Motherwell have narrowed their managerial search down to a shortlist of three after they sacked Steven Hammell following their Scottish Cup defeat to Raith Rovers at the weekend.
Former QPR, Bristol Rovers and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has been interviewed for the position, while Jack Ross and former Peterborough United manager Grant McCann have also been sounded out.
Herald and Times Sport understands that Tommy Wright, John Hughes and Ian McCall are not being considered, despite previous reports linking the trio with the position.
Holloway has been out of management since 2020 when he left Grimsby Town, but he has recently explained how he would be keen on a return to football.
Ross was sacked by Dundee United at the start of the current season following dismal results in both the league and Europe, but he also had successful spells at Hibernian and St Mirren.
McCann, who is also in the running was sacked last month by Peterborough, with his side sitting in eighth position in League One, five points off the play-offs.
Stuart Kettlewell is currently Motherwell's interim boss and he guided the Steelmen to their first victory in six months last night against St Mirren.
The former Ross County co-manager has also put his name forward for the job on a full-time basis. He said this week: “We’ve had brief conversations between myself and one or two officials of the club. I’m a planner so I want to understand what’s happening and I’m sure I’ll get some clarity in the coming hours.
“I’ll give you the brutally honest answer: if the football club thought I was the right fit for this job, I would certainly take it into consideration.
“But if they don’t, I had a role here developing young players – that’s the job I came in to take and was fully intent on doing for a period of time and getting success.
“I like to think my CV shows that development (of players) side has been a big part of my make-up as a coach and manager. Even at first-team level, I felt I was pretty successful in developing players, and with that came a degree of success.
“But if the board and chairman don’t feel I’m the right fit for it, that’s fine. I’m not pitching myself for this job. I’m not about being a salesman and trying to audition for anything.
“They’ll know me as a guy and how I work. If that’s something that connects with the board… You have to be specific with this. It’s not just a case of throwing somebody in to do a job. It has to be what the club want for their culture and how they want to try and move the club forward.
“If I fit with that, it might be something I would consider. If I don’t, there will be no ill feeling in any way, shape or form.”
