Inverness Caley Thistle sack head coach Billy Dodds and assistant manager Barry Wilson after nine-match winless run
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle have confirmed the departures of head coach Billy Dodds and assistant manager Barry Wilson.
Pressure had been building on Dodds after a nine-match winless run across all competitions, compounded this weekend with a first defeat in 23 years against Raith Rovers in the league.
That form has left the Caley Jags sitting bottom of the Championship table after five matches and out of the League Cup.
Dodds had overseen success in the Highland capital in previous seasons, though, leading ICT to the play-off final in 2021/22 and the Scottish Cup final in 2022/23.
Inverness sporting director John Robertson and head of youth development Charlie Christie will take charge of first team affairs as the search for a new head coach begins.
A statement from Caley Thistle said: "It is with much regret that the club has taken the decision to terminate the contracts of Head Coach Billy Dodds and his Assistant Manager Barry Wilson with immediate effect.
"In the first instance we would like to put on record our huge appreciation for the efforts of Billy since taking the position.
"His professionalism, attention to detail and positive attitude could never be faulted no matter the challenges we faced.
"The run to the Premiership play-off final in his first season was an epic effort which saw us only fall short in the final 45 minutes of the final and it goes without saying that reaching the Scottish Cup final for the second time in our 29-year history was a fantastic achievement, as was the performance of the team that day against the Scottish champions.
"It is important to note that this is not a decision which has been taken lightly and as our history shows, it is rarely the way managerial changes happen at Caledonian Stadium. We do not have a revolving door, nor a hire and fire at the drop of the hat attitude and we do not expect that to change going forward.
"That said, the CEO and full Board of Directors had been meeting regularly with Billy regarding performances, results, and our expectations and ambitions for this season. We were all determined to give ourselves the best possible chance to succeed. Our intention is always to be competing for promotion but as is repeated regularly in such circumstances we are in a results driven business and sadly, this seasons results have not reflected the quality we believe we have in the building.
"Assistant manager Barry Wilson is a club legend and he has more than ably served the club as player and coach. His many years here as both, and the respect with which he has been held, shows our appreciation of his service.
"Sometimes in football we have to make difficult decisions and both of the decisions outlined above fall very hard into that category.
"Sporting Director John Robertson and Academy Director Charlie Christie will take charge of the team in the interim period while we endeavour to find a new Head Coach in short order and applications will be accepted at footballdept@ictfc.co.uk.
"We have great plans for the club as we move towards our 30th year and indeed a bright future. More importantly we have a very good squad of players, many of whom were brought in over the last two years and they now have to step up and prove they are worthy of the plaudits they have all previously received to help both the interim football department staff and the new head coach, once appointed."
