Motherwell 'consider' Dunfermline boss among potential next manager candidates

Motherwell are reportedly considering Dunfermline boss James McPake to be their new manager.

The Steelmen are on the hunt for a new gaffer after Steven Hammell was sacked on Saturday, following the club's Scottish Cup fifth round exit at the hands of Championship side Raith Rovers.

Development coach Stuart Kettlewell has been handed the job on interim basis while the Fir Park hierarchy contemplate the best candidate to lead the club's survival bid at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

But The Courier are reporting that Pars boss McPake - whose side are currently top of League One - was among the names being discussed at a board meeting yesterday.

The 38-year-old has Premiership experience having guided Dundee to the top flight in 2021/22 but he was sacked the following season with the club sitting second from bottom, before they were ultimately relegated back to the Championship.

McPake was appointed Pars boss in May and they are currently seven points clear of Falkirk at the League One summit.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that former Inter Milan star and Brazil international Ze Maria has applied for the Motherwell manager's job.

The 49-year-old is currently youth technical assistant coach at Italian Serie B side Parma.

Motherwell are currently preparing for tomorrow night's home clash with St Mirren, which will be Kettlewell's first game in interim charge and this morning he is fielding questions at his first press conference since taking on the role.

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