Source: Team_Talk
Killie chief gives up on Kean hopes
Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston has conceded defeat in his bid to appoint Steve Kean as the club's new manager.[LNB] Johnston has failed to negotiate Kean's release from Blackburn, where he is currently first-team coach, despite having been hopeful of coming up with a deal that would avoid paying the Premier League club a reported £200,000 in compensation.[LNB]With his number one choice now out of the picture, Johnston has begun sifting through other applications, which he claims have come from across the globe.[LNB]Indeed, there are reports Germany's World Cup and European Championship-winning midfielder Thomas Hassler has put himself forward for interview, while former Romania boss Victor Piturca is also said to have declared an interest.[LNB]Johnston told the Daily Record: "Kean is no longer an option but other names are coming in from all over the world.[LNB]"I'm open minded on who we turn to next. Pre-season training begins on July 5 and maybe it's time we went for a fresh approach after years of following a more traditional path.[LNB]"I'm not going to exclude anyone on the grounds of geography."[LNB]Gus MacPherson, who was sacked by St Mirren last month, has also been heavily linked with his former club.[LNB]Johnston said: "Gus was put to us by a third party. He is out of contract and time is against us.[LNB]"I'd hoped to be in a position to name a new manager this week but that will be impossible."
