen Kilmarnock continue their search for a new boss.

Many felt that when St Mirren parted company with Gus McPherson, an ex-Killie player who was popular at Rugby Park, he would step into the position. This is not something the BBC agree with, with their website indicating that former Cowdenbeath and Hibs manager, not to mention Frank Black lookalike, Mixu Paatelainen is in line to be appointed tomorrow.

Read the BBC story here:

We’re not sure if the budget is to Mixu’s liking, maybe the promise of a wheelbarrow of Killie Pies has increased his hunger for the post!

Right, thats the puns over and done with, if Mixu does take the job, it is going to be a hard season ahead.

There isn’t much money at Rugby Park and with Kevin Kyle away, there is a need for a new frontman to come in and lead the line for the Ayrshire club. Mixu only lasted a season and a half in charge at Easter Road, a short time when you consider how much of a hero he was to the fans down Leith way.

A hat-trick against your city rivals is likely to guarantee anyone a star status but Paatelainen resigned in May 2009, feeling he couldn’t go any further with Hibs. John Hughes came in and brought about a whirlwind start to the club.

They may have faltered in the second half of the season but in claiming a European spot, Hibs showed clear improvement under Hughes compared to the reign under their Finnish hero.

It maybe indicates our diminished memory but we are struggling to think of that many bright spots for Hibs under Mixu…but maybe at Rugby Park, where a more pragmatic approach and lower expectations from the home crowd will give Paatelainen more time to mould a team.

Killie did themselves a massive favour by staying up last season but it’s not as if that final day draw, solved their money worries, there are definitely harsh days ahead for Killie this season but maybe some bright spots as well.

Of course, Mixu Paatelainen has impressed many people in a long football career in Britain but we were most impressed by his spell at Coroner’s Office in Bolton.

Can he help resurrect Killie from their near-death situation?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.