Motherwell appoint Stuart Kettlewell as manager after successful caretaker spell at Fir Park

Stuart Kettlewell has been appointed as the new manager of Motherwell after impressing during an interim spell in charge.

Kettlewell has signed a deal at Fir Park that runs until the summer of 2024.

The former Ross County manager has been working as a development coach at the club but stepped up to take charge of the first team when Steven Hammell was sacked after a poor run of results.

Kettlewell had an instant impact, guiding the team to a 2-1 win over St Mirren last week before delivering a 2-0 win over third-placed Hearts on Sunday.

The 38-year-old had been on an initial four-man shortlist with Jack Ross, Grant McCann and Ian Holloway, though Ross withdrew from the process. After impressing during his time in the dugout, Kettlewell was handed the chance to return to management two years after he left his position at Ross County.

“Stuart impressed the board, not only with how he has got the team going in the last two games against St Mirren and Hearts, but with his vision for the club,” Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon said.

“We took time to speak to a number of impressive candidates, each of whom had their own strengths, but Stuart was, in our eyes, the best person to take Motherwell forward.

“He has managed at this level, he’s already won a league title and a domestic cup and we could sense from him a real desire and determination to take this role on and improve us across all areas of the football department.”

Kettlewell was delighted to have landed the role.

“I’m immensely proud,” he said. “It’s been a whirlwind eight or nine days.

“I had a burning desire to take the job to see if I can take this club forward and be a catalyst to what we hope will be a good chapter for the football club.”

“I genuinely think I come to Motherwell a better manager than what I was previously and I hope that is something that appeals to the Motherwell supporters.

“There’s some real good players here. I wouldn’t have taken the job had I felt there was a real issue with the playing squad.

“This is a community club. It’s important that we join that up. I think this club is unique. It now becomes my job to drive it forward.”

The new manager will now turn his attention to Motherwell’s next league game, when they face Kilmarnock at home on Saturday in a match that could see them take a major step towards avoiding relegation.

Kettlewell will appoint an assistant manager in due course and the club will fill his previous post as lead development coach.