Ex-Partick Thistle boss given coaching role at Motherwell

Motherwell have appointed former Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald as their new lead development coach.

Archibald, 45, takes over from Stuart Kettlewell, who stepped up to the first-team manager's job after Steven Hammell's dismissal.

Archibald, who left his role as assistant manager at Firhill in February, told the club's website: "I'm delighted to be here.

"I spoke with the manager last week and it made this a very easy decision to make.

"When I was manager, one of the best parts of the job was being able to give youngsters their debuts and time on the pitch.

"I started off coaching at youth level so I’m well aware of the challenges that await.

"This is a great football club and I’m looking forward to being a part of it."

Archibald had two spells at Thistle as a defender, in-between a four-year stint at Dundee United.

He retired in 2013 and became interim manager at Thistle in January of that year, before being given the job permanently, and won the First Division title.

He left Thistle in 2018, before returning as assistant to Ian McCall less than 12 months laater.

Boss Stuart Kettlewell told the club's website: "I think getting someone of Alan’s calibre is a massive positive for the club.

“He’s a premiership manager who has lots of experience at the top level.

“The young players here will benefit massively from him.

“I know how important the lead development role is at Motherwell so to get Alan in means I can trust and rely on that role being executed well."

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