Motherwell pulled the plug on the Graham Alexander regime on Friday after the Lanarkshire membership have been knocked out the Europa Convention League in a 3-0 mixture defeat to Sligo Rovers. Alexander was appointed in January 2021 and helped them escape relegation in his first marketing campaign in cost nevertheless persistence had rapidly been operating skinny throughout the Properly fanbase since after a run of solely 5 wins of their final 23 aggressive outings.
A membership assertion learn: "Graham requested to talk with us early on Friday morning, and everybody agreed that it might be greatest to make a change. We requested Graham to reverse our fortunes when he arrived eighteen months in the past and he did that, earlier than a very strong begin to his first full season at Fir Park laid the foundations for what finally led to a fifth place end and European soccer.
“Nevertheless, issues haven’t gone as properly for a spell in 2022 and though the timing shouldn't be preferrred, we hope a change will result in recent impetus for everybody forward of the 2022/23 season. I want to place on document our honest because of Graham and Chris for all their laborious work and energy and want them each success of their future careers.”
The Steelmen are an formidable membership who have not been shy to attempt new concepts on and off the pitch in current seasons and have regarded south previously with the appointments of Ian Baraclough and Stephen Robinson. Report Sport runs the rule over 5 potential contenders for the Fir Park emptiness as Motherwell prepare to maneuver rapidly to discover a alternative forward of their Premiership opener in opposition to St Mirren on Sunday.
Owen Coyle
Ex-Properly star Coyle is at present in command of Queens Park as they embark of their first season within the Scottish Championship after again to again promotions. And there is optimism within the air on the Spiders with nice funding behind the scenes so it could take a profitable supply to lure the previous Bolton supervisor away.
Premiership soccer may very well be that lure though with CEO Leanne Dempster's formidable plans and Lesser Hampden at present being rebuilt, Coyle could be left with an enormous resolution if Motherwell come calling and may very well be seen as a protected pair of palms to regular the ship.
Steven Hammell
Motherwell have introduced Hammell as interim supervisor alongside underneath 18s coach Brian Kerr because the membership search for a alternative. And whereas he'd be an outsider at this stage, it isn't unparalleled for caretaker bosses to make the job their very own with a run of spectacular outcomes.
Hammell was inducted into the Motherwell Corridor of Fame final 12 months and is the membership's post-war document look holder. Since retiring from soccer, he has additionally held the function of academy director with the Steelmen.
Alan Stubbs
Even Stubbs himself would admit his time with St Mirren in 2018 did not go to plan and that nightmare with the Buddies adopted an unsuccessful stint with Rotherham. Nevertheless his time with Hibs was properly price remembering because the amiable Scouser produced a aspect able to thrilling soccer.
The 50-year-old would recognize the possibility to construct new recollections past that thrilling Scottish Cup Remaining win in 2016. Stubbs will doubtless really feel he has a degree to show in Scottish soccer after his short-lived stint in Paisley.
Kevin Thomson
Thomson has emerged as one of the crucial promising younger managers within the Scottish sport. After retiring in 2016, the 37-year-old has labored with former membership Rangers as a youth coach earlier than being appointed as supervisor of Kelty Hearts in Might 2021, changing former team-mate Barry Ferguson, who left Kelty to develop into supervisor of Alloa Athletic
Thomson then guided Kelty to the 2021–22 Scottish League Two title till he resigned after a 12 months within the scorching seat. He has since been linked with a variety of vacant managerial posts, together with Dundee, Hartlepool and Raith Rovers however because it stands, he's nonetheless and not using a membership.
Simo Valakari
The previous Motherwell star admitted simply final 12 months it might be a "dream" for him to handle the membership.
He mentioned: “I miss Motherwell,” he mentioned, “I had a lovely 4 years there taking part in and the expertise of Scottish soccer, taking part in these large matches in opposition to Rangers, Celtic, and groups like that, so it was good.
“I don’t know if I used to be shut [to getting the job] however my ambition is sooner or later to teach overseas.
“I’ve carried out that already in Norway for 3 years [at Tromso], however to have the ability to coach within the UK or in Scotland could be my dream, as a result of I actually liked the soccer and the tradition.
“Motherwell all the time has a particular place in my coronary heart, as a result of that was the primary skilled workforce I performed for, and I had an excellent reference to the followers and issues like that.
“Sometime to handle them could be a dream.
“I'd love the chance, however I must be profitable at what I do and perhaps sooner or later I'll get the possibility.”
Valakari is at present supervisor of Kuopion Palloseura in Finland and has steered them to the highest of the Veikkausliiga - may now be the time for his dream to return true?
Stephen Robinson
Might Motherwell be tempted to return to the longer term with their subsequent appointment? Former supervisor Robinson is having a tricky time of it at St Mirren and he introduced some good instances to Fir Park in his unique stint.
Whether or not they may persuade the Northern Irishman to return is one other factor, thoughts you. Maybe much more tough to persuade could be the supporters who, at this stage, can be anticipating a recent face to take the membership ahead.
However with Robinson nonetheless in Scotland and aware of the membership, the Fir Park board may contemplate him of their discussions.
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