New Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell admits he turned down jobs elsewhere in search for the perfect opportunity. The 40-year-old was appointed as the successor to Derek McInnes a fortnight ago after a four-month break from the game following his exit from Motherwell. The former Ross County and ‘Well gaffer stood down from the Fir Park hotseat, in part, due to abuse he was receiving from supporters. Upon taking the Killie gig, he confessed he had no desire to just jump back into the game at the first chance and waited for an ideal situation to arise. Carlisle United was one job he elected to turn down, with The Cumbrians eventually handing over the reins to former Wales boss Mark Hughes. He failed to keep them in the Football League as the side suffered a second straight relegation. Reflecting on not taking up that offer, Kettlewell said: “Carlisle was an opportunity that came up very quickly for me. There’s been kind of two or three options there, nothing against the clubs, nothing against the opportunities. “If we speak about that particular job, there was lots right about it. I think the ownership there and the backing has been really, really good but I think that sometimes you need to go on your gut feeling as to whether you think it’s the right thing. “That’s not in fear of the situation that you would have been inheriting, it’s just making sure that you can try and put your stamp on it.” He added: “I may or may not have been right with the decision I’ve made on a couple of jobs that have come and the opportunities that have been presented to me. “There is a bit of gut feeling in it and I think there’s also a bit of weighing up everything that surrounds the football club. It’s not just about working in football for me, it’s trying to work in the right job. “I love the game, I love management, but I think a lot of people just want to be in football to be able to tell somebody I work in the game. That’s not really ever been a thing for me. “I want to see the successes and I want to see the fruits of your labour at the other end of that and I want to see people prosper from within that. That’s kind of how my mindsets always work.” Killie’s new man in charge has a decent track record in developing young talent and led the way in minutes for under-21 players at Motherwell. And he’s hoping that is something he can bring to Rugby Park, saying: “I came through at Queen’s Park where young players were given an opportunity and I was a young captain. “And then once I got into coaching, I went and started working with the under-20s at Ross County and got a lot of success there. “That’s always been a part of my pathway and my thought process is to try and give those opportunities. “They come in different ways, sometimes you sign a rough diamond and you feel that you give them a facility because I always speak about just being a facilitator. “Bobby Wales and David Watson here are two good examples in recent times. There’s been plenty more before that, you just want to take your own version of it on.” Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here