By Euan Moore

It wasn’t third time lucky for Derek Adams in Dingwall (Image: Getty Images)

In the wake of Derek Adams’ resignation as Ross County manager, the question on the lips of all County fans is the same: Who is next?

Adams lasted just 12 games in what was a difficult and underwhelming spell in charge (spanning just 79 days.)

County now faces the same task they faced just over three months ago, finding the right man for the job. So, who is in the frame for the job at Victoria Park?

Jack Ross

Jack Ross has been out of the dugout since he departed from Dundee United in August 2022 but has Premiership experience after previous stints with St Mirren and Hibernian, having good spells at both. He guided St Mirren to a dominant season in the Championship, finishing 12 points ahead of nearest title contenders Livingston.

Ross then took over at Sunderland, guiding them to the League One play-off final where the Black Cats lost to Charlton. Ross’s contract was then terminated in 2019, leaving Sunderland sixth in England’s third tier.

He returned to Scotland, taking over as Hibernian manager just a month after his dismissal at Sunderland. In his first full season at the Hibees, he took them to a League Cup semi-final and guided them to a third-place finish (the club's highest finish in sixteen years). Ross, however, was dismissed just over four months into the new season after a run of seven defeats in nine league games He is currently head of coach development at Newcastle United and may well be interested in a return to a league with which he is very familiar.

Steven Davis

Northern Ireland’s most capped player has already had a taste of a Scottish Premiership dugout (Image: Getty Images)

Having recently announced his retirement from football and intention to enter coaching, Steven Davis could present a very interesting opportunity as the man to be in the County dugout, having briefly been in charge of Rangers after the sacking of Michael Beale earlier this season.

In his two games in charge of Rangers, Davis lined his team up in a 4-3-3 formation with emphasis on attacking, Davis also showed he isn’t afraid to trust youth, handing teenage stars Zak Lovelace and Ross McCausland their full debuts. McCausland has now become a regular fixture on Rangers’ right-hand side featuring in seventeen league matches and scoring once.

Davis doesn’t have much in terms of a resume when it comes to coaching, but he can provide an exciting attacking style.

Don Cowie

Newly appointed interim coach Don Cowie will be a name that the Staggies consider in their search for a new man in charge, having been the assistant to County’s two previous managers, he could provide a financially sensible option for the club.

Cowie has been involved at the club in a coaching role since his retirement in 2020, and in turn, will be close to the current squad and a popular appointment within the dressing room.

Naturally, he will have seen the current issues with the squad and could bring his ideas to the fore and build a positive atmosphere at the club to try to escape the relegation scrap the club find themselves in.

Rhys McCabe

The final potential candidate Ross County might look to could be Rhys McCabe. He is currently player-manager of Airdrieonians and has the Diamonds punching well above their weight with the club currently sitting fifth in the Championship table.

Despite being 31 years old, McCabe has displayed excellent tactical know-how with Airdrie greatly praised for their positive style of football.

The Diamonds have an emphasis on fast possession-based football, averaging the second most possession per game with 53% per 90 behind league leaders Dundee United who have 55.4% per 90. Airdrie have averaged the most completed passes per 90 with 389 followed in second by Dundee United who have 357 per 90.

McCabe would be seen as a forward-thinking appointment for the Staggies, by putting trust into such a young coach to stamp his style onto the club and attempt to avoid relegation and build for the future.

City Live’s Pick – Jack Ross

We think Jack Ross rises above the rest and is the leading candidate (Image: Getty Images)

Although both Davis and McCabe would provide the potential for exciting high-octane football and Cowie would be the shrewd financial option for the club, it is evident Ross County requires an experienced manager to come in and steady the ship.

Saying that makes it difficult to look past Jack Ross as the next manager of the club. Ross could be seen as a very safe route for the club to take given how well-acquainted he is with the Scottish Premiership. With County being dragged into a relegation dogfight, he will offer the tactical know-how required to help the club escape the drop.

Who is the man to help steady the ship at Ross County?