2026/27 Ins & Outs Discussion

[Spiderpig]

41 minutes ago, wellfan said:

Aye, I’d already accepted it weeks ago. I just want it resolved early so we can move on quickly. With Daws now in his new role to provide continuity, and Kyrk and the board committed to the new model, I don’t see any reason to be concerned.

Shockerooney another X post suggesting no deal has been done, its not  official until JBA is pictured in France with a Toulouse scarf in one hand and z baguette in the other

https://x.com/i/status/2057172498651738157

[wellup83]

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.

[grizzlyg]

16 minutes ago, wellup83 said:

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.

As been mentioned look at our crowds this season as fans want to be entertained and I have no doubt a lot of neutrals have come to watch us play. The Chairman, chief exec , board all switched on and will know the bar now set and any return to the hoofball we witnessed under not just SK not Alexander's team were brutal to watch

[grizzlyg]

Reports now saying JBA is on 3 man shortlist for Toulouse job.  So reports yesterday not as accurate as being suggested. 

[Spiderpig]

21 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

Reports now saying JBA is on 3 man shortlist for Toulouse job.  So reports yesterday not as accurate as being suggested. 

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.

[dennyc]

17 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

Reports now saying JBA is on 3 man shortlist for Toulouse job.  So reports yesterday not as accurate as being suggested. 

Although I think JBA will move to Toulouse, my big fear is that all the publicity and their own fan reaction will prompt that lot from Glasgow to jump in if the French move does not happen. Life changing money on offer so no one can hold it against Jens for moving on. Losing him, although no surprise, would be painful but the structure and belief exists for us to continue our progress given a suitable replacement. And his current assistant must be a front runner, not least of all because he is known and trusted by fans and players and played a large role in introducing the playing style we have all loved this season.

But wouldn't it be so refreshing if JBA said "Thanks but no thanks. I have a job to finish here and will see it through". I live in hope. As for contracted players moving on if he goes? Only on our terms! All are young enough that if they continue to perform they can still secure that big move.

[weeyin]

59 minutes ago, dennyc said:

Although I think JBA will move to Toulouse, my big fear is that all the publicity and their own fan reaction will prompt that lot from Glasgow to jump in if the French move does not happen. 

You can never be certain, but JBA to Celtic doesn't seem like a good match for either party. 

[joewarkfanclub]

3 hours ago, Ya Bezzer! said:

The facts are we simply aren't a big enough club to hold on to talent.  I think it will be a very different team next season.

Even if we had managed to hold on to this team and coaching staff there is still the possibility we wouldn't have been as good or possibly even struggled.  

That's why almost all players and staff go, they have to take their chance to move up as there is no guarantee it will come again.  You're talking in most cases from going from having a decent living to millionaire status. It's not something you gamble on.

I think there is going to be a lot of unrealistic expectation going into next season.  Fans need to realise there won't be any like-for-like replacements.  Every player and coach is an individual and the team is a combination of individuals. There will not be a seamless continuation.

There will be a whole set of new challenges as there always is with every new season.  As a support I hope we recognise that.

Boooh!

You and your sensible realism!

If the King is indeed dead, all I want to hear is Long Live The King!

😍😍😍

[Wellsince1976]

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.

[FirParkCornerExile]

3 hours ago, Ya Bezzer! said:

The facts are we simply aren't a big enough club to hold on to talent.  I think it will be a very different team next season.

Even if we had managed to hold on to this team and coaching staff there is still the possibility we wouldn't have been as good or possibly even struggled.  

That's why almost all players and staff go, they have to take their chance to move up as there is no guarantee it will come again.  You're talking in most cases from going from having a decent living to millionaire status. It's not something you gamble on.

I think there is going to be a lot of unrealistic expectation going into next season.  Fans need to realise there won't be any like-for-like replacements.  Every player and coach is an individual and the team is a combination of individuals. There will not be a seamless continuation.

There will be a whole set of new challenges as there always is with every new season.  As a support I hope we recognise that.

Alot of what you say is true.

However there are no clubs in Scotland that are final destination clubs..

All our first team squad are contracted until 2028 so we will only lose whovwe want to let go. We have millions in the bank and will get more this close season. We go straight to the last 16 of the LC so there's no panic at Fir Park. There's alot to be optimistic about. It's almost certain we will recruit a manager more in tune with the continental style of play we adopt. All our coaching staff are drilled in it now. Bums on seats have proved it's a winner.

A decent LC draw and a semi final place is not unrealistic. Our next manager must maintain the no fear of anyone attitude, especially against the OF because we've proved there is fuck all to be afraid of. It's a mindset that must permiate the entire club and become the norm.

Sure it's a bummer to lose Jens but the club is in great shape and given a fair wind we can continue the change in culture. We just need the fans to stay with the club through the transition to the new manager. 

Heads up, fuck all to be gained by looking at our feet. 

[FirParkCornerExile]

2 hours ago, wellup83 said:

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.

The Chairman and CEO will take one look at gate receipts and that will ensure the style we now use becomes the norm. Financial suicide for it not to be. 

[dennyc]

11 minutes ago, weeyin said:

You can never be certain, but JBA to Celtic doesn't seem like a good match for either party. 

Oh, I agree that JBA can find a better fit, less pressure and a more open,  competent ruling Association. He must be sickened by what he has discovered about the way football in this Country is run.

But toxic though a large element are, Celtic fans recognise outstanding football when they see it. And like a few other deluded Clubs see the provision of free flowing, entertaining, attacking football as a right. Add in that the Celtic Board are all too aware of the power they have ceded to the GB and they will see offering Askou the job as a  way of easing hostility and holding on to their positions for a wee while longer. So a political approach rather than the Board's first choice. Appoint another Nancy like disaster ahead of the fans' preference and the insanity will get even further out of control. I would love the meltdown if he did turn down an approach from them in preference to staying with us (1st choice obviously) or moving to a mid table French side. Would speak volumes.

[bobbybingo]

27 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

All our first team squad are contracted until 2028 so we will only lose whovwe want to let go. 

2027 for most of them. If we plan to sell them, it's now or January, unless they do a Fadinger.

[fizoxy]

8 minutes ago, bobbybingo said:

2027 for most of them. If we plan to sell them, it's now or January, unless they do a Fadinger.

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/

 

[Spit_It_Out]

5 minutes ago, bobbybingo said:

2027 for most of them. If we plan to sell them, it's now or January, unless they do a Fadinger.

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

[bobbybingo]

10 minutes ago, fizoxy said:

The majority of our players are contracted until 2028 (a good number of them have club options for that year). Fadinger was one of thr kast 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/

Very happy to be corrected on that. And even more impressed by the folk running our club.

[El Grew]

Players always come and go and that’s just the nature of football. For smaller clubs like ours, the fallout from this, can be very hurtful as it’s hard to find replacements.

Having said that, I believe that the most important element is the manager. It’s to be hoped, that if and when JBA leaves, that having gone down the continental route the last twice, that the club will continue with that.

Having seen how football should and can be played we do not want to return to the garbage served-up by some of the previous incumbents.

[FirParkCornerExile]

1 hour ago, bobbybingo said:

2027 for most of them. If we plan to sell them, it's now or January, unless they do a Fadinger.

No it isn't it's 2028

[bobbybingo]

10 minutes ago, El Grew said:

Players always come and go and that’s just the nature of football. For smaller clubs like ours, the fallout from this, can be very hurtful as it’s hard to find replacements.

Having said that, I believe that the most important element is the manager. It’s to be hoped, that if and when JBA leaves, that having gone down the continental route the last twice, that the club will continue with that.

Having seen how football should and can be played we do not want to return to the garbage served-up by some of the previous incumbents.

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.

[bobbybingo]

5 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

No it isn't it's 2028

Yeah, my apologies. The player profiles I checked on the club website didn't mention the additional year option held by the club. I should've paid more attention at the time.

[FirParkCornerExile]

29 minutes ago, bobbybingo said:

Yeah, my apologies. The player profiles I checked on the club website didn't mention the additional year option held by the club. I should've paid more attention at the time.

No worries every one of us has those moments.

[FirParkCornerExile]

56 minutes ago, bobbybingo said:

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.

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.

[weeyin]

24 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

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.

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