Motherwell: Where are Scottish Premiership club in manager hunt as Naismith rules himself out?

One man not in the running is former Scotland forward Steven Naismith, who has been out of management since being sacked by Hearts in September.

“For me to go back in, it needs to be the perfect job for me because of family life,” he told Sportsound on Sunday.

“If when Wimmer got the job, there was somebody right behind him that might still be interested, they might go down the same route.

“The other notable names for me are Robbie Neilson and Tony Docherty – both got good reputations domestically and would probably been seen as safe options.”

Until very, very recently, Docherty was the Dundee manager.

After steering them to a top-six finish, he was sacked at the end of his second season after only securing their Premiership status on the final day of the campaign.

His side were very good going forward, but very porous defensively. Consistency was a problem, but their attacking flair, allied to Docherty’s fine first season, may tempt Motherwell to consider him.

Another familiar face is Scott Brown – but could Motherwell tempt the Ayr United boss into his first crack at the Premiership as a manager?

Seen as upwardly mobile in coaching circles, Brown made his disappointment at failing to get Ayr promoted from the second tier clear.

His experience as a player, added to his contacts, plus his coaching credentials with Fleetwood and in the Championship, might fit if Motherwell are looking for a young, Scottish manager.

Or what about Temur Ketsbaia?

The Georgian impressed when interviewed after Kettlewell’s departure but was ultimately passed over in favour of Wimmer.

Most recently coach of the Cyprus national team, Ketsbaia also coached his own national side and has led both AEK Athens and Olympiakos.

His vast experience of the European game and contacts book would make him an attractive proposition, as would his knowledge of the British game, having played for Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Dundee.