FORMER Everton players Stuart McCall and David Unsworth were yesterday put in charge of Motherwell and Preston respectively.

McCall has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to replace Craig Brown as manager of Motherwell while Unsworth was placed in caretaker charge of Preston following the sacking of boss Darren Ferguson on Wednesday.

McCall has been out of football management since parting company with Bradford in February and takes over from Brown after the veteran boss quit for Clydesdale Bank Premier League rivals Aberdeen.

He took charge of the team yesterday ahead of his first game against Hamilton at the weekend.

He said: “I am excited by the job and will give it my all.

“I know Motherwell very well as a club and have long respected what they are all about.

“They have produced some special talent over the years and done so in an entertaining way.

“I have inherited a good squad with a proven system for identifying new and young talent.

“I want to build on that starting today to ensure we compete for success in the league, cup and Europe. ”

Preston first-team coach Unsworth, 37, has been handed the reins as the club search for Ferguson’s successor, with former Wigan boss Paul Jewell thought to be among the leading candidates.

Preston are bottom of the npower Championship after a disastrous first half of the season and former Everton defender Unsworth is seen as the man to steady the ship.

Chairman Maurice Lindsay said: “We are delighted David has agreed to take care of the club at a difficult time; it couldn’t be in better hands. David is a Preston man. He loves the club and is one of most enthusiastic people in the game of football.”

Micky Adams has been appointed manager of Sheffield United.