Tony Docherty Named New Ross County Manager
Ross County have made headlines with the appointment of Tony Docherty as their new manager, marking the beginning of what the club hopes will be a fresh and successful chapter. The 54-year-old, who was most recently in charge at Dundee, steps into the role after Don Cowie’s departure earlier this season.
Docherty’s managerial journey has been anything but straightforward. At Dundee, he guided the side to a top-six finish in the 2023–24 season, earning himself nominations for both PFA Scotland Manager of the Year and the Scottish Football Writers’ award. However, the following campaign ended in disappointment, with Dundee finishing 10th, and Docherty was dismissed. Now, just a few months later, he’s been handed the responsibility of leading Ross County back to the Premiership after their relegation and play-off defeat to Livingston in May.
Also Read:Before stepping into management, Docherty built his reputation as a trusted assistant. He spent years alongside Derek McInnes, working at clubs such as St Johnstone, Bristol City, Aberdeen, and Kilmarnock. That grounding in coaching and team building is seen as a key part of what he brings to the Highland club now.
Ross County’s Chief Executive, Steven Ferguson, described Docherty as someone who brings “a wealth of experience and proven leadership” while also fitting in with the club’s long-term vision. Ferguson emphasized that Docherty’s willingness to immerse himself in the community and club culture was a major factor in the decision. According to him, this appointment isn’t just about results on the pitch, but also about creating stability and connection off it.
The timing of this change was important for Ross County. Cowie had departed after a shaky start to life in the Championship, where two defeats and a draw set an uneasy tone for the season. Interim boss John Robertson briefly steadied the ship with a draw at Dunfermline, but the search for a permanent leader was always underway. Docherty was chosen from what the club described as an “exceptional” list of applicants, a sign of both his credibility and the ambition of Ross County to bounce straight back into Scotland’s top flight.
Fans of the Staggies will now be eager to see how Docherty reshapes the team, instills his approach, and steers the club toward promotion. For him, the task is clear: rebuild confidence, create consistency, and prove once again that his skills as a manager can deliver results.
The club thanked Robertson for stepping in with professionalism during a difficult transition, but now all eyes are firmly on Docherty. His appointment has been framed as the start of a new era, and the message from the leadership is one of optimism and determination. Whether that translates into a quick return to Premiership football will soon be tested, but the tone at Ross County is clear—they believe Tony Docherty is the man to take them there.
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