Motherwell’s Premiership status under threat as Robinson admits “I’ve taken it as far as I can”

Photo Via ConnorMcDiarmi2 on Twitter

The Northern Irish manager has resigned following three successful years at Motherwell admitting he has taken the club “as far as he can."

Motherwell were defeated 2-0 at home by an out of form Kilmarnock side last Wednesday to compile their winless run to nine games.

Following full time, Robinson approached the Motherwell board to offer his resignation.

"After Wednesday night's match with Kilmarnock, Stephen approached the board, giving an honest assessment of the current situation," Motherwell said in a statement.

"It is with regret that the board accepted his resignation."

Following their defeat to Kilmarnock, Motherwell who finished 3rd last season, currently sit two points above the foot of the table scoring only five goals since the start of November.

Throughout his tenure as Motherwell manager, Robinson guided Motherwell to successive cup finals, a 3rd place finish and European football.

Additionally, he helped clear the club’s outstanding debts following the sale of youth star David Turnbull to Celtic and Jake Hastie to Rangers. Therefore, Motherwell fans are eager to know what the catalyst for their plummet this season has been.

Despite successfully rebuilding his squad each season, Robinson’s recruitment this summer has failed to impress with five new forwards collectively scoring eight goals all season.

He gave an honest assessment to BBC Scotland about his signings following Wednesdays defeat to Kilmarnock.

“Players that we’ve signed or brought back to the club haven’t performed yet. I have about seven or eight players scrapping for the football club and some people haven't.”

"But ultimately, it's my fault, I take the blame. It's my team and my signings and it's me that has to look myself in the mirror at night and it's not been good enough.”

"I care for this football club, it means a lot to me, and ultimately if I'm not doing my job right, I'll be the first person to hold my hands up. I hope the players do the same.”

"We need players that are going to fight and scrap and do the dirty bits and tonight when we went 1-0 down, we looked like a team short of confidence.”

Motherwell’s chief executive Alan Burrows and the Motherwell Board have a critical decision to make as to who Stephen Robinson’s successor will be.

“Despite the current restrictions, the board will now run a thorough process to identify the right person to take the manager’s post. This will move at pace, mindful of the busy fixture list and the January transfer window’s impending opening.” Motherwell said in a statement.

Current assistant manager and former captain Keith Lasley is the favourite for the position. He will take charge of Motherwell’s first game of 2021 against local rivals Hamilton.

Stephen Robinson’s next role in football is yet unclear with the experienced manager choosing to take a break from management.

“I would like to thank everyone at Motherwell FC for their support throughout my time here, both as manager and assistant,” Robinson said. We have qualified for Europe, reached two cup finals, and achieved a third-place finish, on top of developing some wonderful players in my time here."

"We cleared the club’s external debt through player sales, cup runs and league positions. I’m sure that they will have a strong finish to the season with the brilliant coaching staff currently there."

"My goal was always to leave the club in a healthier position. I believe the staff and I have done this.

I now feel it is the time for someone new to take the club forward as I feel I have taken it as far as I can."

"I would like to put on record my thanks to Jim McMahon, Alan Burrows, and the rest of the board, as well as the fans for their loyalty and support to my family and I throughout. I will take a short break before looking at new challenges ahead. But my family and I will forever be Motherwell fans. I wish the staff, supporters and club every success in the future."