ESPNsoccernet: Europe

Motherwell will announce Jim Gannon as their new manager at a media conference on Tuesday.

The former Stockport boss, 40, was offered the job and verbally accepted the position at the weekend.

He took his first training session this morning and one or two loose ends will now be tied up before his unveiling at lunchtime tomorrow.

Gannon now faces a baptism of fire with his first match in charge of the Steelmen in just a few days time.

Motherwell play host to Welsh outfit Llanelli in a Europa League first-round qualifier on Thursday, leaving little time to prepare his players for their first game of the new campaign.

The London-born Irishman also faces the task of rebuilding a squad which has already witnessed the departure of several players since the end of last season.

Motherwell confirmed at the weekend that an offer from Bristol City has been accepted for David Clarkson, while Paul Quinn could also be heading for the exit door after reports suggested Cardiff were close to agreeing a fee for the defender.

However, like his predecessor Mark McGhee, Gannon brings with him experience of managing in the English lower leagues where he enjoyed a degree of success at Stockport.

He guided County to promotion to League One through the play-offs in 2008 before turning down the opportunity to join Brighton earlier this year.

He was then made redundant last month after the Edgeley Park side went into administration.

He will be joined at Fir Park by his assistant Peter Ward.