Motherwell have announced the appointment of former Austria Vienna head coach Michael Wimmer as their new manager.
The 44-year-old German, who previously served as assistant coach at Stuttgart and Augsburg, replaces Stuart Kettlewell, who stepped down citing personal abuse during a challenging period of results.
Wimmer, who last managed Austria Vienna before departing the Generali Arena, was briefly linked with a move to Bristol Rovers in December. However, reports indicated the League One club faced difficulties securing a work permit. Motherwell has confirmed that a work permit has now been successfully arranged for their new boss.
A former player for Lohhof, Dingolfing, and Ismaning, Wimmer transitioned to coaching in 2010 with Nuremberg and later joined Augsburg in 2018.
In 2022, he had a brief stint as interim manager at Stuttgart, securing four wins in eight matches. While in charge of Austria Vienna, Wimmer managed 27 victories in 61 games, though the club finished eighth in the Austrian Bundesliga shortly before his departure.
The Steelmen, currently eighth in the Scottish Premiership following a 3-0 defeat to Ross County, were fifth when Kettlewell exited the role. Stephen Frail, who served as Kettlewell’s assistant and oversaw the recent losses to Celtic and Ross County, has also left the club.