Stuart Kettlewell, the esteemed 40-year-old manager of Motherwell, has resigned from his position, marking a significant shift for the Scottish Premiership club. Kettlewell's decision comes just a month shy of his two-year anniversary with the team, amid a period of disappointing performances and personal challenges. Currently ranked fifth in the league, Motherwell has struggled to maintain form, losing three consecutive matches, including a recent 2-1 defeat at St Johnstone. The team has secured only one victory in their last nine games.
The club confirmed that assistant manager Stephen Frail will assume leadership for the upcoming match against Celtic. Frail will be supported by Jon Obika, Richard Foster, and the backroom staff. The match is set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Sunday, offering Frail an immediate test of his interim management.
Motherwell CEO Brian Caldwell expressed regret over Kettlewell's departure. In his statement, Caldwell acknowledged the challenging circumstances that led to the resignation.
"It's really sad that Stuart felt that the time was right to move on." – Brian Caldwell
Kettlewell played an instrumental role in nurturing talent at Motherwell, particularly focusing on academy graduates and young loan players. His efforts in player development were pivotal for the club's strategy and future prospects. Despite these achievements, the abuse directed at Kettlewell became increasingly personal and distressing, affecting his family to such an extent that they chose to avoid attending matches.
Faced with this untenable situation, Kettlewell made the difficult decision to resign on Monday, promptly informing CEO Brian Caldwell of his intentions. The club accepted his resignation "very reluctantly," recognizing the impact of the personal attacks on Kettlewell's family life.
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