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I bought season ticket as thought he would be here another season. Thinking of asking for money back now.

Most definitely not. But certainly our most exciting manager since Mark McGhee first time around and a much more likeable character than McGhee and Alexander who also got us European qualification. And a much better mindset and attitude than longer serving managers who also had success for us like Stuart McCall. He had us going into games against Celtic and Rangers believing we could beat them and lo and behold we record wins against both for the first time in over twenty years. Compare that to the meek, subservient pish we got against those sides under McCall’s management where you had key players like Stephen Craigan admitting that they were ‘scared’ to go to Ibrox etc. JBA changed our play and our mindset and that was brilliant to see.

I've loved the whole 'let's play the game our way and impose it on the opposition" approach.

If we end up back to the usual crap, fair enough. But no one saw this season coming, so let's give them a chance. For me the point is, it's my club. Till death us do part - for better or worse.

Can only follow him if we agree to sell them. Players know how the game works, and any professional worth their salt makes their own way in their profession and doesn't follow a manager. I'm also very sure most of our players knew exactly what was going to happen with JBA, and probably joined us hoping they could do the same. We're clearly trying to build a model to work from that doesn't leave us dependant on a specific manager or player to function. Kind of what you see at Brentford and Brighton, who have seen other clubs poach staff and players from them constantly, but they continue to have success. That doesn't mean we will hit the highs of this season every year, but it should mean that we don't get too sentimental about these things when they happen and make rash decisions. Whether JBA moves tomorrow or in a years time, it will be interesting to see how we handle that, and who comes in, as that will be a good indicator of how much of our success is just from JBA, and what is down to our overall leadership group.

JBA certainly more than surpassed expectations when he came in and when we were on it under him we were brilliant to watch. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he was elite level based on his time at us but he certainly had us playing some great stuff even though we fell away toward the end of the season. His record in the Cups was a black mark given the way we exited both and the team selection for the Aberdeen tie and we dropped a lot of points from winning positions especially early in the season. Overall he was a success for us. It could and perhaps even should have been better but he was certainly an excellent manager for us and he goes now with the best of wishes.

Sorry to see Jens go but it was always inevitable after the way he had us playing and achieving way more than anyone would have thought possible last year when he came in. Whoever takes over certainly has big shoes to fill but we as a club move on, no one person is bigger than the club. It will be interesting to see which direction the club look in to appoint his successor but the job is arguably much more attractive than it was this time last year. I sincerely hope we do not hand it to Max Rogers.

My biggest hope is it starts to dispell the "Scottish mindset" where they are beat in their heads before they face the OF. Our displays against them this season are night and day compared to the last 20 years particularly at Ibrox and Parkhead.

Hopefully, JBA's tenure has laid the 'must know Scottish football' argument to a long overdue rest. And after the last few weeks, anyone who does know Scottish football would probably steer well clear.

Icons of football on bbc Scotland tonight is about Super Cooper

We are a provincial club. It's will forever be the case that our success stories will leave us vulnerable to those with more financial clout, bigger fanbases, increased stature. I understand the negativity, but the reality is that if we do well then ultimately we're 'punished' ie loss of best players/manager. For me the difference this time is we are a club on the up. The bulk of the squad is under contract, so you would hope there would not be the usual churn of players. If clubs are interested in our players, we are in a position with many to demand a very decent fee. No need for us to sell for peanuts. Financially, I would expect the club to be in a very good place. On the pitch, we have European football to look forward too and for the first time in a while, solid foundations to build from. Players will be interested in joining Motherwell. Albeit, we will be a stepping stone, but that is how it works. Always has, always will. We have an opportunity now to really push on and I just hope the board do not squander this, regardless of who goes. To their credit, the board have shown an ability to think outside the box with the last couple of managerial appointments and for young up and coming coaches, we'll be an attractive proposition. For me, this is the way to go. We need to move on from the managerial merry-go-round of looking at the usual candidates north and south of the border. Ultimately, I would love JBA to stay, along with the likes of Just, Watt etc, but the reality is they move on to something bigger. As a club, if we show we can do that then more players/manager will be interested in a stint at Fir Park. Essentially, we're a shop window. It doesn't mean we can't continue to build something. It just puts the board under that bit more pressure to make the right appointments and for our scouting department to identify the right players. I'll leave you with this thought. Take a look at Bournemouth. Since the start of the season just finishing they've lost key players like Kerkez, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Semenyo and Ouatarra, not to mention manager Andoni Iraola leaving once season is finished. Yet through all this they potentially stand on the verge of Champions League football. That demonstrates a well-run club with not just a focus on the present, but always planning for the future. Losing players/managers does no necessarily have to mean a return to mediocrity.

Most of us think that the club will continue on the same path of exciting total football now. However, it would do no harm at all for the directors to release a very public statement, once JBA departs, to the effect that the journey continues and confirm this. That would certainly help to keep increased crowds onside. It doesn't need to morph into a detailed account of candidates, timelines etc.

Digging the thread title. 👍 Groovy play on words. I am looking for every small comfort in life this evening.

Think the best thing we can take today ladies and gentlemen is that our boss is not downgrading to green bigots. We regroup and move on. Thanks for input. Now on to better things.

Good one.

Aye i never want to see an ex Celik manager, in charge at Fir Park.

I agree. Maswanhise will be off and Id expect maybe one more, possibly Just if he has a good World Cup, or maybe Watt. But Kyrk was quite clear in his podcast interview that, although we wont stand in players way when it comes to development, we will manage squad turnover strategically and incrementally. The bulk of the squad will still be here come August, and I expect us to strengthen our weak areas, namely centre half, left back and up front.

But we are not going to have a massive rebuild. All our player are contracted until 2028. Motherwell are not going to have a fire sale. I suspect we will cash in on Maswanhise , daft not to and possibly Watt but I think that's about it. This is one season where we won't have a massive rebuild.

It's been a helluva day.

As far as I’m concerned, JBA has done his job, and done it well. He leaves the club in a significantly better position than when he arrived, with an entirely new mindset and approach to football. He was brilliant for us, and I’m pleased he’s earned a big move to France. Now we move forward under the steady stewardship of our chairman, the board, and the new head of football. Even though the chairman has said the club will follow the same recruitment process that led us to Wimmer and JBA, the attention JBA brought to our club this season will surely attract similarly talented managers to apply. Now bring on Europe.

Gutted to see Jens go. He has left us with some great memories and brought the whole club and community back together. I dont ever remember a time when there was such a feelgood factor around Fir Park, short of the 91 Cup win. Im actually feeling quite optomistic for what lies ahead. Its all been tied up very quickly and efficiently and you would fancy the board are well on the way to identifying who comes next. Id expect the new manager to be in by the time the players come back on the 18th June, and Id anticipate that we will have done a fair bit of business transfer wise by then as well so we have the bulk of the squad in for pre-season and in advanc of the Conference League Qualifiers. As I said earlier. The King is dead. Long live The King! 🧡❤️🧡

At least make it plausible

If you offered me a million quid and a house in the south of France, I'd support St Mirren for a season.

That amount was quoted a couple of days ago. Before the Sun ran with it. I guess as with the players any employee has a price. If the £1m is accurate we have done just fine.

With the way the season went it its no suprise Jens is offski. Is it now time for Pep to show he aint just a cheque book manager and show he can coach at our level?

A big loss, not just to Motherwell, but to Scottish football which has just lost a young, progressive, modern manager that would no doubt have taken Motherwell on an upward trajectory that would have had a beneficial knock on for the Scottish game in general. Let's hope we get another one that is just as switched on. Come on ye Well! Thanks and best wishes to Jens.

Its been a great season thanks to JBA. He's transformed us on the pitch and left us in a better condition than when he joined. Thats the bottom line. Given his record when joined, I and a few others never expected him to stay long and he hasn't. I don't expect him to, stay long at Toulouse either, which is a far bigger club. I just wish he hadn't made a few comments about his long term plans for our club. A red herring? Even though he's done a great job, I'm relaxed about him moving on. Managers come and managers go but the club moves on. To younger fans, he'll simply be a name. I'm very encouraged by Kyrk MacMillan's statement that the model continues and that the directors have been preparing for this day. Whats more, the recruitment process ins now well underway. Backroom staff remain in place. COYW!

The same Cowan who was entertaining worzel gummidge in da claudios before sellik game

He's an Elite level manager. We've been fortunate to witness the best fitba I've seen on near on 50 years going down by. Onwards and Upwards.

It’s just the way football goes, when a player/coach/manager does well at a ‘provincial club’ then it is inevitable that they will be poached by a bigger club sooner or later. It’s not unique to us. What I would say though is that this is why it is important to enjoy and savour when we do have a player or manager instead of worrying about the above happening. Because if it’s going to happen then there’s nothing that can be done to stop it and talking/worrying about it just prevents you from enjoying it while it lasts. Tam Cowan is the biggest culprit for this as I have said before on here and I found his attitude and comments pretty disappointing given the platform he has and how he is basically our most high profile fan. The night we beat Celtic 2-0 at Fir Park and absolutely dominated them in a way never seen before he was straight on the radio after it saying that it was only a matter of time before JBA was away and that we’d be lucky to keep him until the end of the season and so on. Nothing about the result, nothing about the performance of the team, just “it’s all gonna end any minute”. That really got up my nose at the time because at a time when the focus should be on us having a really good side and playing really good football our most well known fan was pouring cold water on it all on the radio. Well, up yours Cowan. Jens was here until the end of the season and now he has gone we move on. It’s just a pity you couldn’t focus more on what he was doing for us while he was here rather than spouting tired old nonsense about how it was all going to end any minute.

But....but....but....he hasn't gone to sellik! 😁😁 GIRUY I expect another leftfield foreign coach with same philosophy on style of play. We have squad all under contract, European football and sound financially. Jens , thank you for bringing us an amazing season, huge crowds, memorable results........now feck off ya judas baldy Danish p***k!!! 🤪🤪🤪 ( yes.....I am joking)

Gutted he's away but it was better now than a few weeks down the line.i don't think the club has ever been in better shape while looking to appoint a new manager,interest is bound to be at an all time high,there's never a dull moment that's for sure.

Its football pal,as you know players and managers come and go,but undellrstandable when its only a season,hes done brilliant and no doubt has genuine feelings for club but not enough to stay another season.

At least he has gone to a big club and not a bigot club. Good luck Jens.

Enjoyed the Gary McAllister one the other week, especially the bit where he said he's a Motherwell fan, contrary to claims made by our wonderful press.

Yeah but most of them nearly all have 1 year contract extension held by the club so pretty sorted on that front.

The majority of our players are contracted until 2028 (a good number of them have club options for that year). Fadinger was one of the last to have an expiry in 2027, and he just signed an extension. Examples https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2025/06/26/elliot-watt-becomes-our-latest-signing/ https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2025/07/09/new-zealand-international-elijah-just-lands-in-ml1/ https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2025/07/11/landing-ibrahim-said-on-a-two-year-deal/

I`m resigned to him going somewhere, but it has to be sooner rather than later. We cannot allow this to drag on and detract a search for a new similar style manager and from our preseason and transfer market dealings.

We should be on the phone to Guardiola, weve played like Man City this season so he would hit the ground running, and feel right at home,, plus his career would be complete with a spell managing in Scotland, nothing ventured norhing gained.

The point is he leaves the club in a much better state than Kettlewell, has laid the foundation for future managers to build on, recruited some excellent players who will raise significant funds when sold, assisted in the development of our new training facilities and provided a season of football none of us will forget. Apart from that, a complete waste of time.

We've been so pleasing on the eye this season that I'd be devastated if we returned to anything resembling 'Kettle/Alexanderball'. I honestly think it would make me think twice about renewing at the end of next season. And I don't say that lightly.

Agree Grizzly - im pretty sure Kyrk also referenced it last month in his video update. He said something along the lines of irrespective of who's in charge this is the type of football we'll be playing. I thought at the time it sounded like an acceptance that Jens would move on but chose to ignore and kept hope he'd stick around.

My mate was at AGM few months back and they said that was the model they were continuing with so fingers crossed

Absolutely. In-form players who are on the radar of bigger clubs know exactly how the game works. If they're entering the final year of their contract and won't sign an extension, we have 2 opportunities remaining to make money from them. Now would normally be preferable to January, but we've Europe to consider this year. We'll see what transpires if and when offers come in. I'm certainly not greetin about our situation or fighting reality. Life goes on, irrespective. We've just had an unforgettable season that's re-energised the entire club. Now we continue down the bumpy road, even if it's with a new driver.

If JBA goes this week, with the club still trying to sell season tickets, it would absolutely be in their interests to make a statement, as you suggest.

Toulouse, that’s a bit of lautrec for anyone wanting to go see his new team play.

Can't wait to get my dividend cheque!

Happy to ban the green brigade from their own ground , but also happy to sell them tickets for away matches. A truly horrible club.

Now I know why Pep has left Man City.......

The votes have been counted, and the 2025-26 SteelmenOnline is... Elijah finished 10 points ahead of a congested pack, reflective of so many great performances this season. As always, the scoring system each match was 3 points for 1st, 2 points for 2nd, 1 point for 3rd. Elliot Watt and Stephen Welsh finished joint second on 33 points. Lukas Fadinger was squeezed into 3rd (or 4th depending on your arithmetical preference) by 1 point, ending with a total of 32. SOD finished on 29 and Slatts on 27. Complete list of players who scored at least a point: Thanks for voting!