“Stick with us” and renew your season ticket was the message from club Chair, Kyrk MacMillan, as he kicked-off the search for a new manager along with Well Society Director Greg Anderson and club Chief Executive Brian Caldwell.
In a special video update to fans Kyrk talked to the both the departure of Manager Michael Wimmer, and the process around appointing a successor.
Speaking with the club’s media team, Kyrk said, “Now the work begins on finding a new manager. I think for me what’s key is that we follow the same process and principles as last time.
“Once again a subcommittee of the Executive Board – Greg from the Well Society, Brian [Chief Executive] and myself [Chairman] involved with that and that process will now continue over the next period until we get somebody in place.”
Speaking of the previous recruitment campaign, the inaccurate media speculation and the need to keep negotiations confidential, Kyrk added:
“You know – be wary of the papers – how much people read into it would probably be my advice. We deliberately kept it tight because I think it’s important to be respectful of individuals and their personal circumstances. Also, you know some individuals are still with clubs as well, so part of our process was to make sure that it was kept as tight as possible. We’re going to do the same again this time.
“We’re working extremely hard to make sure we get somebody in place as soon as possible, but as I say we need to do the process as well as we can – make sure the due diligence is done as best as possible, or to the highest standard.
The lifeblood of the club
“We used a lot of data last time as well and that’s going to be part of what we’re doing this time, but again it’s about making sure we bring good people to the club. You know the data tells you one side of it, but you know the people side of it – the human side of it – is so important as well. It’s important we marry those two things in this in this process.”
Speaking the importance of a manager who reflects the aspirations of the fans, Kyrk added:
“Michael had built up a really good rapport with the supporters over the last period. For us that’s really important right. You know everybody I think is well aware of how important the supporters are at Motherwell. They’re the lifeblood of the club.
“So you know it’s really important, and I would ask all the fans to stick with us through the process.”
On the importance of fans sticking with the club, Kyrk also announced the club would be extending the season ticket early bird renewal deadline until 20th June.
“We’ve taken a decision to extend the early bird deadline on our season tickets until the 20th of June… We felt that was an appropriate step to show that we are really engaging with everybody and hopefully we see as many faces back at Fir Park next season as possible.
The energy that we’re trying to bring into the club
“There a lot going on behind the scenes… We’re a new board and I think you know we’ve been quite outspoken about what we want to achieve at the club. We’ve been quite outspoken about the fact that we want to grow the revenue off the pitch. That’s a really, really important factor of what we’re trying to do, and the energy that we’re trying to bring into the club,” said Kyrk.
“When people come back after the summer they’ll see a lot of new developments around the stadium. A lot about a lot of those developments are about trying to again uplift the revenue of the football club which means ultimately we’ve got more money to hopefully invest on onto the pitch.”
Well Society and Executive Board Director Greg Anderson, added, “It’s an exciting time for the Well Society, for the Club and for supporters. Across the coming months we’ll see a new manager, strengthened first and women’s teams, a series of fan experience and stadium improvements, and a new season under the Fir Park lights.
“There’s no better time to sign-up for a new season, renew your season ticket and back fan-owned football by signing-up or increasing your Well Society membership. Together we’re stronger and working for a brighter future for Motherwell – on and off the park.”
