Kilmarnock Owner Billy Bowie Bids Farewell to Derek McInnes Following Hearts Switch
Kilmarnock owner Billy Bowie has offered a heartfelt tribute to Derek McInnes after the manager’s official move to Hearts was confirmed.
McInnes has penned a four-year deal with the Tynecastle club, taking over as head coach from Neil Critchley. He was unveiled in Gorgie on Monday, a day after missing the final game of the Premiership season — a fixture between his former and future sides — following a mutual decision for him to stay out of the dugout.
Both Hearts and Kilmarnock released statements confirming the agreement, with the Ayrshire club noting that an undisclosed compensation package had been settled. In his message, Bowie praised McInnes for his impact at Rugby Park, particularly highlighting his role in returning Kilmarnock to the European stage through a top-six finish.
Bowie said: “Derek’s contributions to the club will long be remembered. His influence both on and off the pitch has left a lasting legacy. We thank him sincerely for everything he has done.”
Kilmarnock also issued a formal statement reflecting on McInnes’ three-year spell at the club, which began in January 2022. The statement recalled key moments of his tenure, including immediate promotion from the Championship, back-to-back top-flight finishes, and European qualification.
“Derek has played a vital part in our progress over the last three years,” the club said. “We’d like to express our gratitude for all he has accomplished during his time at BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park.”
In his first address as Hearts manager, McInnes spoke warmly of his time with Kilmarnock, saying he left with no regrets and plenty of positive memories.
“I’ve nothing to apologise for — I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Kilmarnock,” he said. “It’s a fantastic club where I built strong relationships and experienced great moments. Naturally, these decisions come with emotion and difficulty.”
McInnes revealed that once Hearts’ interest became known, he was upfront with Bowie, stating he didn’t want to leave until Kilmarnock’s top-flight status was secured. With the season now over, he felt it was the right time to take the next step.
“The opportunity to manage Hearts ticks every box for me,” he added. “I’ve always admired this club and believe it’s a perfect match. Their ambition aligns with mine — I want to win trophies, bring sustained success, and meet the expectations of everyone involved with Hearts.”
