Ross County, Aberdeen, Dunfermline Athletic and Kilmarnock former manager Jimmy Calderwood dies at age of 69 - He was also manager of Willem II Tilburg, NEC Nijmegen, Go Ahead Eagles and De Graafschap
FORMER Ross County manager Jimmy Calderwood has died at the age of 69.
Calderwood who took charge of Ross County for a brief period in 2011, was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2017.
Calderwood was appointed in charge of the Staggies in February 2011 until the end of the season when he guided them to eighth place in the old Scottish First Division.
He took over after Willie McStay left the club by mutual consent after just three months in charge. Calderwood left the role at the end of the 2010/11 season when Derek Adams took charge.
Ross County paid tribute on social media to their former manager on Sunday.
They wrote: “Everyone at Ross County FC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former manager, Jimmy Calderwood.
“The thoughts of all at the club are with Jimmy’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
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Calderwood managed a number of clubs in Scotland and the Netherlands.
In the late 90’s he was manager of Willem II Tilburg and NEC Nijmegen before taking up his first managerial job in Scotland at Dunfermline Athletic in 1999. He led the Pars to the Scottish First Division title in his first season in charge and promotion to the Premiership. He also guided Dunfermline to the Scottish Cup final in 2004 where they lost 3-1 to Celtic.
The following season he replaced Steve Paterson as manager of Aberdeen where he remained until the end of the 2008/09 campaign. He guided the Dons through the group stages of the Europa League in the 2007/08 season and into the last 32 where they famously drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich at Pittodrie in 2008 before losing the second leg 5-1.
Calderwood also took charge of Kilmarnock in 2010 before his brief stint as boss at Ross County in 2011.
He returned to the Netherlands in 2012 to become manager of Go Ahead Eagles and De Graafschap in 2014.
During his playing career, Calderwood, who was born in Glasgow, signed for English club Birmingham City in 1972. The midfielder spent eight seasons at St Andrew’s Stadium before moving to the Netherlands to play for Sparta Rotterdam in 1980. He also played for Willem II Tilburg, Roda JC and Heracles Almelo.
He also played for Scotland at under-23 level.
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