Sometimes, the crescendo of opinion becomes one and we all agree that the manager is wrong. Everyone has the answer except the manager and it's blindingly obvious where they are going wrong. We're chasing the game, why aren't we throwing another striker on? Scott Parker has been the best English midfielder for a few years but has only recently come to prominence at international level, why? Emile Heskey was consistently picked despite the only person knowing why seemingly being the managers that picked him. But what is it the manager has seen that we haven't? Something from the training ground, a tactical reason our untrained eye won't have picked up on or something else?
The main reason I think we are supposed to bow down to the superior knowledge of the managers in our game is that they are 'football people'. They've played the game, they've been in the pressure situations as a player, they've been a part of a tactical discussion and they will have seen first hand what works and what doesn't. We mere outsiders to this world couldn't possibly comment or pass judgement on something we've never been involved with first hand. But the trend is bucked to a certain extent, while a majority (I'd love a statto to get me some percentages) of our managers have been involved in the game at some level before making the step up, we do have a minority who have a less conventional route into management. I'll put to you the following names:
- Jose Mourinho
- Andre Villas-Boas
- Carlos Alberto Parreira
- Nigel Adkins
- Les Parry
Jose Mourinho
The most famous of our "non-footballer" managers. Jose played a handful of games at a professional level in Portugal, but his route to becoming the Special One was without doubt through the back door. After becoming a youth coach and assistant manager, the opportunity to work with Sir Bobby Robson as a translator arose. Sir Bobby required some assistance after becoming the Head Coach at Sporting Lisbon, Jose saw this as a chance to make it at the top level of the game. Jose followed Sir Bobby to his next 2 clubs, ending up at Barcelona and with the role of assistant manager. The rest of the Jose story doesn't need telling, but culminates with him as Head Coach at Real Madrid via Benfica, Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan - as good a CV as you'll see anywhere in management! Not bad for a young man who dropped out of business school on the first day.
Andre Villas-Boas
Another former Chelsea man also with a link to Sir Bobby Robson, this time more through convenience than anything. At the age of 16 AVB lived in the same apartment block as Sir Bobby. Following a debate between them both, Sir Bobby appointed a young AVB to the observation department at his then club, Porto. He was then put through his coaching qualifications and ended up as number 2 to Jose Mourinho, following him from Porto to Chelsea and Inter Milan. The chance to manage in Portugal's Primeira Liga with then then bottom club Academica. He led them clear of relegation, moved on to Porto as their number 1 and was most recently with Chelsea. Where I'd say he was harshly treated by a certain Russian oil magnate.
Carlos Alberto Parreira
Not a name I can say I was overly familiar with and the only one that I didn't bring up from memory, you'll remember him mostly for his World Cup exploits with the following sides:
- Kuwait (1982)
- United Arab Emirates (1990)
- Brazil (1994 and 2006)
- Saudi Arabia (1998)
- South Africa (2010)
Nigel Adkins
While being a professional footballer at the start of his career, Nigel took a convoluted route into management via being a physio. A playing career that spanned across Tranmere, Wigan and Bangor in Wales saw Nigel take over the latter club at the end of his playing career. Then followed 10 years exiled from the world of management and by this time nobody would have predicted the events that follows. 10 years out of a top spot would usually confine him to the Rothman's, but Scunthorpe called on Nigel in 2006 who at the time was their physio to be their caretaker manager after sacking Brian Laws. After successfully taking them into the Championship when winning the League 1 title, he kept them there by securing an unlikely 20th spot for the unfancied side. This brought about the attention of Southampton, off Adkins marched and he now looks like being on the brink of a second promotion with them to the Premiership. Who needs Mourinho, we've got our physio the Scunthorpe fans used to sing!
Les Parry
The last in our series and our second physio. Unlike Nigel Adkins, Les did not have any previous experience either as a player or a manager. Les was the loyal physio at Tranmere from 1991, and in October 2009 he became the successor to John Barnes. After nearly 20 years as the club physio, when Barnes was sacked he was instilled as caretaker manager, his successful caretaker spell led to him being offered the job on a full time basis. After over two years at the helm, Parry was dismissed of his duties earlier this month with Tranmere languishing in 19th.
So it goes to show, while the man in the street may never secure the dream job on the back of virtual success in a Football Manager career, it isn't a closed shop. Should you happen to live next door to an all time great such as Sir Bobby Robson, have a loosely related career such as a physio or fitness coach, it's not beyond the realms of possibility.
I'll be blogging again very soon about why certain managers are suited to certain clubs. Until then... TTFN.
