Scott Leitch has been handed the role as a caretaker but will apparently not be in the race for the job on a permanent basis. The BBC are reporting it is likely he will, however be involved in the backroom staff. The question is, is Boyle right not to look at Leitch as a candidate? He probably is. Leitch has one season of managerial experience in Dingwall, where he led Ross County to Challenge Cup success but also to Division Two. He has Motherwell in his blood though and his will to win is second to none and would probably bring some of the Butcher ethos of effort back to Fir Park.
Owen Coyle is the favourite though. He has had a good season with St Johnstone. He led his team to wins over four different SPL teams in the cup, the same number of SPL teams that Malpas managed to beat at Motherwell. His side were also seconds away from promotion to the SPL. He certainly knows how to get unfashionable players to grind out results as was shown in the cup quarter final at Fir Park. He is however a bit of a journeyman. Moved from club to club as a player and has already moved from Airdrie in a short managerial career. Also his move from Motherwell the evening before a cup quarter final, ironically against St Johnstone, has not been forgotten.
The problem with being Motherwell is that you are not going to attract a star manager. Some of the other suggestions stand out for their ordinariness. Joe Miller seems to be unreliable and Clyde have not exactly set the heather on fire this season.
The ambitious 'Well fans have made cries for Stephen Kenny. Good guy, potentially good appointment and there is no doubt he would do well. He does however seem committed to Dunfermline and such an appointment seems unlikely.
Former players always seem to be linked, especially ones who have had a crack at management. Gary McAllister and Paul Lambert have been mentioned. McAllister's record is questionable though his knowledge and football brain cannot be questioned. He could be ready for another crack at management but he might be thinking higher than Motherwell. Lambert has done well at Wycombe after the disaster at Livingston, however the criticism of Malpas was charisma. Lambert does seem to come from the same school in this area.
Dunfermline made an ambitious appointment in Kenny and it is possible we could do the same, though after Kampman would we brave enough? Luc Nijholt is the known foreigner who might take it and would no doubt be a popular decision with the fans. Or is there someone who we do not know who might be our Stephen Kenny.