Former Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has sent a message to Motherwell fans after breaking his silence on his resignation.
Kettlewell shocked Scottish football when he left Motherwell in January on his own terms, citing abuse from fans that was affecting his family on matchdays.
On the day of the stunning announcement, Motherwell fans reacted with sadness and disappointment that Kettlewell left under those circumstances.
Three weeks on, Kettlewell broke his silence in an interview with The Scottish Sun and admitted staying at Motherwell could have led to direct confrontations with fans at Fir Park.
He said that leaving Motherwell was one of the biggest decisions of his life but does not have any regrets.
Stuart Kettlewell talks about Motherwell fans and banner
Now, Kettlewell has provided a separate interview to Sky Sports News and wanted to stress that his decision to resign was down to a ‘small minority’ of fans – not the entire Motherwell fanbase.
He then revealed he was sent an image by the Motherwell kit man which showed a ‘thank you’ banner placed across the main Fir Park gates.
Kettlewell really appreciates the support he’s had from the majority of Motherwell fans when in his post as manager and after his resignation.
The 40-year-old from Glasgow explained: “It wasn’t a decision that was labelled against the entire Motherwell support, if you like, and it’s never an entire support. It’s never that.
“Sometimes it can be that real small minority where sometimes the noise can be louder and the purpose of what they’re saying can have more of an effect, essentially.
“I’ve had a lot of real, real good support in my two years at Motherwell, a lot of good support. And subsequently, I’ve had some real good support, an outpouring from many individuals, many groups.
“There was something that was sent to me by the kit man at Motherwell, who I respect so much, 25 years in the job and he sent me a message and a picture of a banner that had been put up. And I appreciate that, I really do.
“Again, that was never my point, to try and feel the love or have people to come out and tell you how much they respect you or the job that you do. But I would hope and I would expect people to appreciate sometimes.
“You don’t just keep kicking the can down the road till we see whether things get much, much worse and to see whether it has a greater impact on the people that you have to go home to every single day.”
Motherwell have new manager in Michael Wimmer
Kettlewell left Motherwell with the club sitting 5th in the Premiership table despite a bad run of form before his surprise resignation.
Stephen Frail took interim charge of two matches in the aftermath as Motherwell lost to both Celtic and Ross County.
As a result, the Steelmen have slipped down to 8th and are only four points above Dundee who occupy the dreaded relegation play-off spot.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 5 |  HibernianHibernian | 26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 34 |
| 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 |
| 10 |  Ross CountyRoss County | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 27 | 47 | -20 | 29 |
| 11 |  DundeeDundee | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 38 | 55 | -17 | 27 |
German boss Michael Wimmer is now Motherwell’s new manager and has prioritised delivering his style of play across to his new players.
He has targeted a top six finish come May but warned it could take some time for the squad to adapt to his new methods.
Wimmer told the press at his first press conference: “I think it’s important now to get my playing style and ideas into the club and also to find the balance (of short-term and long-term gains) before the table will split.
“It’s also very important that we are successful and get points. So I want to achieve and reach the top six, yes.”