Stuart McCall stays at Motherwell after Sheffield United talks

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Motherwell manager Stuart McCall

Stuart McCall has decided to stay on as Motherwell manager following talks with Sheffield United.

about the vacancy.

Danny Wilson left Bramall Lane in April and caretaker Chris Morgan oversaw an unsuccessful promotion play-off campaign.

McCall told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It was a tough decision, but I've decided to turn down the job."

Motherwell finished second in the Scottish Premier League this season, sealing a place in next season's Europa League qualifying rounds.

tying him to the Fir Park club until 2015.

But Motherwell granted the Blades permission to speak to their manager after a formal approach last week.

"It has been a really difficult last few days," McCall told Well's website. "As most people probably know, I spent five great years at Sheffield United.

"I was grateful to the board for allowing me to speak to them, but I went with an open mind.

"I had no desire to leave Motherwell after enjoying two-and-a-half great years at the club.

"There is no doubt Sheffield United are a fantastic club. But, after careful consideration and deliberation, I am more than happy to continue my current role at Fir Park.

"I have built up a tremendous feeling for Motherwell, the people who work at the club and the supporters. It would take something really special to tempt me away."

Motherwell chief executive Leeann Dempster said the Fir Park club were excited about the future under McCall.

"Our admiration for Stuart and the job he has done in the two-and-a-half years at Motherwell is certainly no secret," she said.

"However, we think it is only right never to stand in our staff's way if a big offer comes in.

"That is why we granted permission and respectfully remained silent during the process.

"That being said, we are absolutely delighted our manager has decided to stay with us.

"Stability and continuity when we are changing the squad is very desirable, so it's a huge bonus to have Stuart continue in his current role."

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33 comments

  • Comment posted by monme, at 14:15 27 May 2013

    Glad he knocked them back. It would have been a shame to see a good manager taking such a step backwards, which going to a League One team from Motherwell would have undoubtedly been.

    Also, Motherwell play good passing, exciting football. I'm not sure how that would have gone down in English lower leagues which are all about the hoofball.

  • Comment posted by AP, at 19:51 27 May 2013

    Delighted McCall has chosen to stay. I have a wry smile thinking how this news will be met by those posters who took it for granted he would go to Utd once the Blades registered their interest; and the sneering at little Motherwell and their joke of a league. When the dust settles McCall still faces a huge task to rebuild the squad for next season. Get to it Stuarty!!

  • Comment posted by AP, at 19:40 27 May 2013

    Warning. Statto alert! @9 & @16 Motherwell were either sitting in first or second place after 20 of our 38 fixtures. We were in second place from 27th February through to the end of the season.

  • Comment posted by U15620292, at 12:55 27 May 2013

    @2 kingfootballexpert4eva - I think you need to change your username if your judgment of talent is based on dress sense.

    McCall has done an excellent job, communicates well with the fans and motivates the players. He's also got Motherwell playing some outstanding football.

    I'd be delighted if he stays but it's going to be a long Summer.

  • Comment posted by Thistledubhme, at 16:49 27 May 2013

    Good result for Well, and full marks to the chairman for allowing him to talk to Sheffield United. Alan Pardew was at Reading and was denied permission to talk to West Ham, and because of this, he left Reading. Motherwell were confident that he would stay and gave permission cementing the trust between them. Not often chairmen get praise from fans!

  • Comment posted by U15722952, at 14:47 27 May 2013

    Tremendous news! Thank you Stuart McCall for all that you have done for our Motherwell FC and best wishes for the future.

  • Comment posted by U15738140, at 13:46 27 May 2013

    It's a happy day to hear Stuart McCall is staying at Motherwell, he is such a great guy I have met him in person and he has no airs or graces he loves the fans. The fans love him which they made very clear at Fir Park aginst Ross County the singing was unbelievable. As a Motherwell fan I would like to thank Stuart for all the hard work he has put into getting us where we are today well done Stuart

  • Comment posted by U15064232, at 12:25 29 May 2013

    it is good to see loyalty still means somehting is this current climate of hire and fire managers at a whim.now all we need to do at the mighty Well is secure a team of players for next season.with only 2 strikers on the books good to see a bid turned down for Ojamma

  • Comment posted by blades_fan25, at 11:41 29 May 2013

    I for one would like to have seen Stuart back at the blades but I wouldn't risk taking our managers job either with a board not willing to spend or keep our quality youth players that come through at the minute it hurts to say but it feels like we are a dead end club

  • Comment posted by objectif, at 07:53 29 May 2013

    First Butcher and now McCall shunning english overtures to remain with 'less fashionable' clubs; perhaps Scottish football has more appeal than critics would have us believe. Perhaps not as close to death either. Besides, I think McCall has one eye on the gers job

  • Comment posted by Daddy, at 16:15 28 May 2013

    I had a 5er on him for the Everton job. Surprised he's not been mentioned considering they're thinking about Stubbs or Neville.

  • Comment posted by U15736505, at 13:49 28 May 2013

    to encourage more away fans you reduce prices for them substantially, by arrangement/ agreement with individual clubs. £10 max free programme free refreshment. the cost of travelling is too high now, and in addition travel in dec/jan is understandably avoided, so close down during period of least daylight, plus save a couple of bob on f/lights

  • Comment posted by U15620292, at 11:02 28 May 2013

    @5317704 - that is a tough question. We play entertaining football, have had excellent success and even brought Faddy back (which I thought would have a bigger crowd impact). People turn out for Euro games as it's something new, perhaps playing teams 4 times a year isn't working. The other reason could be cost, although prices have been fixed for the last few years (down in real terms).

  • Comment posted by AP, at 07:54 28 May 2013

    @26 MFC will tell you our home support has risen but that away followings have collapsed. You mention Hearts. The right conditions and they could bring 4000 these days it's more like 800 tops. We've also suffered for having so many non Saturday 3pm games too e.g ICT, County & St Johnstone bringing less than 150 on Sunday afternoons. Even the last Celtic game saw big spaces in the away end.

  • Comment posted by U15722952, at 05:36 28 May 2013

    @Steelman86. I must say I have been disappointed at the attendances at FP over the last 5 years, perhaps longer. Our average attendances used to be around 6,000 and with Hearts we used to draw 10,000. We deserve better the way we have been playing and being runners up in the SPL this season and in European competition again, we can't ask for better. How do we get more people to Fir Park?

  • Comment posted by U15620292, at 23:16 27 May 2013

    @20 TrollHunter. With a population of 30,000 Motherwell achieve a crowd that equates to approx 18% of the population. With a population of 500,000 both Sheffield clubs combined manage 8% of the population. I think you could do better.

  • Comment posted by FridayYodel, at 20:14 27 May 2013

    It is quite refreshing that notions of loyalty and affection had a part in his decision to stay at Motherwell, things that feature more rarely in this "business" of professional football. It still wouldn't surprise me though if he turned this job down because he knew a better one was in the offing.

  • Comment posted by U15736505, at 19:40 27 May 2013

    @20 cant be much else to do in Sheffield. And the reason why mr McCall didn't go to this giant club was ? possibly it would be impossible to win anything at any time in the foreseeable future, in fact have utd ever won anything? just give up and walk your whippet

  • Comment posted by U15527987, at 17:48 27 May 2013

    Delighted to see Stuart McCall staying with Motherwell. It's great for Motherwelll and for Scottish football. Now then, Mr Law what about all that baloney about McCall definitely leaving? Or was that really just baloney reporting from our Scottish tabloid newspapers or should I say tabloid comic books?

  • Comment posted by Tartanian, at 16:29 27 May 2013

    I recall another 'Well manager expressing an interest in moving on; he stayed, and was a catastrophe from then on.

    I just hope that McCall doesn't follow in McGhee's footsteps to that extent.

    Of course, if The Rangers continue to toil, one "McC" might be in line to replace another.



    @9, RyanAFCT: "...Inverness were second for most of the season."

    True, but prizes are awarded at the end.

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