Ross County manager Don Cowie has hailed the job Stuart Kettlewell performed at Motherwell and backed the Staggies legend to back in management soon.
Cowie brings his charges to Fir Park on Saturday as the Premiership resumes, but the Steelmen have still to find a successor for Kettlewell following his shock resignation last month.
The 40-year-old quit over the abuse he was subjected to from a section of supporters and the impact it was having on his family.
Stephen Frail is now in caretaker charge and will hope to arrest a four-game losing run when County come calling.
It is a streak that has seen the Steelmen slip to sixth in the Premiership, but Cowie has praised Kettlewell’s work at Fir Park and believes he won’t be out of the game for long.
Cowie, who worked under Kettlewell as a player and a coach, told the Ross-Shire Journal : “From a personal point of view, I see Stuart as a friend. I worked under him as a coach when he was manager, and I still keep in contact with him.
“I believe he is an excellent manager who did an excellent job at Motherwell. For him to make that decision means that it became too much.
“Working closely with him, I seen the passion he has got for football, as well as the work ethic he’s got in terms of what he puts into it.
“So, for it to reach that point, is disappointing, but you respect his decision.
“I have no doubt in the near future that Stuart will be manager of another club, because he did an excellent job.”
On the subject of shouts from fans being ‘part and parcel’ of football, Cowie added: “When you are the manager, which I am at this football club, you are so engrossed in the game, you’re unaware of what’s happening.
“I am certainly focused on what’s going on, which means you maybe don’t realise the impact on members of your family when people are giving their opinions within a stadium.
“I don’t think I will ever be able to grasp that. You’re, as the manager, looking towards the pitch, you’re not aware of what’s going on behind you.
“You just have to respect what your family members are going through at that moment and that’s obviously what’s happened with regards to Stuart’s family.
“It’s really disappointing. We all love football and we’re passionate about it, that’s why we’re here.
“We have our opinions and that’s why we love football. We all see it differently, but when it crosses the line and becomes abusive, then no one needs to tolerate that.”