Graham Alexander has broken his silence after being sacked by Motherwell.
The former Fir Park boss left the Steelmen after a bruising Europa Conference League qualifying defeat to Sligo Rovers. The Irish League side left Lanarkshire with a 1-0 first leg lead, and only increased the deficit back home, beating Motherwell 2-0 at the Showgrounds seven days later. Alexander was gone the following afternoon. Academy director Steven Hammell has been placed in temporary charge, with the club’s post-war record appearance holder overseeing a 1-0 win away to St Mirren days later in their Premiership season opener.
Now Alexander has opened up on his dismissal following a poor run of form last season, that was only exacerbated by being dumped out of Europe at the first hurdle. Ina statement released via the League Managers Association, the former Scotland international reflected on the “daunting” challenge he and assistant Chris Lucketti faced when taking the reigns 18 months ago.
It read: “Whilst mine and Chris Lucketti’s time at Motherwell Football Club has come to an end, it is a period that I will always remember fondly and be proud of what we achieved during our time in charge. First, I would like to thank the board for giving us the opportunity to lead the club and for their continued support throughout my tenure. The staff behind the scenes have been great, and my support staff have been incredible to work with making it a joy to go into work every day.
“It has been a privilege to coach the players and they deserve so much credit for what we achieved. We have made many friends and that means as much to us as our record of results. When we were trusted with leading the club 18 months ago, it was a daunting challenge. Bottom of the league and staring relegation in the face, the task was quite clear. Succeeding in preserving Motherwell’s SPL status, with a few games to spare, was so important to the club both on and off the pitch, as we knew what relegation would mean to the club and its fans.
“Our next challenge was to trim and improve the squad, to create a group of players that could aim for a top half finish. Whilst focussing on those aims, we also reintroduced the U/18’s back into full-time training, allowing us to include several academy players in our senior squad.
“In our only full season, we managed to do all of this and qualify for Europe, after spending 27 weeks of the season in the top six. That achievement is one that everyone at the club can look back on with pride.
“I will always remember what we, as a team, achieved together – qualifying for Europe, earning the third highest points tally behind only Celtic and Rangers, and being the fourth highest scorers across the league. It has been a fantastic 18 months. Finally, thank you to the supporters who got behind the team and helped us to reach Europe last season.
“Good luck to everyone and take care.”
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