Since the era of our great managers (Hunter, Stevenson and Ancell), the tendency has been for short term tenancies. If we exclude the decade when Tommy McLean was in charge there is an average of only 2 or 3 years before manager and club part company. What chance is there to build a team over such a short time?
Much of the problem stems from the perceived need for short term success and the effect of the short term contracts which determine the movements of players. It used to be the case that the test of manager was his ability to mould a team over a number of seasons. He had to be able to develop youngsters and find an occasional import to strengthen his best eleven. Nowadays it seems that continuity at Motherwell is a thing of the past.
Can we find someone who can stay long enough to build a relationship with the fans? Is there someone out there who can commit to the club for a lengthy spell and resist the lure of a bigger club? As fans all we can do is back the board's choice and stick by the players through thick and thin.
For reference the complete list of managers is -
John Hunter 1911-1946
George Stevenson (1946 - 1955)
Bobby Ancell (1955 - 1964)
Bobby Howitt (1964 - 1973)
Ian St. John (1973 - 1974)
Willie McLean (1974 - 1977)
Roger Hynd (1977 - 1978)
Ally McLeod (1978 - 1981)
David Hay (1981 - 1982)
Jock Wallace (1982 - 1983
Bobby Watson (1983 - 1984)
Tommy McLean (1984 - 1994)
Alex McLeish (1994 - 1998
Harri Kampman (1998)
Billy Davies (1998 - 2001)
Eric Black (2001 - 2002)
Terry Butcher (2002 - 2006)
Maurice Malpas (2006 - 2007
Mark McGhee (2007 - 2009)