FORMER Shelbourne and Dundalk centre-half Jim Gannon has been unveiled as the new boss of SPL outfit Motherwell.
Manager of Stockport County since 2005, Gannon left the cash-strapped Hatters at the end of last season.
He took over in December 2005 with the club five points adrift at the bottom of League Two and ensured survival on the last day of the season.
Two seasons later he won promotion to League One through the play-offs and last season helped the club consolidate their position in the division, despite being deducted 10 points for going in to administration.
Though born in Southwark, South London, Gannon moved to Ireland as a boy and cut his teeth in the game with Dundalk.
Snapped up by Sheffield United in 1989 he struggled to make an impact and moved to Stockport the following season, going on to make almost 400 appearances for the side.
Gannon finished his playing days with Shelbourne in 2004 before returning to where it all started — Dundalk — as manager the same year.
Controversy surrounded his one and only season in charge at Oriel Park and in 2005 he returned to Stockport.
Among those to lose out in their bid for the Motherwell post was former Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton and former Northern Ireland and Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez.
Gannon replaces Mark McGhee at Fir Park — McGhee having become manager of Aberdeen at the end of last season.
London Irishman Gannon’s first competitive match in charge of Motherwell will be in the first round of the Europa League against Llanelli this Thursday.