Motherwell assistant manager Stephen Robinson is set to leave the club to take over as manager of Oldham Athletic – with former Fir Park boss Ian Baraclough in line to be his number two at Boundary Park.
Robinson was brought to Motherwell by Baraclough as his own assistant before carrying on in the same role under Mark McGhee when Baraclough’s ill-fated reign at the club was brought to an end.
The 41-year-old, who is also assistant manager to Michael O’Neill with Northern Ireland, has held talks with the Latics about taking over from previous manager John Sheridan in what would be his first job as a boss in his own right. If his appointment is confirmed, he is expected to give up his position with his country.
Scotsman Steve Evans, most recently manager of Leeds United, reportedly turned down an offer from Oldham last week, leading to the Football League One side stepping up their interest in Robinson.
Former Hibernian defender and Northern Ireland international Colin Murdock, who is now an agent, is believed to have been instrumental in brokering the move.
Motherwell’s Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows said: “Robbo looks as if he is going to go.
“We’ve given Oldham permission to speak to him, and while it’s a blow, he wants to manage.
“We always try to hire good people, and we understand that with that comes the threat that you might lose them at some stage.
“Adam Stokes left to go to Aberdeen because he is a good physio, and Stephen Robinson will leave to go to Oldham because he is a good assistant manager.
“The fact of the matter is that both of them were appointed to jobs within the last two years, and both of them were obviously admired by other people.
“Losing Stephen is obviously a blow because he is a good assistant manager, a very good coach and he’s good about the club, but if Motherwell Football Club want to continue to be successful, then we just have to go and find the next Stephen Robinson.
“That’s what we need to do – appoint ambitious, talented and hard-working people knowing that with the law of the jungle of football that we exist in, in all likelihood if someone with deeper pockets than us wants to take them, then they take them.
“Stephen has been great for us though, and if he does leave, he goes with our best wishes for the future.”
Meanwhile, Josh Law also looks to be on his way out of the club after manager Mark McGhee let slip in a post-match interview that new signing Richard Tait had been brought in to replace him at right-back.
Law, brother of former Motherwell and Rangers midfielder Nicky, has made 63 appearances for the Fir Park side in a two-year spell at the club.
HeraldSport understands that Motherwell have reluctantly given him permission to look for a new club due to personal issues.
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