Motherwell have turned down Hearts' request to hold discussions with Mark McGhee.
Hearts forced to look elsewhere
Motherwell have turned down Hearts' request to hold discussions with Mark McGhee.
The Jambos had hoped to lure the former Leicester and Reading boss into the hot-seat at Tynecastle, but have been knocked back in their attempts.
McGhee has enjoyed considerable success since taking charge at Fir Park in the summer of 2007, leading the club to a third-place finish in his first season in charge.
With a place in next season's Uefa Cup secured as a result, Well are understandably keen to retain the services of their sought-after coach.
"Motherwell Football Club can today confirm that it has received an official approach from Heart of Midlothian Football Club, seeking permission to speak with current manager Mark McGhee about the vacant managerial role at Tynecastle," read a statement on the club's
official website.
"After consideration, the Motherwell FC board of directors have decided to refuse this request."
Influence
McGhee is a popular figure at Fir Park both on and off the field, and midfielder Steven McGarry has urged his boss to stay put.
"We want him to stay, we've had a tremendous season. He has had a real influence on a lot of us," he said.
"He has instilled a confidence in me and given me the licence to go and enjoy myself and go and play but also make sure I am working hard at the same point. He has definitely taken me to a new level.
"It just shows you, in the two performances since getting into Europe we have given everything for him, and ourselves as well.
Nucleus
"We want him to stay, we want 'Leitchy' (assistant manager Scott Leitch) to stay, and we want to keep the nucleus of the squad together.
"The next season is going to be bigger than this one because the expectation levels are higher and we are going into the Uefa Cup, so we are going to step
up.
"It would be a bit of a blow to lose our manager before such a vital season but if he does go, life goes on, someone else will come in and we will just need to get on with it.
"He will bring new players in and we will just need to keep those levels we have maintained through the season."
