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Welcome home Robbo! Inverness Caledonian Thistle have announced that their new manager will be a familiar face. It's thirteen years since he last managed at the Caledonian Stadium but he's back. It's Robbo who has emerged from the silence of the boardroom to be named as the man given the task of getting Inverness back into the Premiership, something he achieved thirteen years ago. John Robertson has been here before and was in charge when we were promoted to the top league in 2004, but not before some ammendments to the rules that saw stadium criteria altered in favour of smaller clubs, much to the annoyance of Partick Thistle at the time who were set to benefit from these archaic rules. Robertson began his full managerial career at Inverness in 2002 before returning to Tynecastle two years later having got Inverness promoted to the Scottish Premier League in season 2003/2004, when we pipped Clyde on the final day to send the helicopter flying North to Inverness with the silverware. What a day that was! He was lured to Tynecastle in November 2005, but when the new regime arrived, Robbo was deemed surplus to requirements. After leaving Hearts in 2005 amid the management takeover, Robertson had short spells at Ross County, Livingston and Derry City. Robbo took over at Bayview in 2010. The highlight of his tenure at Methil saw East Fife knock Aberdeen out of the Scottish Communities League Cup on penalties. Robertson was an enthusiastic coach first time round, but his lack of managerial positions in recent years has some fans reserving judgement. However, I'm sure we all wish him the best of luck in this appointment as he will need to get back up to speed pretty quickly given that the season kicks off with a League Cup game at home to Brechin City on Saturday 15th July. Early statement from the Board at Inverness Caledonian Thistle Inverness Caledonian Thistle are today delighted to announce John Robertson as their new Manager. Chairman Willie Finlayson commented "we had an excellent interview process with some strong candidates but John emerged as our unanimous choice. We were hugely impressed with his tremendous drive, determination, communication and motivational skills. He clearly has a great knowledge of the game in Scotland and is both well respected and connected. We firmly believe he is the right man to lead us back into the Premier League. We would also like to thank Hearts for their very professional approach. John was doing a great job for them but they recognised his desire to get back into the dug out." More to follow as this breaking news unfolds.................... The repercussions of relegation don't come alone and staff reductions are becoming apparent as the new regime begins to shape the way forward. u20 coach Duncan Shearer has been removed from the payroll with Inverness not continuing with a development squad whilst in the championship division. Varying reports that this has become rather messy are clouding the issue, but Duncan Shearer has told the P&J that he is no longer required by the club. From P&J Shearer Leaving. Statement from ICTFC Shearer Leaving. It appears that Brian Rice will remain as assistant with Scott Kellagher as another coach.

New Manager Required, apply within. Richie Foran has left his position as Inverness manager after a disastrous season which has seen the club relegated. We almost escaped automatic relegation but missed out on the play-off position by just one point. We looked doomed around Xmas time, but a lack of activity from the board led to Foran remaining in his job until it was too late to avoid relegation. It was almost a year to the day that Foran was appointed in a blaze of optimism that a playing legend would be able to carry his winning style into the managers chair. It was a mainly popular appointment with most willing him to succeed and the rest wary of the pitfalls of handing a four year contract to an untried candidate. The season saw Inverness slump badly with only seven wins, three of them coming in the last four games. Many fans felt our squad was good enough to remain in the Premiership, but results speak for themselves and we enter the Championship for next season. Sadly, it has ended in this statement from the board today. The Board of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC announces, today, that Richie Foran has left his position as Manager of the Club. Willie Finlayson, Chairman, commented: “Richie has been a great servant to ICTFC and put 100% into his job as Manager; and previously as a player. We all thank him for his service and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.” More to follow as this story unfolds.