Motherwell give a former player of theirs just four games to earn himself permanent job as manager after the departure of Stephen Robinson.
Keith Lasley, a Fir Park legend, has been placed in temporary charge of the Steelmen following Stephen Robinson’s resignation.
It’s understood that he wants the job, but must prove his credentials in upcoming fixtures against Hamilton, St Mirren, Rangers and Aberdeen.
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Robinson quit after the 2-0 defeat to Kilmarnock – leaving Motherwell tenth in the table, just two points off the bottom.
It’s understood Stephen Robinson, who guides Motherwell to two cup finals, third place in the Premiership and the Europa League during his four years in charge had been considering his position for a number of weeks.
Fir Park chiefs tried desperately to talk him into staying, but he was adamant that he needed time to think the role over.
Tommy Wright, John Robertson and Derek Adams are among the contenders to take over, but all eyes are on ex-Motherwell, Plymouth, and Blackpool midfielder Keith Lasley, 41, who looks most likely to get it should he do well in temporary charge.
– Two cup finals.
– Third-place finish.
– Europa League football.
– Over £6m in player sales.Here’s to you, Stephen Robinson.
Thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/DrklQLCa5G
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) December 31, 2020
CLUB STATEMENT:
Stephen Robinson has resigned as manager of Motherwell Football Club.
After Wednesday night’s match with Kilmarnock, Stephen approached the board, giving an honest assessment of the current situation. He then stated his desire to leave.
It is with regret that the board accepted his resignation, having carefully considered his reasons for wanting to leave his post.
Despite the current restrictions, the board will now run a thorough process to identify the right person to take the manager’s post.
This will move at pace, mindful of the busy fixture list and the January transfer window’s impending opening.
Keith Lasley will take interim charge of the first team with immediate effect.
“I would like to thank everyone at Motherwell FC for their support throughout my time here, both as manager and assistant,” Robinson said.
“We have qualified for Europe, reached two cup finals and achieved a third-place finish, on top of developing some wonderful players in my time here.
“We cleared the club’s external debt through player sales, cup runs and league positions. The club has numerous assets going forward, and I’m sure that there will have a strong finish to the season with the brilliant coaching staff currently there.
“My goal was always to leave the club in a healthier position. I believe the staff and I have done this.
“I now feel it is the time for someone new to take the club forward as I feel I have taken it as far as I can.
“I would like to put on record my thanks to Jim McMahon, Alan Burrows and the rest of the board, as well as the fans for their loyalty and support to my family and I throughout.
“I will take a short break before looking at new challenges ahead. But my family and I will forever be Motherwell fans. I wish the staff, supporters and club as a whole every success in the future.”
Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon added: “I thank Stephen for everything he has done for this club.
“Year after year, he delivered upon or exceeded the targets set for him.
“On the field, that entailed reaching cup finals, achieving a third-place finish and reaching European competition. Those moments will live long in the memory of supporters and will go down in our history.
“Off it, his success in player development and sales has ensured this club is in a strong financial position. His ability to rear new talent was commendable and delivered great benefit to us.
“He is a man who has conducted himself exceptionally well and has been a figurehead for our club for the last three-and-a-half years.
“It has been a privilege to work with him over these years. We all wish him well for the future.”
Stephen Robinson has resigned as manager of Motherwell Football Club.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) December 31, 2020
Fans reacted as Motherwell give a former player four games to earn himself permanent job as manager after saying goodbye to Stephen Robinson…
@liamcasey86: Thank you Stephen for your efforts over the years, with such resources you done a great job. Really sad to see you go as you’re such a likeable person but I think freshness was required. Players also should be ashamed of themselves.
@barrybhoy99: He is a good manager and has done a very decent job at Motherwell. It just hasn’t worked for him this season and results are all that matters. Respect to him for knowing that it was time for him to go. You do not see that too often.
@AndrewJohnstone: A lot of boys in that dressing room need to be having a long hard think about their role in this. A throughly decent man who I hope goes on to future success.
@KennyMFC1886: Would like to thank Stephen Robinson for all he did for MFC (and it wasn’t just getting to two cup finals!)The vitriol and lack of perspective from some fans lately has been a disgrace and folk should have a serious think about how they go about supporting the club
@robbieboyyd: Wow.. For all it was probably coming to the end of the cycle, I didn’t see this happening. But my guess would be he wouldn’t have wanted to go into the derby a dead man walking. The man has been a gem to the club and thats something that shouldn’t go over looked. Aw ra best robo
@DaveHedgehog11: “Ruined what he had achieved”, are you serious? One sticky season and you think he’s ruined all the success before? We’re a small club, we’ve no divine right to be reaching Hampden and finishing in the upper reaches of the league, yet achieved both regularly under him.
@brianrussell73: I’m truly gutted. The players need to look at themselves. A thoroughly decent man and very good manager. Mistakes have been made and maybe change will help us. We were getting worse. Thanks for the memories. Heres to you Stephen Robinson.
Jason Dix: Good luck to Motherwell, giving former player Keith Lasley four games to earn himself a permanent job as manager
Did a phenomenal job considering the constraints could be one of those don’t know how good you’ve got it until it’s gone moments did a better job than I think people realise
— Iain (@tailso1988) December 31, 2020
No way!!! We’re a small club with an even smaller budget who for the past 4/5 season have been producing way beyond our expectations but at the 1st blip we need someone to blame. Well 👏👏 to everyone who has got what they asked for! I’m 100% sorry to see Robbo go
— ann mckeown (@weeannie65) December 31, 2020
Probably the correct decision. Been a brilliant manager for us, but we don’t currently have a team or formation that looks like winning. Give the new manager time to change the squad in Jan. Lamie, Mugabe, Hastie, Cole can go. If we can’t get in good replacements, play youth.
— Alan Stewart (@Alan_M_Stewart) December 31, 2020
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