wellsince75

The comings and goings of players may prove to be critical here . Slattery gone, Maswanhise most certainly, Just likely. Hopefully what comes in can match or improve us further. I get your broader point though - continuation of style of play etc.

Just glad it's sorted - A Jens sized gap isn't easy to fill. Think it was @grizzlyg who got pelters for referencing Jens as a legend but I can't honestly remember a better manager to have come through our doors in donkeys years. The club are sticking to the plan, may or may not have been the first choice but equally if someone told me we're about to bring in the manager from Rosenborg who wants to play attractive football and had a 45%+ win rate I'd have been pretty chuffed. Being young no doubt means he's made mistakes and will make more but full credit to everyone at the club for how they've managed the process. Be good to get some early momentum to keep the progression on track.

Absolutely - that’s going to push his value up only downside is how unlikely he is to be at FP next season .

For the pyros etc can understand why we’d be punished . the pitch invasion post end of game at FP is one thing . The final day of season was utterly disgraceful , as has been Celtics reaction and now the governing body . You get the sense that the tide could turn against Celtic as it’s no longer just Scottish football watching - the broader broadcasters I think will pick up on this .

I thought it would be done by now tbh given the club will knew they’d have to replace . Leads to me suspecting we’ve not secured our primary preferred candidate(s) got to think something will happen this week . meanwhile credit to the club for keeping it tight , they manage that side of things well .

It worked for Mcglynn

One point that really gets my goat is context of what's happening around a player is completely ignored. For example with Nicholson, there's no aknowledgement that the Celtic player nudging him could result in him handling the ball and completely ignoring the fact that he must have in part used his head to project the ball 20 yards out the park. Similar with Longelo- because it hit his upper arm he's ok - what about the player pushing him into the position. Putting any MFC bias to the side what is clear that a) we don't have technology and b) we don't have professionals who understand the context. For me there's no question the game is much worse for VAR and needs binned.

TBH over the period Clarke has been good for Scotland BUT… why extend is contract now , we could easily , probability and likely go out with a whimper - time to replace and give someone else the opportunity . overall poor decision

I put your criteria into AI - here's a shortlist of 4, from which Jorgen Vik has potential . 🟢 Tier 1 — Strong Fit, Most Realistic Alfred Johansson — Rosenborg BK (Swedish, 35) The profile almost writes itself. A UEFA Pro Licence holder with a sports science degree, Johansson came through the FC Copenhagen academy system before being appointed Rosenborg head coach in December 2023 — the same pathway Jens walked. His preferred system is a 4-3-3 attacking setup, with a focus on developing young talent and innovative tactics. He has just signed a contract extension with Rosenborg through 2028, so there'd be a cost — but for a club heading into Conference League football, that conversation is worth having. Swedish, ambitious, progressive. Exactly the profile. Jørgen Vik — Tromsø IL (Norwegian, 35) A local boy from Tromsø, Vik spent four years as assistant at the club before being promoted to head coach in 2024. He currently has Tromsø sitting top of the Eliteserien — a remarkable achievement with a club of limited resources. His contract runs until December 2026, meaning the timing could work perfectly. His record — 20 wins, 4 draws, 11 losses in 35 games — shows someone capable of building something. Less well-travelled than Jens was, but the upward trajectory is very similar. 🟡 Tier 2 — Interesting, Worth Exploring Sindre Tjelmeland — Molde FK (incoming) (Norwegian, 36) This is the Jens blueprint almost exactly. Tjelmeland was mentored into coaching by Kjetil Knutsen at Åsane, took IK Start through nearly 100 games in the Norwegian second division, then joined IFK Göteborg as assistant before moving to Lech Poznań under Niels Frederiksen. He's described by Lech's sporting director as "one of the most talented Scandinavian coaches of the new generation" — ambitious, tactically sharp, always seeking growth. He's just been appointed Molde head coach starting May 24, so it's immediately off the table — but worth monitoring if that move doesn't bed in quickly. Stefan Billborn — IFK Göteborg (Swedish) Currently in his second season at IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan. Göteborg are underperforming relative to their stature and Billborn may be looking for a fresh challenge. Less of a name than the others but fits the Scandinavian, possession-minded profile.

For me there's a mind & heart conflict. Statistically JBA was only ever going to be here for a year but by god it would have been great for a 2nd season. I really fancied our chances of doing well in Europe and even better in the league. Tough act to follow and top managers at MFC are a rare bread. It's not just points, goals conceded, clean sheets,lowest games since 1959 or the expansive football. He brought an attitude of 'we can win every game' - I simply didn't want it to end but it has and time to move forward. Thankfully Kyrk has his head screwed on and I fully back him and the others to do well. Suspect we're 80% of the way there already. Can only hope we stabilise what we've created in 12 months.

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.

It would be great if JBA want's to stick around for a second season, if he does I suspect a quite a few players would agree to stick around for another year as well, including securing Welsh. TW - probably already has something signed - if we're cashing in c£4M for him then thats outstanding business. Just also likely to leave for decent money, Quite a few will likely leave Ox, McGhee, Gordon, Robinson, Nicholson, Hendry

Sparrow, Gordon and Welsh were all excellent at the back. I thought RCC had very good game for us, lots of the good things came through him, particularly in first half.

We were in complete control today, never looked like conceding. I thought both the chopped off goal and sending off were soft decisions yet not surprising. Time to abolish it completely as beyond poor. Really pleased for everyone at the club and well deserved to come 4th.

Think you’re right on Connelly as Ox hasn’t really been involved with the squad . if RCC was to start I’d have him on the left with longello - that’s the best fit I’ve seen for him . suspect we’ll start with a very familiar line up , as much as I’d be tempted to drop TW the final game isn’t likely to be when this happens . Already feeling a bag of nerves , glad it’s an early kick off

Im trying to convince myself that it doesn’t matter tomorrow . We’ve had a great season and either 4th or 5th I’m delighted with how the overall season has been . In reality desperate for a win , Keep it tight , keep the ball and take our chances . Really want to end on a high - no less than we all deserve .

The silver lining from last nights crazy decision is the amount of pundits from England and beyond that I've heard talking about how great a footballing team Motherwell are. I know there's been lots of plaudits within Scotland but I can't help but feel another level of pride when it's far reaching. A real credit to Jens everyone at the club. Additionally now there's broader questions being asked about OF favouritism - that's not something we could have ever generated had it not been for the impact this has on the final game. Finally come Saturday and I appreciate this will benefit Hearts but I can't realistically see any dodgy decisions being given in favour of Celtic - simply too much scrutiny.

Exactly this - there was a determination to take it to the last game of the season . I don’t often (ever) have sympathy for hearts but I do tonight . i also think we’re being very harsh on our team , we’ve had a tough run of games and not many teams have been able to turn us over . It took a very dodgy decision tonight .

Delighted to get a point - ever closer to cementing 4th. We played quite well first half. Massive credit to SODs for his goal line clearance and was great to get our noses in front. Our lack of squad depth is an ongoing challenge. I notice it more against the top teams who can bring on fresh legs and take control of the last 30 mins of games. Massive point in the scheme of things and I do enjoy the disruption we cause to the top 3.

Once upon a time he came across well (no pun intended) and was good publicity for the club. Personal view is time has moved on but his act/approach hasn't.

Honesty can’t believe anyone truly believes it should have been a penalty. the hearts commentary team said something like - Welsh accidently kicked his head but they were stunned it went to VAR . How much money is being poured in the complete BS of VAR . Complete waste of time and money - when indeed the ref called it right initially

Was thinking the same about JT - he’s not working hard enough - sparrow is the one that side putting in effort but he’s elusive

Pretty poor first half . Slattery /Lobgello looked lively but others not quite on it . perhaps need to change formation as they’re getting through us far too easily . Need a big improvement send half if we want to win this . Thankfully lots of attacking options on the bench

a draw wouldn't be a terrible result but be great to put the bogey team to the sword.

I honestly expected us to end up losing the game . The old story of so close but. First half was outstanding and nicking it in the 90th simply brilliant . Well done lads. , terrific performance .