Motherwell fans have say as Kettlewell quits over abuse

Stuart Kettlewell resigned from his position as Motherwell’s manager on Monday after two years, citing abuse the fans were causing to him and his family.

The club is fifth in the Scottish Premiership, but it has lost three games in a row, lost four without winning, and lost just one game overall.

Fans have the right to voice their opinions, but abusive behavior is excessive. We constantly overspend on resources and need to be realistic.

Thanks Stuart, sorry and good luck.

Bear: For a fan-owned club, with so called ‘ great links with the community ‘ at its core, this is an embarrassing outcome – a wonderful manager, hounded out of the club, by clueless fans.

Motherwell will struggle to find another manager, as good as he was. Hope SK gets a job where he is appreciated.

Garry: I’ve been a Motherwell supporter since I was a young child in the 1970s. The home dugout is directly behind my seat. Stuart was clearly passionate about Motherwell.

I feel embarrassed that he has targeted us because he saved us, drove us to a semi, and made money for us.

All the best Stuart. I’m afraid for my team right now because you deserve better.

Anon: This is a very sad day. Yes, the team are not performing great, but the manager is only part of that, he should not be taking all the responsibility. The team should also bear responsibility for their part of the blame because it is obvious that they aren’t doing it.

We need to stop phone-in experts chiming in. You can choose to support or oppose the club.

Michael: Not sure who is out there at the moment. Fans of Well need to be careful with their wishes, in my opinion.

Kettlewell was able to turn it around. Will a different manager have the same effect? I’m not so sure.

Stuart: It’s a shame he has had to resign due to personal attacks.

Billy Brown, chairman of the League Managers Association, on BBC Radio Scotland.

A hard-working man like Stuart being forced out the game to protect his family shouldn’t be happening. Stuart would’ve stayed but once it starts affecting your family, it’s a different ball game.

He’s been doing very well. Fifth in the league, Motherwell are. They’re above Hearts and Hibs and he’s been getting abuse, which is absolutely disgraceful.

The previous Fir Park manager, Stephen Robinson, lasted more than two-and-a-half years.

The Northern Irishman won 71 and drew 30 of his 169 games games in charge. Steven Hammell had a 25% win percentage and Graham Alexander had 39%.

Kettlewell’s 35 wins and 24 draws from 91games, which included two as caretaker, gives him a comparable record with Alexander albeit with a lower win ratio (38%).

Win statistics can only reveal so much, of course; each individual’s success can be the author’s. Kettlewell came in mid-season and achieved a seventh-placed finish at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. Last term they ended ninth.

Fans of Motherwell were concerned about the performances.

Although results weren’t necessarily poor, a lot of fans weren’t happy with the style of football – minimal possession with a heavy reliance on counter-attacking.

Back-to-back defeats in the Scottish Cup and league against bottom-of-the-table St Johnstone in Kettlewell’s last two games in charge exacerbated that.

Motherwell have the fewest shots and the lowest possession rate of any top flight team, with an average of 37.7%. Only Ross County and St. Johnstone have received as few touches in the opposition box.

Kettlewell kept a five-man defense and kept the personnel updated. He changed at least one player in each game since Motherwell’s most recent victory, a 2-0 victory over Aberdeen on January 5.

However, it has not been an easy time at Fir Park.

Due to Aston Oxborough’s injury and West Ham’s recall of backup goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi, Motherwell had to sign two new goalkeepers. And then Ross Callahan, Liam Gordon, Paul McGinn, Lennon Miller, Harry Paton, Zach Robinson, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Jair Tavares have all suffered injuries.

Jim: Duncan Ferguson or Barry Robson.

Ronnie: I have no doubts Derek McInnes would do wonders with our squad. He would enter the place right away.

Alun: Tony Docherty.

Jim: I would go for Scott Brown. He’s young and still learning, but hopefully keen to step up a league early in his career?

Taylor: Love what Scott Brown is doing with Ayr, I don’t see them being promoted this season, however. How his play will affect the Motherwell squad will be interesting to watch.

David: Tam Courts could be a good option or Peter Leven from Aberdeen. just someone who makes an effort to advance. Most would be an improvement

Steven: I know not everyone will agree but it has to be Neil Warnock. Let’s snap him up until the end of the season. He’s just a short hop away from Dunoon’s Firth of Clyde, available right away, and he could reverse the decline in performance we’ve seen.

Robert: A little ambitious, perhaps, but James McFadden might be interested if he is persuaded to quit his media position. His devotion to the club and his understanding of the game are unquestionable.