Former Inter Milan star and Brazil international Ze Maria has applied for the Motherwell manager's job, it's been claimed.
The Steelmen have their first game under caretaker Stuart Kettlewell on Wednesday against St Mirren after Steven Hammell was sacked in the wake of Saturday's dismal 3-1 Scottish Cup defeat to Raith Rovers. They are also embroiled in a Premiership relegation battle and need to appoint a pair of hands to steer them away from the dreaded drop to the Championship.
Ex-player Paul Lambert is one name said to have ruled himself out the running as he looks for his next management chance but according to the Scottish Sun, Ze Maria has 'applied' for the role. He was capped 25 times by Brazil and won Serie A with Inter Milan as a player. Motherwell chiefs are said to be 'intrigued' by the contact from the 49-year-old' who is currently technical assistant coach of the youth set-up at Italian Serie B outfit Parma.
Ze Maria has previously managed Italian lower-league outfit Catanzaro, Romanian side Ceahlaul, Kenya’s Gor Mahia and Albanian club KF Tirana. He joined Parma last year.
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