Kenny Black to stay as Airdrie United manager

Feb 3 2010 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

UNDER-FIRE gaffer Kenny Black is to remain in charge of Airdrie.

Furious Diamonds fans rounded on the beleagured manager last Wednesday night after his side crashed out of the Scottish Cup to Raith Rovers in humiliating fashion.

Supporters demanded Black’s sacking and booed the team off the park following a dismal 3-1 replay defeat at New Broomfield. A small group continued protesting for several minutes at the main doors to the stadium.

The dire result cost Airdrie a significant five-figure sum and the opportunity to play SPL big guns Aberdeen in the fifth round of the Cup this Saturday.

Chairman Jim Ballantyne (pictured right) declined to comment this week but the Advertiser understands that there will be no change in the managerial situation at the club.

Black will continue to be charged with the task of trying to achieve the campaign’s ultimate goal of First Division survival. His side have won just three games all season.

It’s believed the board’s priority, at this moment in time, appears to be paying the bills. The Diamonds have played only two home games since December 12, with gate receipts from the Raith match halved between the teams.

But the club’s decision to stick with the First Division’s longest-serving manager will infuriate fans who feel that Black has had enough time in attempting to turn around Airdrie’s ailing fortunes on the park.

The 46-year-old admitted his team’s second-half performance seven days ago was one of the lowest points of his managerial career but vowed to accept the flak heading his way and revealed he won’t quit his job.

“I can deal with the criticism from the sidelines,” he said. “The supporters get frustrated when they see their team losing and, when that happens, they target the manager.

“I am looking for my players to go out and express themselves and I will try and shield them as best I can. But there are times when you need a little bit of help from them.

“I expected a greater sense of urgency at half-time last Wednesday when faced with the prospect of going out of the Cup. But we got what we deserved in the end.

“There is a hardcore element who want things to change at the club and the only way we can change opinions is by getting results.

“The fans vented their feelings very strongly after the Cup loss and it was the most vocal criticism they have directed towards us.”

A section of the crowd sang ‘Black must go’ in the dying minutes of the Raith defeat and the boss said: “It’s disturbing to hear your name chanted in that manner. It’s difficult.

“People are paying good money to support the team and they were disappointed, like I was, with what they witnessed that night. It was a really big game for us, particularly financially.

“We are in a desperate situation but the only way we can get out of it is to stand up and be counted and accept responsibility.”

Airdrie’s league trip to Morton last Saturday was called off because of a frozen pitch, but the match will not be rearranged for this weekend, even though both sides are idle. Black would have been missing Bobby Donnelly (suspension) and Diarmuid O’Carroll (injury).

Despite recording 16 losses in 24 games thus far, the manager is still intent on avoiding the dreaded drop as he begins preparations for the visit to Partick Thistle on February 13.

He added: “We still have everything in our own hands. But we have to put pressure on our rivals by winning games.

“Nobody is more desperate than me for Airdrie to remain in the First Division. The club staying at this level, regardless of how we do it, is my sole priority.”

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