Motherwell have unveiled Jim Gannon as their new boss, with Peter Ward arriving as his assistant.

The former Stockport County boss has been chosen ahead of Aidy Boothroyd, Lawrie Sanchez, and Steve Staunton for the position vacated by Mark McGhee.

"We will be announcing Jim Gannon as the new manager - the club's 20th manager," said a Well statement.

"And he will be in attendance along with his assistant Peter Ward and chairman John Boyle."

Gannon's first competitive match in charge of Motherwell will be in the first round of the Europa League against Llanelli on Thursday.

Captain Stephen Craigan has been acting as caretaker since the players reported for pre-season training last Monday.

But, when Gannon took his first training session exactly a week later, it was with a seriously depleted squad and he is likely to have to delve deep into the club's youth ranks to form his squad against the Welsh side.

Midfielder Steven Hughes, the versatile Bob Malcolm and defender Brian McLean are out of contract, while loan deals have expired for defender Maros Klimpl, striker Cillian Sheridan and goalkeeper Artur Krysiak.

Striker David Clarkson was sold to Bristol City on Monday afternoon, while right-back Paul Quinn could also leave before Thursday's European tie as both Cardiff and Hearts are close to agreeing a fee for the defender.

Ex-Watford boss Boothroyd, former Fulham and Northern Ireland coach Sanchez, and Staunton, who managed the Republic of Ireland, had been interviewed for the Fir Park post, which has been vacant since McGhee joined Aberdeen on 12 June.

Gannon was the last of the short-listed quartet to meet with Boyle and verbally accepted the job at the weekend.

"After a lengthy and in-depth interview process, Gannon emerged as the outstanding candidate," said a statement on the club's website.

Boyle and Gannon have since been finalising contract details and the 40-year-old will now be presented to the media on Tuesday.

Gannon's four-year term at Stockport, during which he led them to promotion to League One, came to an end in May after the club went into administration.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Are Motherwell fans happy with the news?

In February, he had rejected an offer to go to Brighton and he was later linked with the vacancy eventually filled by John Hughes at Hibernian.

A number of former Motherwell players had also been linked with the vacancy at Fir Park, including Luc Nijholt, Miodrag Krivokapic and Chris McCart.

It was also thought that former Coventry and Leeds manager Gary McAllister was interested, despite previously turning down the job with the club with whom he started his playing career.

Gannon began his playing career as a defender for Dundalk in Ireland, where he grew up, before going on to sign permanent deals with Sheffield United, Crewe and Stockport - where he made over 400 appearances in 10 years.

He ended his playing days at Shelbourne, where he took his first managerial appointment in June 2004.

In December the following year, he returned to Stockport, helping them avoid relegation.

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