We couldn't stand in his way, admit Motherwell

Published on Friday 12 June 2009 23:18

MOTHERWELL began their search for a new management team today with chairman John Boyle admitting it was "unrealistic" to think he could have stood in the way of Mark McGhee and his assistant Scott Leitch joining Aberdeen.

The Fir Park club came to an amicable agreement with Aberdeen over compensation and McGhee and Leitch were unveiled at Pittodrie yesterday.

Boyle has turned his attention to bringing in a new manager in time for their Europa League campaign which starts at the first qualifying round on 2 July.

"We are extremely sorry to see both Mark and Scott leave for Aberdeen, however, it is unrealistic for us to stand in the way of their career ambitions," Boyle told Motherwell's official website. "Both were great servants to Motherwell and brought us considerable success in the short spell they were at Fir Park.

"They will be missed by everyone at club and we wish them well in their new roles. Meanwhile, at Fir Park, the task begins today to find a new manager. This will be done on a timely basis and we will quickly address what arrangements can be put in place to look after the team during the early European campaign."

Meanwhile Motherwell legend Willie Pettigrew accepts McGhee's decision to leave Fir Park was "inevitable."

Pettigrew, a star striker for the Lanarkshire side in the 1970s, said that Motherwell fans have got used to their club being used as a stepping stone for players and management teams.

"It was inevitable, a foregone conclusion" he said. "It wasn't a question of if, but where and when. To think otherwise would be looking through rose-tinted glasses. The fans are realistic, they know the club are not going to keep the better players and managers.

"If you want to keep them then you have to increase the wage structures and that won't happen. Don't forget, it's not so long ago that Motherwell were in administration. But Motherwell have always been a stepping stone for players and managers.

"Scottish and English football is littered with people who have come from or passed through Motherwell. You look at people who have left the club like Ross McCormack, Lee McCulloch, Gary McAllister, Brian McClair, and you can go all the way back to Ian St John. Even George Burley and Roberto Martinez have been at the club. I think the fans should be proud of that, that should be something they should take pride in."

Pettigrew believes there will be no shortage of takers to take over from McGhee. He said:

"There will be plenty of managers looking for the job and plenty of players coming to the end of their careers who also might fancy it."