MOTHERWELL will announce their new manager today after late night board discussions to whittle down their shortlist to replace Graham Alexander. 

Four men were interviewed for the vacant post this week, including current caretaker manager and head of the Motherwell Academy Steven Hammell, as well as former Fir Park midfielder Simo Valakari, currently the manager of Kuopion Palloseura in his native Finland.

No final decision had been made as of yesterday evening as chief executive Alan Burrows and the rest of the Motherwell board held talks to establish their preferred candidate, but Herald Sport understands that the club are optimistic they will be able to unveil their new manager today. 

Hammell has already taken charge of the win over St Mirren on the Premiership's opening weekend and the last-gasp defeat to St Johnstone on Saturday following Alexander's departure. Whoever is named as the new permanent manager though is expected to take his place in the dugout for Saturday's trip to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie. 

Hammell, the former Motherwell left-back who amassed 583 appearances as a player at Fir Park, has spoken previously of how much it would mean to him to manage the club where he spent the vast majority of his career. 

“I’m in a senior football position at the club and I’m grateful and privileged to be in the position I am just now," Hammell said. 

“If that’s to then progress to the first-team manager, then fantastic. If that’s what the club want and they feel it’s the best thing for the club, it’s something I am prepared to do.”