Sometimes I look at the trajectory of Martin O’Neill’s career and wonder why he didn’t land another top job after leaving Celtic. He was the hottest property in football while he was in Glasgow, almost joined Leeds United (then a top side), while he was short odds for the Liverpool manager’s job at each annual crisis on Merseyside. At the time Ferguson at Manchester was talking about retiring, had he gone, Martin would have moved to Old Trafford.
In 2003 he met Mourinho in the Uefa Cup final. The Portuguese had some of the finest footballers of that generation at his disposal, unquestionably a better collection of players than Celtic, as their Champions League win 12 months later would prove, but Porto were pinned-in for long spells in the second half and required (literally) every trick in the book to prevail.
Despite losing, O’Neill did better with the resources available to him than Mourinho.
After a few meritocratic years at Aston Villa, where he spent more than the club could afford, but delivered a better team than they would otherwise expect, he left a day before the season kicked off, apparently unhappy Villa’s budget was being curtailed.
Without meaning offence to Sunderland, I was disappointed when he pitched up there. Martin O’Neill was surely a manager who should be competing for league titles and in the Champions League. His early form at Sunderland was transformational but it was a transformation built on fragile foundations.
Those founds’ have now disappeared, Sunderland sit two places above relegation. Their play is recognisable from how Celtic played a decade ago, and how Leicester played in the 90s. Opponents know what they get from Martin’s teams, so they know how to prepare for them.
Martin’s former players talk about his inspirational qualities not his tactical incision. It’s hard, if not impossible, for a manager of a major club to master all the attributes required in the job. The successful ones realise this and delegate.
One of the frustrations we had with Martin when he was at Celtic is his reluctance to indulge the scouts. We signed former Leicester players, players who featured on Match of the Day, or players from other SPL clubs. The Wanyama, Izaguirre, Kayal-recruitment model, players signed with greater trust in the scouts and limited supervision from the man at the top, would never have happened under O’Neill.
The technical side of the game is perhaps even more important than recruitment. Great football systems, clubs and countries develop from one coach doing something sensational. Successful tactical changes are then studied and copied, but how do you study and learn from a system that’s not utilised against you, or on TV, when you are manager of a large club? You can’t, on your own.
Instead you have to deploy the systems you already trust and used to get yourself the big job in the first place. Or you can tinker a little, or use what, for the want of a better term, we’ll call a technical research team. People who can say to the manager, “A club in Romania is doing something really clever, we should try it”, without being frog-marched off the premises.
The lesson of evolution is that it is not the biggest, strongest or healthiest who thrive, it’s those who can adapt to a changing environment. The list of great managers who end their career in humiliating relegation is longer than the list of greats who regularly discard their tried and tested formations and become early-adopters of successful new systems.
‘By any means necessary, Journey with Celtic Bampots’ by Paul Larkin, is now available at Lulu and other outlets. Paul charts the remarkable events the Internet Bampots became embroiled in since 2008.
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gorbalstam
Thanks for the info
Malorbhoy.
I’m coming into Glasgow around 2.30pm,I’ll be around the Merchant City at the same time you’ll be in the Brazen Head,Not sure where I’ll be drinking,but I will be drinking somewhere around that area.
Praecepta
Thank you, Sir.
SFFS
The one from headlines is Arkadiusz Milik from Gornik Zabrze. He is 18 years old, Robert Lewandowski from Borussia type of striker. Many, including top European clubs are interested in that player. Juventus, Milan, Borussia etc
Not sure if he is one you are talking about.
It’s my opinion, but I think that in the next two or three years we will have good lot of players sold to top clubs. My Legia has many young players who are on radar of big clubs. I must say, I remember couple of those tallented players from Legia, but can’t remember all who are good.
Oldtim
Why don,t you come over, will get you a lift to paradise on our bus
Re levein,
I have a vague memory of reading or hearing somewhere that he had a celtic top as a youngster and that his maw was of a celtic persuasion.
Or am I mixing Craig’s maw up with Owen Coyle’s granny?
Malorbhoy – Good Evening hope your well! (nice to see some don’t scroll past you :-))
Mr Z, that is the guy, I remember the name now. Sounds a good prospect but if those other clubs are linked I doubt we have much of a chance. I remember Robert Lewandowski linked loads with Celtic, we should have got him. He is a cracking player.
SffS
SFFS
Polish league is a combination of physical and technical football. Legia is more technical footbal with coaching stuff from Spain.
Out of topic.
I read that Spartak Moscow bought today a striker from Swedish club. Good scoring ratio. I watched compilation with his goals. Some nice touches but he will be fiasco at Spartak.
Malorbhoy.
I’m not into fighting my way to the bar,if gorbalstam is correct that is what I’ll have to do,quieter the pub the better for me
Oldtim67
Going to bring my bhoy, my pal from Belfast and his bhoy to merchant square to the fan zone, then head up to CP around 5ish.
Minx1888
your correct I told you that time we met at Ramie,s doo nobody answers me on CQN (HaHa) belated happy birthday to your good self
Brazen Head, them were the days. Few drinks in town after the game then stop off at the Brazen on the way home. Because it was kind of on the way home.
Oldtim
Ah suppose ah will get auld masel wan day (Ha Ha) hope to see you in the lounge
minx1888.
Malorbhoy and I were looking for you last Saturday,but you were not to be seen anywhere.
leftclicktic
20:39 on
5 November, 2012
Craig levein got find by SFA for this ,REFUSED to pay it,
SFA doubled fine, levein refused to pay it says see you and the corrupt rev McCurry in court.
WOULD YOU LIKE THE SCOTLAND JOB CRAIG, BROTHER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlFpHriMd8A&feature=related
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I had never seen that interview ….. Says it all,really …….. Thank goodness they’ve finally been rumbled and obliterated ….it really was all pathetic ……. They shafted every club in Scotland, and some overseas also…….I honestly believe BDO will go for the jugular ……. They won’t show an ounce of ‘favour’ towards greengo, or any of the rest of them….they will do the right thing, seize the assets and ensure this new ‘entity’ don’t steal any of the creditors money….etc
I think that they will give the job to Billy Stark – if he wants it.
Scotland lack anything remotely resembling the ‘spine’ of a team at senior level – if there is any hope for them at all then it must be 3 – 5 years down the line.
Surely even the SFA wouldn’t be brazen enough to bring back Walter Smith EBT ? – and he wouldn’t be stupid enough to stick his cardigan above the parapet?
Malorbhoy, Brazen will be jumping nearer to k/o, youll have a good day in there,plenty of old Hoops stuff on show and i think its still only 2 quid a pint
malorbhoy
22:10 on 5 November, 2012
See you Wednesday, but not if you see me first…………”an old trench coat”
.
G’Day Fae a Absolouter Dull Dreick ‘Sunny’ Melbourne..
Yet Another Year Aff the Punt on this Melbourne Cup day..for this CQNer..Pwoud Werry Pwoud..:O)
Howevvvvva..
A Hourse called Green Moon catches the Eye..but Maluckyday for me.. Especially if l don’t Punt..Ha
Summa of FirstTuesdayInNovemberCSC
67 Heaven
How did you manage to secure a two match package when the rest of us had to purchase the three match QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED
Malorbhoy.
The Square in the Merchants City is being made available to Barcelona Supporters,so that could be a good place for a drink,I may go there.
Malorbhoy -nice to see you have gained in popularity since that evening :-)
Sorry to have missed you Oldtim67 not been in the lounge for a while …been roughing it :-) How are you? Hopefully we can arrange a catch up sometime soon? I will be coming through from Edinburgh on Wednesday so no chance of pre match drinks for me!
Levein had changed his tune at the press conference blaming the Old Firm ..he is well schooled. Leicster should have let them know the job was too big for him.
HH
Not that I care, but wouldn’t surprise me to see the SFA approach Fergie, if/when he gets the bullet at the end of the season ?
Twenty
Cheers Mate will take a tenner to ensure I get five pints (Ha Ha)
dena29
21:35 on 5 November, 2012
MWD
sorry to hear about the auction,Was it not possible to contact underbidder and offer ticket to them
Just a thought
—————————–
Underbidder bought second ticket which was kindly donated
Underunderbidders not responding to emails
——————————————–
Bid now at £110 :-)
Thanxs
SFFS
Spartak Moscow bought this guy from Haken
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waris_Majeed
That Milik is good striker. Good technique, very well play back to the goal, tall and strong. He is mature striker. I think it’s too late to get him.
Wouldnt surprise me if it was the polis who told Levein to change it to old firm
kikinthenakas.
I may see you in the Merchant Square,I have to drop of my bag,then head for a bar.
crc
Thats a bummer hope it goes well, our wee mhan deserves better
Cmon wee Oscar
.
From the Mhan who Told you Bruce Roich would replace BTM..(I Just like to Say..G’Day Bruce)..:O)
Is Craig Leavin..G’Day Bruce..
Makes sense Tae me..
Summa of RiochRicochetCSC
Fergie wouldnae even take the hun job
HH
Mark Wotte (born 16 December 1960 in Enschede, Overijssel) is a football manager from the Netherlands, who has managed teams in the Netherlands, Egypt, Qatar, England and Romania. He is currently the performance director of the Scottish Football Association.
E tims tweeted that Barcelona have made initial contact with wanyamas agent
Levein – has done well. He’s secured his salary until mid 2014….
….without shame, totally without shame!
Old tim..was hoping to head for the fanzone area myself then head to cp …catch you there hh
Oldtim67
Okydoky, will look out for you, driving tho, so if you want a lift up to CP no problem. Well driving at the moment, Wednesday is a wee bit away yet! But will be in merchant square around 3 either way.
Kikinthenakas
Is that no the Largs Thistle ground that billionaire done up for them?