Premier League Nonsense

As the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City look overseas for the manager that will turn their fortunes around just where has the local talent gone? A generation ago the British Isles had a surplus of top managers steeped in the traditions of our game but, as the foreigners have come in, they seem to have receded. A bit like on the pitch it seems we just can’t get the mix right off it. Perhaps a look at the past greats could help guide us to what to look for today.

We’ll start with Sir Matt Busby. Arguably the man who put the glamour into Old Trafford, he was born in a mining community in North Lanarkshire, near Glasgow. During his years with the Red Devils they became the first English team to win the European Cup as well as winning five First Division titles and two FA Cups. His impact was so great that United nearly imploded upon his departure with George Best playing the errant superstar and the club itself getting relegated. He reigned supreme at Old Trafford for an incredible 24 years which saw United become a world name long before TV spread the word.

The first man to bring the European Cup to the UK was Jock Stein a year before Sir Matt did in 1967. Stein was manager of Glasgow Celtic for 13 years winning the Scottish title 11 times, the Scottish Cup 11 times and the League Cup six times. Intriguingly he was also born near Glasgow, in Burnbank.

Bill Shankly ruled Anfield for 15 years and while his trophy return of just six in that time (three titles, two FA Cups and one Cup Winners’ Cup) was meagre it will be argued his legacy lies in the dynasty that he left behind him. He was undoubtedly the man who made Liverpool and the Kop famous around the world and without Shankly there would have been no Paisley and co. Oddly enough he too was born near Glasgow!

We’re beginning to see a trend here. Successful clubs are those that give managers time to manage. It also helps if the manager was born in and around Glasgow. Sir Alex Ferguson, George Graham and Kenny Dalglish come from the same mould. For Graham, 8 years as a player installed the traditions and values of the club that he was later to manager for 9 mostly successful years. Similarly Kenny Dalglish played for Liverpool for eight years before going on to manage them for a further 6. Sir Alex of course needs no introduction.

One other manager is worth a mention. Walter Smith took over at Glasgow Rangers in 1991 and in his eight seasons at the helm he won the Scottish Premier League seven times, the Scottish Cup three times and the League Cup four times. It goes without saying he was born in Glasgow.

It’s also worth pointing out that when Stein and Graham went to manage elsewhere they never achieved the success that Celtic and Arsenal enjoyed while it is fair to say Dalglish succeeded at Blackburn because of Jack Walker’s millions. His time at Newcastle and Celtic are best forgotten. And when Walter Smith headed to Everton he didn’t cover himself in too much glory either.

The only current manager who comes close to fitting the mould is Everton’s David Moyes. I say close because in his five years at Goodison Park the Glasgow born Moyes has yet to win any silverware. A couple of trophies and he will be the most sought after manager in the country.

(First appeared on www.espnstar.com)