Jim Gannon is set to be unveiled as Motherwell's new manager this afternoon.

The former Stockport boss, 40, will face the media in a lunchtime press conference at Fir Park after being identified as the man to replace Mark McGhee.

Several other names - including Steve Staunton, Lawrie Sanchez and Adrian Boothroyd - were linked with the job after McGhee quit for Clydesdale Bank Premier League rivals Aberdeen. However, it was Gannon who emerged as the surprise choice when the club confirmed at the weekend that he had been offered, and had verbally accepted, the job.

The appointment may raise eyebrows but County midfielder Dom Blizzard is not surprised Motherwell chiefs opted for his former boss.

He told the Evening Times: "I can totally understand why Motherwell have gone for him ahead of a host of other well-known coaches who were in for the job. He has not had a huge budget to fork out on players during his time at Stockport, but he has done well with the money that he has had to spend."

Like his predecessor 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.

Blizzard added: "People up in Scotland might not have heard a great deal about Jim, but, believe me, they will before long. He is a top, top manager. He has been working under very difficult conditions with us at Stockport. The club went into administration last season and was docked 10 points.

"However, he has managed to keep everybody's spirits up and, what is more, has insisted on us playing football the way it was meant to be played - on the deck. He is popular with the players who work under him as well as the supporters because of the style of football that he likes his team to play. He is an advocate of the beautiful game."