MelvinBragg

He's away. His misty eyed comments in the paper today are a clear signal to John Boyle saying he wants to go. And no club can seriously consider going forward with a manager who so clearly doesn't want to be at that club...

Nijholt and Boyd??

Perhaps whether Leitch stays or goes is one of the things that has to be sorted out in the next few days. Nijholt and McCart would appeal sentimentally, and both have coaching experience. But I'd rather have someone with some experiene as a number one...

You say that but any time there's a management job in football, there's a queue around the block for it. OK, some of the candidates will be better than others (remember Joe Miller applied the last time ), but there will be someone in there who will meet our needs. The easy task the Motherwell board now have is finding the diamond in the rough...

I'd be in favour of someone like Jim Gannon assisted by Chris McCart/Tom Boyd/Luc Nijholt. Someone with experience and contacts in England, knowledge of players down there, assisted by someone who knows the club. Gannon is just an example but my blueprint would be MANAGER At least 3 years experience of management, preferably sometime in England. ASSISTANT Knowledge of Motherwell and the way the club works. Some coaching experience. I know that's basically McGhee and Leitch, but if it worked out ok last time, why not...?

"You're just a traitorous sheep shagging bastard..."

Not any more, my friend...

Of the names mentioned, I reckon Duffy's career is on the way down and he'll not be likely to get offered an SPL gig again, and Tommy McLean for all he is a legend, his time is past. I'm working on the assumption that Leitch is leaving with McGhee. Like a few people, I'd like to see Chris McCart feature somewhere in the club's thinking, even if only as a number 2 to a more experienced man. Ideally, we're looking at a similar set up to McGhee and Leitch. An experienced manager, not necessarily with ties to the club, assisted by someone who knows the club and how things work around the place. McCart would be my choice there, particularly as he knows most of the squad. If he's not available/affordable, I'm sure there are other ex Well players people will suggest. As to who the more experienced man would be, sadly I don't know who's out of work and available, but I suspect John Boyle has been thinking about it for some time...

I know this may come as a surprise to some people but I'm not dancing in the streets with the departure of McGhee. Never said he was a bad manager and if ever there was a summer when we don't have time to be messing about looking for a new manager, this was it. However, what's done is done and we move on, at least it's been sorted relatively quickly (I had visions of this dragging on for weeks). As myself and others have pointed out, as soon as Strachan and Calderwood left their posts, John Boyle should have a had a wee 'BREAK GLASS' list made up. I fully expect us to invite applications, but I'd be disappointed if we didn't have at least a couple of names in mind who might be suitable. Mind you, who'd have thought an ex-Reading and Wolves manager would have applied the last time? An interesting week lies ahead...

Not a problem, really. None of them are staying at Fir Park so it doesn't really bother me where they end up. And while they're all decent players, I'm not worrying about how we'll cope without them...

I read that as 'Physio for Manager's Job'. I thought, jeezo, John Porteous, there's a name I hadn't thought of... PS There's already a thread about who we want as manager?

No need to hit the panic button just yet. Our squad is no worse (some might argue it's better) than when McGhee took over. The squad is thin, but it was thin then. And a few folk were interested in the job then, without the carrot of European football. The calibre of applicants might surprise us...

Aberdeen can have McGhee and we can discuss compensation for that. But Clarkson for £300,000??? Away and bite ma shite...

Don't be putting words (or anything else) in my mouth...

Naw, we read the same papers and websites as you. It's not like there's a secret forum where there are exclusives dished out...

What strikes me at the minute is that there seems to be very little strong expression as to whether people want McGhee to stay or go. I sense that among those who would like him to stay there is an air of resignation that he'll be leaving. The overriding sentiment here seems to be one of "whatever happens, get it out the way sooner rather than later so we can put the whole thing to bed". Let's hope it happens sooner rather than later...

Phil O'Donnell

Where is this street and whydo they always hear things first...?

Totally disagree. I reckon Celtic is a far more likely destination as the more their original targets keep knocking them back, it makes them more likely to come for McGhee. I reckon Aberdeen will not want to pay any kind of compensation, and will have a few suitable applicants who are currently out of work. The answer is not to give McGhee money (even of we had any to give him) but to try and get this sorted as soon as possible. Boyle should be on the phone to Celtic and Aberdeen and be saying "You want him? Fine. He want to come to you? Fine. How much you paying? Fine. Let's get it done by Monday or no deal..." I know this is my being naive, but we have to do something to move this along and try and get the club out of limbo...

I mentioned this one a short while ago on this forum. If the TV deal doesn't hit the budget too badly, we should have some flexibility in the wages to at least allow us to pursue him. If rumour is to be believed and Reynolds is on his way, we will need defensive cover...

If we're looking for a left winger, I see Peter Sweeney has been released. Was he not highly thought of a couple of years ago? Just a suggestion as we're missing a 'Worth A Punt?' thread...

You might be right, but another individual at the moment may just be looking a wee bit harder. Are you trying to suggest that McGhee has not had his eye taken off the ball by the Aberdeen and Celtic talk?

I agree with a lot that you've posted on this thread. But what I would say is that we have to replace those who are leaving if we are even to match the season just finished, never mind improve. I think improvement this season would be a massive achievement, and I would be happy with finishing 8th or 9th with the circumstances we are in. As long as the players and the manager we have seem to be giving us 100%, I'll not complain. Let's just hope that the newspapers are right this morning. Not necessarily about McGhee definitely going to Celtic or Aberdeen. But about us finding out today...

I don't actually see where it says Aberdeen's main target is also wanted by Celtic. Don't get me wrong, I see where the Record journo has written it, but all Miller is saying that with a few other vacancies at the moment, it's proving difficult. Could mean they want someone who Hibs also want. John Hughes??

That's my point, Ricky. They already have an EPL game on Saturday lunchtime. And most weeks they have an early Sunday game as well. I think they show league football most weeks on a Friday night too. Which leaves us your last option...