Following the departure of out-of-contract Callum Slattery, many predict more will head for the exit and that this team will be picked apart – but the club are determined to avoid that.
Lukas Fadinger’s recent contract extension means Motherwell’s five most sellable assets – including Elijah Just, Elliot Watt, Tawanda Maswanhise and Emmanuel Longelo – are all essentially tied down until 2028 when you factor in club-held options to extend each of their deals.
Even the sales of a couple of those would mean a second successive summer of transformational income for a fan-owned club already on a sound financial footing.
Askou leaves big boots to fill after helping spike attendances and expectations, but it is still difficult to think of a recent time when Motherwell – and Scottish football in general – has been as inviting a proposition.
High player turnover is usually the theme of a summer at Fir Park, but a settled squad that have shown they can play in such a complex yet attractive manner is waiting for the new manager.
Planning is also under way to construct a new training complex and in July there are Conference League qualifiers to embrace for a team that looks like it could thrive in Europe.
However, the club will take their time following the same data-driven process that led them to Wimmer and Askou before the players return for pre-season.
Attempting to predict runners and riders for the vacancy would likely be a waste of time, given no Motherwell fan had uttered the names of Wimmer or Askou before their appointments.
Do not be surprised if a third straight appointment has the same left-field vibe.
