John Philliben and Miodrag Krivokapic were made joint caretaker managers after the dismissal of Billy Davies in October 2001. Mio of course was Billy’s assistant manager and John had been a coach with the club, he did also have a brief but unsuccessful role as manager of his hometown club Stirling Albion. The club’s chief executive Pat Nevin said they wouldn’t be rushed into making a swift appointment until the right man was found.

The duo did rejuvenate the side as their debut in charge saw them easily brush aside Hearts 2-0 at Fir Park, the club hadn’t won a game in the previous seven fixtures. The Steelmen did however come crashing down to earth in typical style as this result was followed by a league cup exit at the hands of Airdrieonians, Keith Lasley scored an unbelievable late O.G. scoring a finish any striker would be proud of. John and Miodrag made it clear they wanted to be considered for the job in a permanent capacity and they did their chances no harm at all when the side beat fellow relegation candidates St Johnstone 3-2 at McDiarmid Park.

Sadly for the former ‘Well favourites the board opted to appoint former Aberdeen and Metz star Eric Black as manager. The duo’s final game in charge was against Celtic at Fir Park the game seemed to be heading for a 1-1 draw but Celtic’s young striker Shaun Maloney would win the side a late penalty and of course the resulted spot kick which was swiftly dispatched in the back of the net, TV replays would prove that the Tic youngster took a dive in the box but the result was in the bag for the bhoy’s and a matter of days later a new management team was in place. Eric Black brought in a new assistant in the shape of England and Rangers legend Terry Butcher, soon thereafter former favourites Philliben and Krivokapic would find themselves out of a job.

Name:	John Philliben
Date of Birth:	14th March 1964
Place of Birth:	Stirling
Playing Position:	Defender
Nationality:	Scottish

Management Career:

	Stirling Albion	1998	2000
	Motherwell (Joint Caretaker)	2001

Playing Career:

	Stirling Albion	1980	1984
	Doncaster Rovers	1984	1987
	Cambridge United (Loan)	1986
	Motherwell	1986	1998
	Stirling Albion	1998	2000

 

Name:	Miodrag Krivokapić
Date of Birth:	6th September 1959
Place of Birth:	Nikšić, Montenegro, SFR Yugoslavia
Playing Position:	Defender
Nationality:	Yugoslavian

Management Career:

Motherwell (Joint Caretaker)

2001

Playing Career:

	Red Star Belgrade	1987	1989
	Dundee United	1989	1993
	Motherwell	1993	1996
	Raith Rovers	1996	1997
	Hamilton Academical	1997	1999