Andy Watson



Andy Watson joined the club in July 1994 as Alex McLeish’s assistant. After ‘Big Eck’ decided to move to Hibernian in February 1998, Andy was actually offered the job as Motherwell Football Club manager on a permanent basis but he declined the role as he wanted to reunite with Alex at Easter Road.

As the board searched for a new boss, Andy was given the role of caretaker manager and he would take charge of a handful of games which would end in disappointment. It was no easy task to be fair as he was to motivate a struggling side to play Rangers in a Scottish Cup tie at Fir Park, the side actually put in a great effort but a massive error by keeper Stevie Woods gifted Rangers a late equaliser which took the game to a replay after the 2-2 draw. As often happens against the Old Firm in cup ties, they’re no second chances and the Steelmen were soundly beaten 3-0 at Ibrox a matter of days later, Watson of course wouldn’t wait around any longer and he was on his way to Leith. Another caretaker manager was put in place upon his departure and it was 1991 cup winner Jim Griffin who would fulfil those duties.

Andy would go onto forge a good career as McLeish’s assistant manager, after serving Hibernian for a few years the duo joined Rangers after the departure of Dick Advocatt and they won every domestic honour in Scotland. From Ibrox it was onto Hampden to try lead Scotland to EURO 2008 in Austria – Switzerland (which was narrowly missed) then onto English Premiership side Birmingham City in early 2008, sadly they were struggling at the foot of the table and despite having former Motherwell favourite James McFadden leading there attack, they were relegated on the last day of the season. They did however upset all the odds by winning the 2011 League Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley.

Name: Andrew Watson
Date of Birth: 3rd September 1959
Place of Birth: Aberdeen
Playing Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Scottish

Management Career:

Scotland Flag Motherwell (Caretaker Manager) 1998
England Flag Ilkeston 2015 2016

Playing Career:

Scotland Flag Aberdeen 1978 1983
England Flag Leeds United 1983 1984
Scotland Flag Heart of Midlothian 1984 1987
Scotland Flag Hibernian 1987 1989