Source: FOOTYMAD
Sheils Wants The Top Job
Keeny Sheils knows the secret behind Killie's recent success and wants to show he can deliver more of the same if given the chance. Kenny Shiels is keen to take the next step on his managerial career by slipping into the seat recently vacated by Mixu Paatelainen and become his permanent successor at Kilmarnock. Killie chairman Michael Johnston has placed assistant manager Shiels in control of the Ayrshire club "for its forthcoming SPL matches" after Paatelainen was announced as the Finland national team manager. Former Coleraine and Ballymena manager Shiels, who joined Paatelainen at Rugby Park last summer after a spell as Tranmere's head of youth, has been at the centre of Killie's massive improvement in the last couple of seasons to all-but guarantee them a top-six spot in the SPL this season. The Irishman is aware that the usual suspects to be linked with the post will include more high-profile names but he believes appointing him on a full-time basis would be a "good decision for the board." Shiels said: "It doesn't show on this face but I'm pleased. I have my aspirations to meet challenges and being the manager of Kilmarnock is one of those challenges I would like to meet. To take it on a full-time basis would be fantastic for the players and myself. I feel it would be a good decision for the board. That's a little bit egotistical but certainly, where I'm at, I would think it would be a great opportunity for me. Michael is on holiday in Gran Canaria but he asked me to steer the ship until such time as an appointment is made. I understand there will be a lot of applicants and I also know the board has to make the decision in the best interests of the club. But Mixu and I have the same philosophy. The template that we have worked off was put together by Mixu and me. That has always been the way my teams have played no matter where I've been. When I took Coleraine and Ballymena into Europe we played that way and I don't see any reason why it should change. So hopefully I can influence the board by sustaining the continuity." Shiels, whose first game in charge of Killie will be taking on St Johnstone away from home on Saturday, revealed that Paatelainen had "mixed emotions" about leaving the Rugby Park club. He said: "Mixu is sad to leave. He is a conscientious person and has pride in what he does. So he is juggling the emotions of happiness and sadness. He is really happy and proud to be offered the manager's job of his country. But he is sad to leave behind a job in progress and so he has mixed emotions."
