Motherwell defender Stephen O’Donnell has revealed the whole Fir Park dressing room have been left “shocked” and “disappointed” following the resignation of their manager Stuart Kettlewell on Monday.
The Steelmen had won just one of their last eight Scottish Premiership matches yet still sit fifth in the league standings.
Kettlewell has stepped down as Motherwell boss, with the club revealing that the 40-year-old made the decision due to personal abuse he faced amid a recent dip in form.
The fan-owned club’s board of directors stated they had reluctantly accepted Kettlewell’s resignation.
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Reacting to the news in an interview with Sky Sports, O’Donnell said: “I think there’s a sense of shock.
“We know having been in the dressing room that results haven’t been good enough and some of the performances haven’t been good enough.
“I think collectively we’ve all taken responsibility for that. But maybe we didn’t realise the strain that was being put on the manager.
“I understand that they are the head of the club, so they are going to be getting criticism as do the players.
“But I’m just really shocked and disappointed that it was to the level that it was that’s made him think that it’s best for him to step away for his family.
“I totally respect his decision. I’ve sat doing interviews when manager’s have left and at times you’re kind of having to say a party line but this club wasn’t in dismay. I’ve been there when a manager leaving has been a sigh of relief and that certainly isn’t the case.
“He did always give us a plan and I think the full dressing room is shocked and disappointed.
“It brings fresh opportunities for players and that’s always going to be the case when a manager leaves. But our thoughts are with him and his family just now.
“He was never the kind of guy to shy away from much, just ask the fourth officials, I’m sure they’ll give you the same answer. So, it shows you the toll that it was taking on him and his family was pretty disappointing.”
