Brown set to take over at Motherwell

CRAIG Brown was today expected to answer an SOS from Motherwell following the sudden sacking of manager Jim Gannon.

The Fir Park club, who face Hearts tomorrow, confirmed they hoped to seal a deal with the former Scotland boss which would see him take charge until a permanent successor to Gannon could be found.

Brown, 69, spent eight years at the helm of the national team but has not managed since leaving Preston in 2004.

A Motherwell statement claimed Gannon’s “repeated refusal” to sign a contract was the main reason behind the termination of his employment, and not the poor recent run of seven winless games.

Well chairman John Boyle also questioned Gannon’s commitment to the club.

“It is deeply regrettable that the board have felt it necessary to part company with the manager at this stage of the season, but we have reached a situation where we felt there was no other option,” Boyle’s statement read.

“Generally, results on the field have been satisfactory since Jim Gannon was appointed and the board wishes to make it clear that the decision is not related in any way whatsoever to recent results.

“Over the past couple of months, it has become abundantly clear that the manager was not fully committed to the club and, despite our best efforts, he repeatedly refused to sign a contract.

“Relations between the manager, staff and directors deteriorated to the extent that the situation became untenable.”