How Johansson is rising to daunting Motherwell challenge

What the report says

Alfred Johansson has made a strong start as Motherwell manager, despite taking over a club that had significant changes over the summer. BBC Sport Football reports that the Swedish coach arrived after Jens Berthel Askou left for Toulouse and after key players Elijah Just, Elliot Watt and Calum Ward departed for clubs including Swansea City, Samsunspor and QPR.

Motherwell have nevertheless begun the season with three straight wins. Their latest result was a 2-1 Scottish Premiership victory at Hibernian on Sunday, following a 5-0 aggregate win over Faroese side HB Torshavn in Conference League qualifying. The Hibs match showed both sides of Johansson’s team: they were under heavy pressure for long periods, but defended well and struck decisively on the counter-attack through Ibrahim Said.

Johansson has kept much of the possession-based approach associated with his predecessor, while making smaller tactical adjustments rather than a full overhaul. BBC Sport said the club’s new signings, including centre-backs Martin Moormann and Jake Girdwood-Reich, have helped fill gaps left by departures, while younger players have also been used.

The early form has lifted confidence around Fir Park, though sterner tests remain ahead, including a Conference League qualifier away to HJK Helsinki. For now, the fast start suggests Johansson is handling a difficult rebuild better than many expected.