Graham Alexander has been named as the new Motherwell manager.
The former Scotland international had a lengthy playing career with the likes of Burnley, Preston North End, Scunthorpe United and Luton Town. He moved into management in 2012 at Fleetwood Town, before taking the Scunthorpe job and most recently the reigns at Salford City.
Alexander managed to get the Peninsula Stadium side into the Football League in 2019, sacked in October 2020 with the club sat 5th in League Two. He now becomes the man to succeed Stephen Robinson, beating Simon Grayson, Keith Lasley and Tommy Wright to the role.
Speaking on his appointment at Fir Park, Alexander said: “I am delighted to have been handed this role at a great club. People will get to understand the hard work I put in, along with my staff and players. I have always brought that to every club, as a player and a manager.
“It’s something different. It is something I am really excited about. I have been a manager now for seven to eight years, and had success with the three clubs I’ve been at. But this is out of my comfort zone. I’m someone who is up for a challenge, and I will get that here.
“I spoke to Stephen Robinson, as we played together at Preston. He said nothing but good things. That together with what I heard from the board meant it was a challenge I wanted to take on.
“The obvious first objective is to win on Saturday. This is a team which is underperforming but there is talent there. We are in a month where we can also make additions, but there is no way I see this current group should be where they are.
“I believe in producing young talent and I’ve always given chances. The board have made clear what they see as success for Motherwell, and I want to exceed those expectations.
“I’ve seen if you work hard enough, you can achieve whatever you want. But the work has to go in. And that not only comes from me, it comes from the whole group. My role is a manager is to get that working straight away.”
Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon has explained why Alexander is the right man: “The calibre of candidates for the role was high, as were the qualities shown by those we interviewed.
“Graham has demonstrated to us he is the man to take us forward. He fits the profile of what we expect a Motherwell manager to be. He is dynamic. He is hungry. He will lead from the front and shares in our belief of developing talent. He also has a track record of success, leading clubs to promotions and cup finals.”
The new Motherwell manager will be joined by his long-term assistant Chris Lucketti, a former captain of Huddersfield Town who made over 600 career appearances, while current assistant Keith Lasley will also remain on the coaching staff.
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