Michael Wimmer enjoying growing connection with Motherwell fans

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer feels a growing connection with supporters will make them stronger after they celebrated survival together with banners and beers.

Wimmer and the squad were met by a welcoming party at Fir Park on Saturday after arriving back from Dundee following a 2-1 win which secured their place in the top flight for a 41st consecutive season, a feat that was displayed on an impromptu sign among supporters.

“It’s always a good moment if you come back and the fans are happy, satisfied and not angry,” the German said.

“I was in a situation where I came back and the fans were angry. Not here, but in other clubs.

“So, it was very good and we were also proud to get out of the coach and the fans are there. It was really fantastic. I think it shows that we’re going in the right direction.”

Some fans were rewarded by assistant manager Ahmet Koc, who handed out bottles of lager.

“I think they deserved it and Ahmet is someone who always recognises if someone deserves it or not,” Wimmer laughed.

“He saw the fans outside and he looked at the players and said, no beer for you, I give it to the fans.

“Especially in smaller clubs, it’s important that you have a great togetherness.

“This is the fans, this is the team and this is also the management. If you work hard together and if you love each other, that’s maybe too strong a word, but you have to talk, you have to fight, you have to say what you think.

“But in the end, you have to stay together and you have to decide one way and you have to go this way.

“At the moment it’s good and if we finish the season as well as possible, then we have energy and this energy will bring us over in the summer.”

Wimmer has now won four and drawn two of his nine matches in charge while adapting to a new football culture.

“It was a very tough time also for me as a manager to come in, to have this big squad with 34 players, and also the connection between fans, and also not have much information about the league,” the former Austria Vienna boss said ahead of Saturday’s visit to face Hearts.

“I saw the league on TV of course, but to experience it in the game on a Saturday, it’s another picture.

“And now for me, it’s more clear what we need, what fans expect. So I think now I’m better prepared for the next season.”