Ross County Kettlewell returned to Ross County to coach their under-20 team in 2016. Under his management, County won the
2016–17 SPFL Development League. After
Owen Coyle resigned in March 2018, Kettlewell and academy director
Steve Ferguson were appointed co-managers at Ross County. Under their management, County won the
Scottish Championship title and lifted the
Scottish Challenge Cup trophy. This arrangement continued until June 2020, when Kettlewell was placed in sole control. Kettlewell was sacked on 19 December 2020, after a 2–0 defeat against
Hamilton left the club four points adrift at the bottom of the
2020–21 Scottish Premiership table and had won only one of their last 16 league games.
Motherwell On 3 October 2022, Kettlewell was appointed lead development coach at
Motherwell. He became their caretaker manager in February 2023, after
Steven Hammell was sacked. He led them to victories in their first two games, and then became their manager on a permanent basis on 22 February. In February 2024, Motherwell extended their contract with Kettlewell as their manager until May 2025. Kettlewell resigned as Motherwell manager on 27 January 2025 citing the personal abuse he and his family had received from some of the fans, and left the club fifth in the Premiership table.
Kilmarnock Kettlewell was appointed manager of
Kilmarnock in May 2025 after the departure of
Derek McInnes. On 15 December, after seven months in charge, Kettlewell departed with the club second bottom of the
Scottish Premiership table.
Return to Ross County Kettlewell returned to
Ross County for a second spell as manager on 30 December 2025. Under Kettlewell, County were relegated to
Scottish League One for the first time in 18 years. ==Managerial statistics==