'Outstanding' Gannon chosen by Motherwell to succeed McGhee

Published on Sunday 28 June 2009 23:14

JIM Gannon has been tipped to be a success as Motherwell manager after late last week verbally agreeing to become Mark McGhee's successor at Fir Park.

The appointment will be made official in an unveiling later this week after Motherwell identified the former Stockport County manager as the "outstanding candidate" for a post that had attracted the interest of, amongst others, Aidy Boothroyd, Lawrie Sanchez and Steve Staunton.

And Gannon's former team-mate at Stockport, St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes, believes the Irishman's quiet, studious nature marked him out at an early age as a candidate for management as he backed him to rebuild his fledgling coaching career after being made redundant when County went into administration in May.

"He has some good players to work with at Motherwell and I'm sure he will do well there," said McInnes, who will pit his wits against Gannon this season after earning promotion last term with his St Johnstone side.

"He has the experience of working with budgets and working at that level, he has been at a club who went into administration and had a lot of off-field problems. He will bring all that experience with him. He is still relatively young so I'm sure he will be a success."

McInnes played alongside Gannon while on a three-month loan spell at Stockport in 1998 and was struck by the then defender's "deep thinking" nature about football .

"Jim was very quiet," he said. "It seemed like he was a deep thinker about the game and he has gone on to prove successful in his time at Stockport."

Gannon's success in taking Stockport from the brink of relegation from League Two to promotion into League One on a meagre budget

will have appealed to Motherwell as they seek to replicate the success enjoyed under McGhee.

A statement released on the club's website over the weekend read: "After a lengthy and in-depth interview process, Gannon emerged as the outstanding candidate. Following discussions with club chairman John Boyle on Friday, he has verbally accepted the post."

Both parties are to use the start of this week to finalise contract details before the 40-year-old's appointment is formally announced.

Gannon will be plunged in at the deep end with a Europa League first-round qualifier against Llanelli to be negotiated on Thursday, especially

as it was confirmed an offer from Bristol City has been accepted by Motherwell for Scotland striker David Clarkson.

Paul Quinn could also be heading for the exit door after reports suggested Cardiff were close to agreeing a fee for the defender.

FACTFILE

1968: Born 7 September, London.

1988: Begins professional career at Dundalk.

2004: Retires having played for Sheffield Utd, Halifax, Stockport, Notts County and Crewe. June – Appointed manager of Dundalk.

December 27 – Named caretaker manager of Stockport.

2007: March 3 – Stockport set new Football League record winning nine consecutive matches without conceding a goal.

2008: May 26 – Stockport win League Two play-off final beating Rochdale 3-2.

2009: May 6 – Gannon made redundant. June 27 – Gannon verbally accepts Motherwell's offer to become clubs new manager.