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We have today parted company with manager Graham Alexander by mutual consent.

Graham will leave the club along with his assistant Chris Lucketti.

“Graham asked to speak with us early on Friday morning, and everyone agreed that it would be best to make a change,” chairman Jim McMahon said.

“We asked Graham to reverse our fortunes when he arrived eighteen months ago and he did that, before a really solid start to his first full season at Fir Park laid the foundations for what ultimately led to a fifth place finish and European football.

“However, things haven’t gone as well for a spell in 2022 and although the timing is not ideal, we hope a change will bring about fresh impetus for everyone ahead of the 2022/23 season.

“I would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Graham and Chris for all their hard work and effort and wish them every success in their future careers.”

Graham added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Motherwell and leave with nothing but good wishes for the club in the future.

“I’m proud that we came in with the club joint bottom of the Premiership, and 18 months later leave having first secured our Premiership status, then qualified for Europe in our first full season. Our points tally in that time is only behind Rangers & Celtic.

“I also want to thank everyone who has worked so hard alongside us, and for the support I have received from Alan Burrows, Jim McMahon and the board of directors. It has been a pleasure to represent Motherwell Football Club.”

“We have to be honest with ourselves. We weren’t good enough tonight.”

Striker and fan favourite Kevin van Veen has penned a one-year contract extension keeping the Dutchman at Fir Park until the summer of 2024. 

Van Veen joined Motherwell from Scunthorpe in the summer of 2021 and was our top-goalscorer in his first season at the club, scoring 11 goals.

“I’m glad we have secured Kevin for another two seasons after a great impact in his first year with us,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“He has flourished being in a place where he has trust, respect and a team he enjoys playing with. I believe he has even more in the tank and I know how much he wants to help us continue our success from last year.”

Motherwell travel to Ireland for the second leg of their Europa Conference League second qualifying round match against Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds. 

Kick-off is 7pm.

Tickets

All tickets for Motherwell supporters for the match have sold out.

How to Follow the Game Online

If you are in the UK, the game will be live on Premier Sports one. You can find this on your Sky television on channel 412 and on Virgin Media, channel 551.

If you are outwith the UK, the match will be broadcast live on LOI TV.

Tale of the Tape

Motherwell and Sligo Rovers faced off in the first leg on Thursday night, with the Irish side coming away with a narrow 1-0 victory.

Looking to overcome the deficit, the Steelmen travel to The Showgrounds knowing that with no away goal rule in UEFA competitions, should they win the match by a one goal margin, the match will go to extra-time.

Should the game remain level on aggregate, the tie will be decided by a penalty shootout.

Form Guide

Sligo remain 23 games into their season with no match last weekend.

They are fifth in the table with an unbeaten record in their domestic league at The Showgrounds since John Russell took over in June.

Motherwell kick off their league campaign this weekend against St Mirren.

Motherwell suffered defeat against Sligo Rovers on Thursday night in their first competitive game of the season.

In pre-season, the ‘Well recorded victories against Vorwarts Steyr and Partick Thistle.

When the first team announced that they would be going to Austria for a pre-season camp, young Kian Speirs could only hope that he would to join them.

A last-minute call meant he had to quickly pack his bags and get to the airport as he would join Graham Alexander and the squad for the week long camp.

After only training a handful of times with the first team, this was Kian’s first real experience of top level training and it gave him an insight into what it takes to be a full time professional.

Rounding off his time in Austria, the midfielder would get game time in a bounce game which has left him hungry for more.

Motherwell will take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle at home in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup. 

The match is scheduled to take place on August 30/31 and is subject to TV selections.

Ticket information will be announced in due course.

Despite a bundle of chances, Motherwell fell to a 1-0 defeat to visitors Sligo Rovers in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

An Aidan Keena goal in the first half was enough to give Sligo the advantage ahead of the second leg next Thursday in Ireland.

Motherwell created the first opening of the game in the opening stages. Summer signing Josh Morris found himself in the danger area and lashed a shot towards goal. The covering Sligo defender got enough of a touch to deflect the ball into the side netting.

Bevis Mugabi was next to try his luck. The Ugandan got up well from a Motherwell free kick and seen his effort comfortably gathered by McNicholas.

Despite the early chances, it would be the visitors who took the lead. A long ball forward found Mugabi back tracking, as he tried to nod the ball back to keeper Liam Kelly, former Hearts man Keena nicked in and knocked the ball over the top of the on rushing goalie to make it 1-0 on 27 minutes.

From then, Kelly wasn’t really troubled but the the Bit O’Reds defence stood strong and limited the Steelmen to few clear chances.

Kevin van Veen looked to bring the game back on level terms shortly after the Sligo goal. He burst through but instead of going for goal, he opted to square to Morris who couldn’t get the ball out of his feet in time to get a shot away.

Barry Maguire tried his luck next with a curling effort which McNicholas produced an excellent stop to keep his side ahead.

On the stroke of half-time, Connor Shields saw his effort go agonisingly wide of the post.

Motherwell continued to press in the second half. Morris had a go from a 20-yard free kick but McNicholas was once again a match for the effort.

Substitute Ross Tierney was introduced from the bench on 64 minutes and immediately was involved in the action. The Irish forward drove into the box and fired a low strike into the side netting.

It would continue to be a frustrating night when Morris fired a header on target but once again the keeper saved in the closing stages.

Motherwell now travel to Ireland next week looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit and keep their European campaign alive.

The G4Claims brand will again feature on the back of first team home and away kits at the bottom.

G4Claims are an accident management and hire car company. They are a family run business who pride themselves on their customer service. Having an accident can be a stressful experience and the company ensure all their customers are cared for to the highest standard.

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with Motherwell Football Club and continue our partnership for the coming season,” G4Claims Director Nicole Rudder said.

“We wish the team all the best and can’t wait to see the boys play in European Competition”

“We’d like to invite supporters of Motherwell Football Club to follow us on our social media platforms for give-aways and competitions.”

“You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube”

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with G4Claims and thank Nicole for her continued support of the club,” Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing at Motherwell FC added.

“We share many values with the company being a family business in the local community and I very much look forward to working with the team this season.”

Our UEFA Europa Conference League first leg match against Sligo Rovers will be streamed online for £12. 

The match is now available to buy here.

Kick-off is at 7:45pm.