Falkirk's John McGlynn is the early bookmakers' favourite to succeed Stuart Kettlewell, who resigned on Monday, as Motherwell manager, with former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, Livingston's David Martindale and Ayr United's Scott Brown also highly rated. (Herald - subscription), external
Stuart Kettlewell, who has now resigned as Motherwell boss, speaks to BBC Scotland for the final time during his Fir Park tenure after last weekend's loss at St Johnstone.
Watch highlights of Motherwell's 2-1 loss to St Johnstone, which proved to be Stuart Kettelwell's final game in charge of the Steelmen before he resigned over fan abuse.
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSMotherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has handed in his resignation after nearly two years in charge of Fir Park following fan unrest that led to "personal abuse" the boss could no longer tolerate.
Since his arrival, the 40-year-old has managed 92 games overall with a win percentage of 41.3% - the highest of any Motherwell manager since Stuart McCall.
Despite the club sitting fifth in the Scottish Premiership and having reached a League Cup semi-final this term, unrest has been growing among some members of the support.
One issue of concern among Motherwell fans had been the performances.
Although results weren't necessarily poor, a lot of fans weren't happy with the style of football that Kettlewell opted to play - minimal possession with a heavy reliance on counter-attacking - a style that led to back-to-back defeats to bottom-of-the-table St Johnstone in the manager's last two games in charge.
In fact, Motherwell have the lowest possession of any team in the top flight, an average of 37.7%, and the fewest shots. In terms of touches in the opposition box, only St Johnstone and Ross County have had fewer.
Kettlewell also continually changed the personnel in his starting XI while sticking with a five-man defence. In fact, since Motherwell's last victory (a 2-0 win over Aberdeen on 5 January) Kettlewell changed at least one member of the defence in each game.
The manager didn't shy away from fan criticism and his recent comments, after their Scottish Cup defeat to St Johnstone, upset a large section of the support when he said he'll "never be influenced by people that have never done the job and never dedicated their life to this game".
With that being said, since Kettlewell's appointment in February 2023, Motherwell sit fifth in an overall Premiership table - only Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hearts have earned more points in that period. Moreover, only Celtic and Rangers have scored more goals than the Steelmen.
A large reason for Motherwell's struggles this season has been down to injuries - although let's not forget they're still very much in the fight for top six (and even a European spot).
Not only have they had to sign two new goalkeepers, due to Aston Oxborough's injury and with back-up keeper Krisztian Hegyi recalled from his loan by parent club West Ham, outfield players Paul McGinn, Lennon Miller, Zach Robinson, Ross Callahan, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Liam Gordon, Harry Paton and Jair Tavares have all suffered injuries this season.
But that hasn't done much in the way of quelling supporters' anger who are fearful of a lengthy winless run in the vein of last season's 15-game streak without a victory. Even though Motherwell are 13 points clear of St Johnstone at the bottom of the table.
Stuart Kettlewell has resigned as Motherwell manager after the club's board "very reluctantly accepted" the 40-year-old's resignation.
With the club sitting in fifth place and a squad that boasts some impressive players, who will be the next manager in the Fir Park dugout?
Watch Sportscene analysis of Motherwell's 2-1 defeat against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
Motherwell style of play is the reason fans are turning against Stuart Kettlewell, with the team statistically the least intense Premiership side at pressing, with the third-worst Expected Goals (xG) tally and second-highest Expected Goals Against mark. (The Herald)
Read the rest of Monday's gossip.
We asked for your views on Motherwell's 2-1 loss against St Johnstone.
Here's what some of you said:
Norrie: Same old, same old. Listen to Stuart Kettlewell's excuses all you want, but I can guarantee if nothing is done we will be fighting relegation along with St Johnstone. Motherwell never looked like scoring and would not have without the penalty. So many players who just don't look interested.
David: As has been the same for the last two seasons, 30-35% possession will lead to one conclusion in the end. Fifteen without a win last season and heading that way again. Time is up for Kettlewell - from a fan who can see poor performances even if he can't.
Billy: Two thousand fans last week, two hundred this week says it all. Someone in the board needs to stand up and make a decision. With football like that we're going nowhere but down.
Liam: I thought we played well in the first half, created a few chances, started the second half reasonably well but faded, especially when the subs came on. Need to get our injured players back.
Andrew: To lose back-to-back games to a side bottom of the league speaks volumes of the total ineptitude of the management. The starting XI selected, the inept attacking, defence at all costs. If anyone watching this debacle feels we are moving forward, including the board, it was shambolic. Time for a change at the helm.
Eddie: Something seriously wrong at the club but asking players to give up 70% possession every week home and away must be having a negative effect on morale and attitude towards the manager.
Image source, SNSMotherwell have failed to win in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 20 December 2024 to 2 January 2025, a run of four games.
St Johnstone have won after conceding the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 26 October 2024 against Dundee (eight games without a win).
Motherwell have lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 25 February 2024 against Celtic (13 games without defeat).
St Johnstone have won after trailing at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 26 October 2024 against Dundee (seven games without a win after trailing at half time).
St Johnstone have won after trailing at half time at home in the Premiership for the first time since 23 September 2017 against Hamilton Academical (44 games without a win after trailing at half time).
St Johnstone have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of four games from 7 December 2024 to 26 December 2024.
Motherwell have lost after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 25 February 2024 against Celtic (11 games without defeat after leading at half time).
Motherwell have lost an away game after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 27 August 2022 against Kilmarnock (10 games without defeat).
Goals on 86 and 88 minutes ensured a dramatic and potentially priceless victory for bottom-side St Johnstone as they ended a nine-game winless run in the Scottish Premiership against Motherwell.
Bozo Mikulic brilliantly smashed in the winner two minutes after youngster Taylor Steven slotted in a well-deserved equaliser for Simo Valakari's side who have narrowed the gap on eleventh-placed Kilmarnock to seven points.
After defeating the Steelmen in the Scottish Cup last week, it appeared as though their Premiership pain was going to continue after conceding a penalty inside the opening 30 seconds.
It was minute four by the time Andy Halliday tucked away the spot-kick after Kevin Clancy went to the monitor to spot home captain Sven Sprangler's handball at a bouncing ball in the box.
However, Stuart Kettlewell's side couldn't kick on as the manager watched on from the stands as he served the first of a two-match suspension due to an accumulation of bookings.
As time ticked on in a freezing Perth, it was Valakari's side who searched for much-needed and much-deserved points and goals and both came in remarkable fashion.
Motherwell fans, did you make the trip to McDiarmid Park or where you following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the performance.
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSMotherwell couldn't have dreamt of a better start, particularly after their poor show up here last week.
However, after Andy Halliday - who headed down the tunnel in the second half with suspected symptoms of the bug ravishing the squad - dispatched his penalty, they didn't truly prod or trouble St Johnstone.
There was a lot of neat play in the middle of the pitch from Harry Paton and Tom Sparrow, but at crunch time, they choked.
In one instance in the first half, Tawanda Maswanhise had the chance for a rad drive at goal, but instead slowed his run right down as if he was killing time and taking the ball to the corner.
That was just one example of what Stuart Kettlewell alluded to in his post-match interview - his players dropping off.
A strange showing from a side who have garnered much praise this season for their lofty position and accumulation of points.
Image source, SNSMotherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell had to watch from the stands as his side were beaten 2-1 at St Johnstone
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "It feels worse because it's the next one, it feels worse because you're in the lead in the game.
"My biggest frustration is this mentality that allows us to keep dropping off games of football - whether that's physically or mentally. We've conceded three goals from set plays against St Johnstone which is awful from our point of view. Talk about putting your body on the line and defending your penalty box.
"I thought we showed a real fragility about us in the second half. We had the 1-0 lead, we have been battered and bashed a bit since last weekend and you can see one or two go into their shell a wee bit and that's not what we need.
"I still feel there's opportunities where we select the wrong option, there were several of those in the first half. The message at half-time was we needed to be on the front foot but I felt there was a wee bit of naivety. We wanted to take a step back and protect what we've got - that doesn't win you games of football.
"We all have to take accountability. Defending your penalty box for me is the first order of the day, then it gives you a platform to try and move forward. Today we switched off.
"I feel like I continually make changes in games based on the fact that people need to come off the pitch. I think Andy's looks as if it's a bit of illness, he seems to have this bug that Moses and Callum have had, but, you know, you would love an opportunity to try and tactically change a game of football.
"Something I try and ingrain in the players is to try and get your 90 minutes. Try and set your sights on playing that 90 minutes. Get through the game. Make sure you contribute."
Image source, Getty ImagesMotherwell have signed left-back Dominic Thompson on a deal until the end of the season after his deal with League One Blackpool was terminated by mutual consent earlier this week.
The 24-year-old made his first senior appearance for Brentford having come through the Arsenal academy, before signing for Blackpool in 2022.
Thompson did not start a league game for the Seasiders this season and heads north of the border in search of regular minutes.
"I'm excited to be here in Scotland," Thompson said.
"I wanted to continue playing regular first-team football, and the opportunity to join Motherwell and play in the Scottish Premiership was an exciting prospect for myself personally.
"The manager has a real track record of developing players and enhancing their qualities on the pitch, and I felt that Motherwell would be the perfect place for me to develop my game."
Image source, SNSSimo Valakari is hoping the paperwork for Jonathan Svedberg's move to St Johnstone squad is completed in time for the Swedish midfielder to play.
Defender Daniels Balodis - having left Latvian side FK RFS - will have to wait for his move to be sealed. Cammy MacPherson (hip) is working his way back but Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) remain sidelined.
Motherwell could hand debuts to Ellery Balcombe and Luke Armstrong, while Liam Gordon and Harry Paton will be assessed.
Jack Vale begins a two-match ban while Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (calf), Lennon Miller, Steve Seddon (both ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Aston Oxborough (thumb) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out along with Jair Tavares.
Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland
As chief executive Brian Caldwell pointed out when revealing Motherwell had rejected a couple of offers for teenage talisman Lennon Miller, there is hardly a crisis brewing at Fir Park considering they sit fifth in the Premiership - nine points better off than the same stage last season.
However, with just one victory in eight outings, it has still not prevented some grumblings of discontent among the support directed at manager Stuart Kettlewell.
Particularly after last weekend's Scottish Cup exit away to a St Johnstone side who had gone nine games without a win - five at home - and slipped nine points adrift at the bottom.
Well get an immediate chance to gain revenge as they return to McDiarmid Park on league duty.
As Caldwell also pointed out, injuries have hit Kettlewell particularly hard, with 18-year-old Miller a key absentee.
Well have therefore bolstered their squad this week by adding Brentford goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe, who spent the first half of the season on loan to St Mirren, and striker Luke Armstrong from Carlisle United.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been busy adding to his squad too, although it remains to be seen whether the latest arrival, former Halmstads midfielder Jonathan Svedberg, is given clearance in time to play.
Whoever plays, that cup win will have given the hosts belief they can extend Well's five-game run without an away win and reverse the two 2-1 league defeats by the visitors this season.
Read all the weekend Premiership picks
Image source, Getty ImagesMotherwell have signed Carlisle United's Luke Armstrong on loan until the end of the season, with manager Stuart Kettlewell saying there were a "lot of clubs competing" for the striker's signature.
Englishman Armstrong already knows Scottish football as he made his professional debut at Cowdenbeath in 2015 when the Blue Brazil plied their trade in League One.
The former Middlesbrough and Salford City forward has scored six goals in 45 games for Carlisle, who currently sit bottom of English League Two.
"Luke is combative, capable of finding pockets of space in the box, and an accurate finisher," said Kettlewell.
"We were looking for a player who held these attributes and Luke perfectly fit the profile."
Armstrong is Motherwell's fourth January recruit, following midfielder Kai Andrews, and goalkeepers Archie Mair and Ellery Balcombe.
Image source, SNSWhile St Johnstone knocked Motherwell out of the Scottish Cup last week, they have lost both of their league meetings with the Steelmen this season (both 2-1), last losing three in a row against them in the top flight in April 2012.
Motherwell are unbeaten in five league visits to St Johnstone (W2 D3), and could win successive such trips for the first time since November 2012 under Stuart McCall.
St Johnstone are winless in nine league games (D2 L7), last going 10 without victory in January 2022 under Callum Davidson.
Motherwell have won just one of their past seven away league outings (D1 L5), a 1-0 victory at St Mirren in December. The Steelmen have scored just four goals (and never more than once in a game) in this spell.
St Johnstone's Benjamin Kimpioka has attempted more dribbles (85) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership, with 42 of his take-ons coming following a ball carry, also a league high.
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has confirmed a "very significant" bid for Lennon Miller has been rejected but believes the 18-year-old Scotland Under-21 midfielder will still be at Fir Park next season unless interested clubs substantially increase what is being offered. (Daily Record), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSMotherwell have signed goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe on loan from Brentford until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old spent the first half of the campaign on loan at fellow Scottish Premiership side St Mirren where he made 26 appearances.
"I'm delighted to make the move to Motherwell," Balcombe said.
"One thing I noticed when I was playing for St Mirren was the competitiveness of the league and the atmosphere at most stadiums. This is a great opportunity for me to come back and do it again."
Manager Stuart Kettlewell added: "I'm really pleased to welcome Ellery to the club.
"We've not had our issues to seek with regards to injuries within the goalkeeping department. Ellery has played plenty of football this season in this league, so he won't need a settling-in period."
Image source, SNSMotherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has dismissed criticism of his tactics by people who have never "walked in the shoes" of a manager.
The Steelmen were knocked out of the Scottish Cup as they lost meekly 1-0 to the Scottish Premiership's bottom club St Johnstone.
Kettlewell, who takes his side back to Perth on league duty on Saturday with Motherwell in fifth place, has been criticised by a section of his own fans.
"There's a lot of experts out there and a lot of people that know better than the folk that have actually walked in the shoes and experienced the trials and tribulations," he said.
"You get things right, you get things wrong. This time of year – weather conditions, pitches – often dramatically changes from what it looks like on the first day of the season. That has a huge bearing on football.
"Last season we had so many plaudits at times for how we were playing, the style of football, keeping possession, creating chances. We went 15 games and never won a game of football."
The former Ross County manager's side are nine points better off than at the same point last season and he says he cannot afford to pay attention to outside opinions.
"You have to blank out a lot of that noise. There's a lot of people that I respect in the game that have that experience, a lot of people that I would listen to their opinion," he added.
"I'm not disregarding or disrespecting anybody. But it's safe to say I'll not be influenced by any noise or opinions from people that have never done the job and never dedicated their life to this game."
Image source, SNSFormer Motherwell winger Jamie Murphy thinks the club will "have to sell" highly-rated midfielder Lennon Miller in the summer.
The 18-year-old, whose contract runs to May 2026, has been subject of two rejected bids this month amid speculation Serie A side Udinese had offered £2.5m.
"I don't know the number in particular that they're looking for, but fair play to them for holding out," said Murphy on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"I know he's out with a little injury at the minute, but he's still going to go out and do well and they'll be able to get more for him.
"I think they hold on until the summer and then I think you have to sell him.
"With a year to go, you have to accept some sort of money for him, especially when it's that volume of money."
