ARCA KNOWS THE ART OF HIS CRAFT

JULIO ARCA can take inspiration from several managers as he prepares to kick off his own career in the dugout with National League North newcomers South Shields.

- Mark Carruthers

During his time as a player, the former Argentina Under-20 international spent time working under the likes of Gareth Southgate, Tony Mowbray and Peter Reid after impressing with both Middlesbrough and Sunderland after moving to the north-east in 2000.

His playing career ended in the colours of South Shields after a trophy-laden spell with the Mariners came to a close in 2018 – so perhaps it is fitting Arca will begin life as a manager with the current Northern Premier League champions.

The 42-year-old was a surprise choice to replace former Sunderland team-mate Kevin Phillips, below, just two weeks after the South Tyne side club had secured a long-awaited promotion into Non-League’s second tier.

Expectations and excitement are at a high as a historic season lies in wait for both the club and their new manager – and Arca knows exactly where he will be looking for inspiration after witnessing first-hand what a novice boss can achieve on the grandest stage in football.

He told The NLP: “It’s a strange one because I know what the South Shields fans expect. They are used to getting promotion, promotion, promotion, and obviously the higher you go in the leagues, the harder it is to achieve things.

Challenge