Stuart Kettlewell admits his long-term vision for Motherwell is to see the club back competing in Europe and fighting for a top six spot - but he has warned: 'let's not forget where we were'.
The new Steelmen gaffer was appointed yesterday on a 16-month deal after impressing in a two-game caretaker spell that yielded wins over St Mirren and Hearts.
When he took over in the aftermath of Steven Hammell's sacking just over a week ago, Motherwell were joint-bottom of the table and embroiled in a relegation dogfight. Now they sit ninth and six points clear of rock-bottom Dundee United.
While he admits his hope as manager is to ultimately guide the club back to fighting at the top end of the table for European football, he insists he won't be getting carried away and there is still plenty of work to do this season as they prepare to face 10th-place Kilmarnock on Saturday in his first away game at the helm.
Speaking at his first press conference after his appointment, Kettlewell said: "I am delighted to be offered the role and to accept it - and accept it because I have a genuine belief, along with senior figures at the football club, that there is something that can be achieved and success we can gain as a football club.
"Let's not forget where we were this time last Wednesday morning, when we were bottom of the league and nobody gave us a chance.
"Nobody thought Motherwell were going to survive in the Premiership.
"It's only two good games of football, both at home.
"We face a different challenge on Saturday now, going down to Kilmarnock where they are very good and have picked up the vast majority of their points.
"So I probably need to reiterate that message - let's not forget where we were not so long ago.
"The situation has created a lot of hype and attention - and that's great - but we have to be realistic here."
But asked about what he could tell fans about his long-term plans, he added: "This football club has had the opportunity to play in Europe and on occasions been a top six club and been firmly in that mix, so I am not going to shy away from that task.
"I think it is one of the biggest football clubs in this country. It is right up there.
"We all know the bracket of Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs but when you look at the achievements of the Livingstons and St Mirrens this season, we firmly want to be in that mix.
"We want to be in that top half of the table and achieve some kind of European football, and get on that journey."
The Steelmen started the season playing in Europe but they suffered a disastrous UEFA Conference League second qualifying round exit to Sligo Rovers that saw Hammell come in at the expense of Graham Alexander.
Asked if European football should be the target for the Steelmen every season, Motherwell's third gaffer in this campaign added: "Yes. It's very easy for me to say but I do believe it is a possibility because it has happened several times in the past.
"However, we have to understand the resources with other clubs in this country and what they invest in it.
"I speak about the pond that they fish in. When they are investing that level of money, sometimes that allows you to go and fish in a different pond for players.
"I don't think we are anywhere near the top of that resource, but I certainly think we can punch above our weight on the financial side of things."
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