Stephen O’Donnell asks Motherwell fans for one thing as he gives Michael Wimmer verdict

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Michael Wimmer is in the door at Motherwell and has conducted his first couple of training sessions as the club’s new manager.

Wimmer was appointed Stuart Kettlewell’s permanent successor at Fir Park after the latter shocked Scottish football by resigning from his post.

Kettlewell cited personal abuse from the stands affecting his family as his main reason for departing Motherwell and admits it was one of the biggest decisions of his life.

Wimmer is now in post having garnered experience managing Stuttgart in the Bundesliga and Austria Wien afterwards.

The German revealed his first priority is to deliver his principles and style of play across to his new players before targeting a top six finish in the Premiership.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	St MirrenSt Mirren	26	9	4	13	30	39	-9	31
7	KilmarnockKilmarnock	26	8	7	11	31	41	-10	31
8	MotherwellMotherwell	26	9	4	13	30	45	-15	31
9	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	26	8	6	12	35	36	-1	30

Wimmer has now conducted two training sessions with a double session planned for Thursday, as revealed by Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday.

• READ MORE: Peter Grant explains ‘disappointment’ at Motherwell Michael Wimmer pick ahead of Scottish coaches

O’Donnell asks Motherwell fans for Wimmer patience

And vice-captain Stephen O’Donnell has been speaking to the press about his first impressions of Wimmer and what his first few training sessions have looked and felt like.

Moreover, O’Donnell understands Wimmer will need time to implement his ideas and asked Motherwell fans to remain patient amid a poor run of form.

O’Donnell said: “First impressions have been really good. We don’t know too much about him, but he has come in, is pretty clear about what he’s wanting, and hopefully he brings back a smile.

“He’s said that he wants to try and bring some fun, and hopefully we can do that and it will start to translate on a Saturday.

“With a new manager coming in, it gives everyone a fresh start. You saw that in training on Tuesday, the team was together for the first time.

“There was an energy, an enthusiasm, and hopefully that will continue for the remainder of the season.

“The ideas are clear, what he wants from us, what he starts to expect from us, and as the days go on, we’ll get better. It doesn’t look as if he’s ripping up everything, so that’s always a good start.

“I think ‘buy’ in is important with any manager, system or style. All we can ask for as players is a clear message, it’s all I’ve ever asked for, and when you get that, it gives you a chance.

“Everything he’s spoken about already has been together, as a team, and I think that will stand us in good stead.

“All I would ask for is that the fans give the team that the gaffer picks, and the changes, a wee bit of time, to hopefully start to see an improvement.”

Michael Wimmer’s managerial record

As mentioned, Wimmer was head coach of just two clubs before coming to Motherwell. He started as interim boss of Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

That was at the beginning of the 2022/23 season with Stuttgart going through an unsustainable period in their modern history.

Wimmer took charge of eight games and won four of them, while losing three and drawing the other. Not too long afterwards, he was appointed Austria Wien’s new manager.

His 17 months there, however, was considered a failure. He led them to a 5th placed finish in the Austrian Bundesliga which guaranteed them a Europa Conference League second qualifying round spot.

Austria Wien beat FK Borac Banja Luka before losing in the next stage against Legia Warsaw. In the 2023/24 league season, Wimmer guided his team to 8th.

But he didn’t actually finish the campaign as he was sacked in May with just one Austrian Bundesliga matchday to go. Wimmer ended his time at Austria Wien with a 44.26 win percentage.