The hostility towards managers in Scotland who do not fit the tried-and-failed formula of ex-player is holding back the country’s development.
It has to be the only time that ex-Scotland striker Kris Boyd has caught the spirit of the moment. When the ultimate throwback centre-forward wrote in his Sun column last December that new Hearts coach Ian Cathro hadn’t “been this excited since FIFA 17 came out on PlayStation”, his musings chimed with the opinion of a large, conservative element within the Scottish football community.
Apart from Boyd (or his ghostwriter) coming up with something funny, the real surprise was that a footballer, still currently playing for Kilmarnock, would criticise a coach. Boyd wrote that a “lap-top” manager with no playing experience could never command the respect of the dressing room, conveniently ignoring the example of Brendan Rodgers, who had to retire at the age of 20 and has less senior experience than any of his colleagues in all four of Scotland’s divisions.
Boyd was joined by former Motherwell player and BT Sport analyst Stephen Craigan, who spluttered live on air: “A pioneer of football? He’s a football coach. He’s not Thomas Edison, he didn’t invent the lightbulb.” And Jamie Fullarton also joined in the heckling, unimpressed with Cathro after meeting him nine years previously.
This story is from the October 2017 edition of When Saturday Comes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2017 edition of When Saturday Comes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
