Stephen Robinson becomes Motherwell boss on permanent basis

Stephen Robinson has been handed the job on a permanent basis. Picture: SNS

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The Northern Irish coach took over from Mark McGhee after the Scotland assistant was relieved from his duties following a string of disappointing results, culminating in a 5-1 home defeat to Dundee.

Robinson had only just returned to the club as an assistant coach following a six-month spell as manager of Oldham Athletic. The 42-year-old originally came to the club as No.2 with former boss Ian Baraclough, but remained when the Englishman was replaced by McGhee in September last season.

After applying for the job on a permanent basis, Robinson beat off competition from the likes of John Hughes and Simo Valakari, signing a contract until May 2018.

He’ll now look to build on a promising start in charge of the Fir Park first-team. The Steelmen ended a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win at Kilmarnock in his first match, before they were narrowly defeated 1-0 at Aberdeen last time around.

Robinson told the club’s website: “It’s a great place to be with great people with a support that deserve success.

“My mission from the board is absolutely clear. Firstly, to ensure the team have a strong finish to the SPFL Premiership season and finish as high as we possibly can between now and May.

“Then, to help shape the club going forward with a strong emphasis on hard-work, discipline and a real passion and desire for Motherwell FC that the fans can get behind and be proud of.”

Club chairman Jim McMahon added: “We are extremely pleased Stephen has taken the role of manager and we look forward to working with him in the future.

“The executive board, together with representatives from both the supervisory board and the ‘Well Society, identified a shortlist of five candidates from over fifty applicants and as well as doing a extensive amount of background work, took its time to conclude an rigorous interview process.

“It was clear that Stephen was the outstanding candidate. He has a real vision of what the club needed in the short, medium and long-term and a plan of how he would implement it.

“His values, skills and attributes matched exactly with the criteria we developed to be the manager of this football club and we wish him every success. I would ask our fantastic supporters to get behind Stephen and the players as we aim to finish the campaign strongly.”