2025/26 Ins & Outs Discussion

[santheman]

19 minutes ago, El Grew said:

Will reserve judgement until I see how he does.

Caveat:  
He’s spent the majority of his career in the Championship.

Every Dundee fan I've spoken to in person or online have said they're gutted to lose him and he's consistently been one of their best players every season. 

 

[Kmcalpin]

An article from the BBC. A bit patronising if you ask me. Would they be promoting home grown/old boys club  managers if it was Celtic and Sevco that were involved? I also hope our players turn up for pre season somewhat earlier than the month they quote.  

"This time last year Motherwell's board, fan ownership group and support were braced for a toxic summer amid a potential takeover from a former Netflix vice-president.

That attempted bid collapsed spectacularly when proposed American buyer Erik Barmack withdrew his offer because he felt there were "significant divisions within the fanbase".

In the 12 months since, the club hierarchy has been ripped up and refreshed, one manager has departed after citing fan abuse, and another has left for family reasons.

Three summers ago, Graham Alexander was sacked on the eve of the 2022-23 Scottish Premiership season after his team were chased out of Conference League qualifying by Sligo Rovers.

Club legend Steven Hammell picked up the pieces, but he was gone by the following February after a humiliating Scottish Cup defeat at second-tier Raith Rovers.

With the search for a fourth manager in three years under way, supporters of the Fir Park side will have to wait a little longer for the extended period of normality they crave.

Until last week, fans were optimistic about the summer. There were signs manager Michael Wimmer was starting to flex his coaching pedigree.

Three wins from five post-split games contributed to an overall record of five victories, three draws and four defeats across 12 matches under the former Austria Vienna boss.

Off the pitch, Wimmer spoke of immersing himself in the local culture. A picture of him celebrating in a Lanarkshire pub circulated after an excellent result and performance in a 2-1 win at Rangers in March. All was looking well.

Then, last Friday, news emerged the German had returned home and was not coming back. "This decision was an extremely hard one," he said.

Some fans joked the 44-year-old's frequent LinkedIn activity, and the regular self-promotion of his profile, suggested he was looking for a way out.

But this was real. An "urgent" family matter meant Wimmer wanted to be closer to home, joining third-tier German club Jahn Regensburg.

A "shock to everybody" was how chairman Kyrk Macmillan described it, but the club will now need to move on quickly.

However, with the players not due arrive back for pre-season for another month, Motherwell will not rush or panic in their hunt to find Wimmer's successor.

The board will follow the same process that led them to the German, using data and metrics to judge how candidates align with the club's values, such as youth development.

If Motherwell land on a manager with a similar CV, they will be doing well. But it is worth remembering there are coaches closer to home now available.

Tony Docherty is without a club after being sacked by Dundee, plus Shaun Maloney is also unattached following his Wigan exit.

But Robbie Neilson's record at both Hearts and Dundee United surely makes him the standout among the realistic Scottish options.

The 44-year-old, who left Tampa Bay Rowdies earlier this year, has said the vacant jobs at Motherwell and Dundee would interest him.

Neilson got Hearts promoted twice and led them to two third-placed top-flight finishes across two spells, as well as making two Scottish Cup finals. He also guided United to promotion in 2020.

Motherwell assistant Ahmet Koc, who joined with Wimmer, will continue his role at Fir Park after talks with Regensburg. It is unknown whether or not he will put himself forward for the managerial role.

But it feels like the smart money is on another left-field move. No media outlet had any wind of Wimmer's arrival until just minutes before he was announced, and it will be no surprise if something similar is repeated."

[wellfan]

45 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

An article from the BBC. A bit patronising if you ask me. Would they be promoting home grown/old boys club  managers if it was Celtic and Sevco that were involved? I also hope our players turn up for pre season somewhat earlier than the month they quote.  

"This time last year Motherwell's board, fan ownership group and support were braced for a toxic summer amid a potential takeover from a former Netflix vice-president.

That attempted bid collapsed spectacularly when proposed American buyer Erik Barmack withdrew his offer because he felt there were "significant divisions within the fanbase".

In the 12 months since, the club hierarchy has been ripped up and refreshed, one manager has departed after citing fan abuse, and another has left for family reasons.

Three summers ago, Graham Alexander was sacked on the eve of the 2022-23 Scottish Premiership season after his team were chased out of Conference League qualifying by Sligo Rovers.

Club legend Steven Hammell picked up the pieces, but he was gone by the following February after a humiliating Scottish Cup defeat at second-tier Raith Rovers.

With the search for a fourth manager in three years under way, supporters of the Fir Park side will have to wait a little longer for the extended period of normality they crave.

Until last week, fans were optimistic about the summer. There were signs manager Michael Wimmer was starting to flex his coaching pedigree.

Three wins from five post-split games contributed to an overall record of five victories, three draws and four defeats across 12 matches under the former Austria Vienna boss.

Off the pitch, Wimmer spoke of immersing himself in the local culture. A picture of him celebrating in a Lanarkshire pub circulated after an excellent result and performance in a 2-1 win at Rangers in March. All was looking well.

Then, last Friday, news emerged the German had returned home and was not coming back. "This decision was an extremely hard one," he said.

Some fans joked the 44-year-old's frequent LinkedIn activity, and the regular self-promotion of his profile, suggested he was looking for a way out.

But this was real. An "urgent" family matter meant Wimmer wanted to be closer to home, joining third-tier German club Jahn Regensburg.

A "shock to everybody" was how chairman Kyrk Macmillan described it, but the club will now need to move on quickly.

However, with the players not due arrive back for pre-season for another month, Motherwell will not rush or panic in their hunt to find Wimmer's successor.

The board will follow the same process that led them to the German, using data and metrics to judge how candidates align with the club's values, such as youth development.

If Motherwell land on a manager with a similar CV, they will be doing well. But it is worth remembering there are coaches closer to home now available.

Tony Docherty is without a club after being sacked by Dundee, plus Shaun Maloney is also unattached following his Wigan exit.

But Robbie Neilson's record at both Hearts and Dundee United surely makes him the standout among the realistic Scottish options.

The 44-year-old, who left Tampa Bay Rowdies earlier this year, has said the vacant jobs at Motherwell and Dundee would interest him.

Neilson got Hearts promoted twice and led them to two third-placed top-flight finishes across two spells, as well as making two Scottish Cup finals. He also guided United to promotion in 2020.

Motherwell assistant Ahmet Koc, who joined with Wimmer, will continue his role at Fir Park after talks with Regensburg. It is unknown whether or not he will put himself forward for the managerial role.

But it feels like the smart money is on another left-field move. No media outlet had any wind of Wimmer's arrival until just minutes before he was announced, and it will be no surprise if something similar is repeated."

Nick McPheat is a Well fan.

I don’t think he is purposefully promoting home grown / old boys. Rather, he suggests, and I agree, that of those candidates, Robbie Neilson is the only realistic standout option. He’s also avoided speculation along the lines of the bookies odds.  

On pre-season, the Club announced: Our first-team will return to Fir Park for pre-season on Wednesday 18 June, before setting off for Delden, Netherlands, on Wednesday 25 June.

I think we’ll either see Robbie Neilson or David Healy, or another complete data-driven random, get the gig this week or next. 

 

[well_said]

20 minutes ago, wellfan said:

Nick McPheat is a Well fan.

I don’t think he is purposefully promoting home grown / old boys. Rather, he suggests, and I agree, that of those candidates, Robbie Neilson is the only realistic standout option. He’s also avoided speculation along the lines of the bookies odds.  

On pre-season, the Club announced: Our first-team will return to Fir Park for pre-season on Wednesday 18 June, before setting off for Delden, Netherlands, on Wednesday 25 June.

I think we’ll either see Robbie Neilson or David Healy, or another complete data-driven random, get the gig this week or next. 

 

He may well be a motherwell fan but he will need to toe the bbc old firm line , the same as Gordon Duncan on snide.

[SteelmaninOZ]

Jordan McGhee Q&A

 

[Happyhonest]

Would any of the released rangers youth do us a turn? Devine was being bigged up by the media a wee while ago not that familiar with the other youth released.

[Mad Dog]

14 minutes ago, Happyhonest said:

Would any of the released rangers youth do us a turn? Devine was being bigged up by the media a wee while ago not that familiar with the other youth released.

I didn't think that Devine was all that good when he was with us but if he settles into playing regularly, on a 2-3 year contract and for a good coach then maybe....

[Spiderpig]

14 hours ago, Happyhonest said:

Would any of the released rangers youth do us a turn? Devine was being bigged up by the media a wee while ago not that familiar with the other youth released.

The ugly sisters have been the graveyard for developing home grown Scottish players over the years, how many have been labelled as the "next big player with a great future in the game".

2 or 3 years down the line their contracts are up and they dissappear off the face of the Earth having achieved nothing other than a healthy bank balance for a couple of years.

[fizoxy]

I don't know if he was any good in his loan at queens Park last year, but he wasn't that great for us, then got injured. Right back/rwb probably isn't where we need to be looking anyway. 

[andalg]

On 6/6/2025 at 1:01 AM, fizoxy said:

I don't know if he was any good in his loan at queens Park last year, but he wasn't that great for us, then got injured. Right back/rwb probably isn't where we need to be looking anyway. 

True SOD has the right back berth sewn up for the next two or three years 

[Mccus28]

Thats Casey gone!!!!

[texanwellfan]

3 minutes ago, Mccus28 said:

Thats Casey gone!!!!

Where to? 

[wellgirl]

Off down south. 

[wellgirl]

Just now, texanwellfan said:

Where to? 

England. Club haven't said more than that 

[AllyMax]

15 minutes ago, wellgirl said:

England. Club haven't said more than that 

To 'pursue options' it said.  Sure he did the same a couple of years ago and pitched back up early in the season (having missed pre season training). 

[Mccus28]

I liked him to be fair, always had a mistake in him right enough

[weeyin]

Heading off down south because someone asked him to mark Norway?

Good luck to the man. Liked his attitude, energy and enthusiasm, but not a fan of his actual defensive abilities.

[wellsince75]

3 hours ago, weeyin said:

Heading off down south because someone asked him to mark Norway?

Good luck to the man. Liked his attitude, energy and enthusiasm, but not a fan of his actual defensive abilities.

agree with that - better going forward than he was in defence.  

What I really struggle with is how many players we offered further contracts to.  Do the club really think he'd be part of the solution.   I know there were clauses in likes of SODs contact etc but honestly we need to get our act together in this area. 

As a club we hand out too many contracts to players we should be moving on. 

[wellgirl]

I'm personally sorry to see Dan go. 

Good luck to him wherever he ends up 

[Big Wispy Flossy]

Huddersfield apparently. Been a good servant, not without his faults, but one of our better centre half’s in recent times

[mfc]

I would have preferred casey to stay over mcginn and odonnell but if he did it would have been an even less of a chance to improve our poor defence but now we have a space in the team and a wage to hopefully bring in someone that can make us better.good luck to dan wherever he ends up.

[wellgirl]

10 minutes ago, Big Wispy Flossy said:

Huddersfield apparently. Been a good servant, not without his faults, but one of our better centre half’s in recent times

My brother just said they could double our offer - sad - but it is what is is 

[fizoxy]

I like Casey. He's flawed, but definitely a good defender at our level that would get a game for most teams in our league. 

Having a defender that can chip in with some goals, and a player with some personality is always nice. 

On the other hand, our defense overall is poor, so I am not going to be too fussed about anyone leaving it. Not every goal is a defenders fault, but we do have a group of error prone defenders, and not enough going forward to gloss over that. 

[wellfan]

25 minutes ago, wellsince75 said:

What I really struggle with is how many players we offered further contracts to. I know there were clauses in likes of SODs contact etc but honestly we need to get our act together in this area. As a club we hand out too many contracts to players we should be moving on. 

Yep. As with Casey, and given they weren't detailed in the GTF list, I can only assume we've also offered contracts to Paton, Davor, Moses, Thompson and Seddon. Of that lot, Seddon is the only one worthy of an offer. 

[wellsince75]

19 minutes ago, wellfan said:

Yep. As with Casey, and given they weren't detailed in the GTF list, I can only assume we've also offered contracts to Paton, Davor, Moses, Thompson and Seddon. Of that lot, Seddon is the only one worthy of an offer. 

Completely agree with you .
 

It’s bonkers that we knew the squad was too large and didn’t have enough quality yet could end up with +20 of the same squad