Alessio sacking tough but fair claims Fowler
Kilmarnock’s new head of football operations, James Fowler, says his own experience of getting the sack helped him deliver the bad news to Angelo Alessio.
The Rugby Park club axed their manager last Tuesday, a move the Italian has since described as “very strange” given they were sitting in fifth place in the Premiership atthetime.
Fowler, though, insists Killie were nothing if not honest in their dealings with him.
“We had Angelo in the office and did it face to face. We explained our reasons and thoughts on it. That’s the way it should be done,” he said.
“Listen, it is never nice having to inform someone they’ve lost their job but it is part of my role now to move the club forward.
“And having been on theothersideofit,Ihada view on how it should be done.
“At Queen of the South, I thought I did alright as manager but didn’t get another contract.
“I’ll be forever grateful to Jack Ross for giving me an opportunity because I was out of football for five months.
“So, it is a difficult conversation to have. I spoke to the board about how I’d like to be told, having gone through it myself.”
As in all occupations, plenty of people make the move from poacher to gamekeeper in football.
At 39, though, Fowler is still young enough to remember his time as a player.
“The transition has been interesting,” said the Scot, who made more than 400 appearances for Kilmarnock.
“That first week, you think to yourself: ‘Have I done the right thing’? You get so much information thrown at you.
“But that’s me in the job five weeks now so I’m finding my feet.
“Having someone in this position helps with the stability of the club.
“I hadn’t really thought about a job like this. However, I helped Jack with recruitment at St Mirren and to a certain extent at Sunderland.
“So I have always been keen on that side of things. I came to a Kilmarnock game and I was asked what my plans were.
“All my family were back up the road by that point which was a big factor.
“We’d moved to Sunderland, stayed for a year, and then came back up. My oldest started high school this year as well.
“Football can be a selfish game as a player but also as a coach.
“When I was out of the game, I thought something would come up. But financially, your savings dwindle and you get a fright.
“I ended up labouring for a Killie fan who was on my testimonial committee. It got to the stage where I had to get out of the house and earn money.
“It was only for a matter of weeks before I got the chance at St Mirren.
“So I’m trying to give a little bit back to my family.
“I still don’t see them that much but they know I’m coming home at night – they just can’t be sure what time!”