In the wake of Paul Ince’s dismissal from Blackburn, Andrew Walker examines the shrewdness of appointing a big name player as a manager…
When Paul Ince was appointed as Blackburn manager in June, he was heralded as the first black Englishman to manage a Premiership club. Just six months and three league wins later, he has been sacked. Perhaps the question marks around his tenure at Rovers should centre on his exceptional playing career rather than the colour of his skin.
There can be no doubt that a sparkling playing CV gives a fledgling manager a massive head start. They have seen it all; their past glories can inspire the troops; they are ‘winners’.
It is also clear though that great players do not necessarily make great managers. In many cases, famous players are given top flight jobs with little to no managerial experience.
Paul Ince served an apprenticeship in the lower leagues, performing a rescue act at Macclesfield before guiding the MK Dons to League Two promotion and a Johnstone’s Paint trophy success. Does this experience equip him for top flight management?
Consider the following: in this same period, Paul Trollope took Bristol Rovers to a JPT Final, the quarter finals of the FA Cup and promotion to League One. Would he have been considered a candidate of worthy experience for a big job like Blackburn? Maybe if he had 50 international caps hanging up in his study at home, he would.
There may be an argument for balance. Many successful Premiership managers of recent times, such as Moyes, Curbishley and Bruce, enjoyed very good playing careers without being exceptional. They will have had the opportunity to learn from some excellent managers (think Bruce with Sir Alex), and most likely had cause to seriously consider and plan their future careers whilst still playing.
Premiership chairman will always be drawn by the ‘big name’ manager – this is perfectly understandable and should not be condemned. But big names beware: if you do not deliver, this is a ruthless business, whoever you are.
Tony Adams and Gianfranco Zola, you have been warned.
fitting location! fine done!
[...] December, we wrote about the danger of the big-name appointment following Paul Ince’s sacking at Blackburn R…, and we told Tony Adams and Gianfranco Zola to be [...]