Jimmy Nicholl followed Calderwood when he took over as manager at Aberdeen, again serving as his assistant until the two parted company with the club in May 2009. He resumed his partnership with Calderwood at Kilmarnock in 2010. Nicholl was appointed manager of Cowdenbeath in June 2010, but he left Cowdenbeath at the end of the 2010–11 season after they were relegated from the First Division. Nicholl was then appointed assistant manager of Kilmarnock for a second time, by Kenny Shiels on 15 June 2011. Kilmarnock won the 2011–12 Scottish League Cup under Shiels and Nicholl, but Shiels was sacked by Kilmarnock
Kenny Shiels performance. A week after a memorable win over Celtic, Shiels would report referee Euan Norris of making inappropriate comments, following a 2-1 default against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, which Norris would send-off Cammy Bell. His support even attracted FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce, suggesting that SFA should hire Shiels. His remark also led to Shiels given a five-match touchline ban after disciplinary hearing with the SFA. Following this, Shiels then appealed against his decision, but will serve his touchline ban. Another referee, Andrew Dallas, reaction on Shiels allegations as extremely "surprised and disappointed". Shiels would response Dallas' comment by accusing him of