Stuart has been consistent in his public remarks about his job at Fir Park. “I've always been happy here” was the quote that made the rounds earlier this week. He has a great rapport with the players and backroom staff and seems to enjoy his work.
Since he took over from Craig Brown two and a half years ago he has steered us to a cup final and 3rd and 2nd placed league finished. He has assembled a team that plays attractive attacking football, has accepted the club’s self imposed financial restrictions and stayed within budget. The ink on his two year extension is hardly dry so we can be take some comfort in the compensation (reported as £130k) that will be due should be tempted to return to Sheffield.
Will he turn his back on us?
The only surprise is that it might be a League One club that tempts him from us. There’s no doubt that any club south of the border can make him an offer way beyond our modest means but can the fourth tier in England offer a better platform for a manager?
When appointed as an assistant coach to the national team, Gordon Strachan said, “He has done a tremendous job at Motherwell and his knowledge of the game, and especially his knowledge of the Scottish scene, will be invaluable. “ He’ll not be able to keep a very close eye on the Scottish scene from Yorkshire!
So there’s nothing else for ‘Well fans but to wait. The age of loyalty demonstrated by Sailor Hunter, George Stevenson, Bobby Ancell and even Tommy McLean is long gone and we live in an age in which short term contracts are broken for with ease. If the need arises we’ll find another manager and build another squad to take the club forward but one constant will remain, the fans.