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.
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I have a big list of Managers I hope DONT get Scotland job..My list of coaches I do want is very small…
Evening folks.
Fine article Paul. So much to digest in that article, and many fine points to debate.
I agree that a top class manager has to have many great attributes to succeed, and perhaps even more so in the modern game when they have to deal with outside parties influencing the players; agents, media etc. (In Neil’s case much, much more than that outside football at times).
And that’s before even thinking about tactics. We really only see what goes on during the game and make our judgement as fans mainly on what we see on match day. But of course so much happens off the park that influences a managers thinking in picking a team and perhaps on their tactical approach in some games.
You have players who are good trainers, but don’t quite replicate it on the park, and players who are terrible trainers (it’s rumoured that Agathe was one and that was why Strachan did not fancy him as a player) but are more than adequate on match day.
A manager might risk a player who is not 100% but thinks he can do a job, but not publicise it so as not to alert the opposition.
I’ve always favoured the managers who spot that for some reason the game plan is not going to plan and are not afraid to alter the system, or the players. I think with the great managers it’s instinctive, of course they will have learned with experience as well.
My take on our current manager. I was one of the guys who thought he should go after the Kilmarnock game. Glad I was wrong and Neil has proved me wrong, however he is still learning his trade and as is natural will continue to make mistakes as he learns.
I do not think he gets it right all the time, but then who does. I did not think we would qualify for the champions league. Not only have we achieved that but already (no matter how we finish in the group) the team have exceeded my expectations.
So well done our young manager, will he be a great, only time will tell. As I’ve said above, so many variables to deal with in the modern game, both on and off the pitch.
Looking forward to Wednesday’s game.
HH
Dan
johann murdoch.
Will see you there.
Traffic will be bad on Wednesday,my advice is leave the car a bit further away,maybe the car park in the High st,but that will be for you to say.we can get a taxi into Celtic Park & hopefully back to the car park in the high st.
What’s the arrangements for the fan zone on Wednesday night?
Old tim..kikinthenkas ..happy to drive you up to cp.i will definetly be driving …old tim good shout re high street but getting a taxi back after the game might be a problem
Malorbhoy, haha, dont play the locals at pool or youll need a lot more than a tenner, hope you have a great day mate and we all have a memorable night, HH
I hesitate to criticise our manager as I am an old-fashioned Celtic supporter who has supported Neil Lennon from the start and who, like most people here, has not earned a penny from football management BUT I must cast doubts on the wisdom of his final substitution at Dundee on Sunday. There we were ,two goals up with five minutes to go, with the game won and he brings on Paddy McCourt and leaves Kayal on the bench. Now it does not need the wisdom of hindsight to tell us that that was a mistake which cost us the game.
Hamiltontim.
I think it’s to try and keep the Barcelona Fans together,It’ll be good to give them a song or two before they head for Celtic Park.
.
OldTim..
How goes it Buddi..?
Oldtim67
Where exactly will it be situated?
.
OldTim..
Oops..Meant to Say..Are you having a Bet on The Melbourne Cup..
Only 5 hrs left till Under Orders..:O)
Summa
Watching bundesliga highlights, really enjoying it. Very impressed
with the quality of the football and the honesty in which they play
the game.
And most of the fans seem to wear green.
Summa of Sammi.
It’s not like me but I’m excited already.Can’t wait on the game.
hamiltontim.
I’m led to believe that it’s in the square where O’Neills and a few other pubs are situated,if you go out the side door of O’Neills your in the square.
Summa of Sammi.
I’ve given up gambling for a bit,had the winner of the cesarewith though @ 66/1
.
OldTim..
Re; Barca game same Here..6:45am Kick Off..Barca Breakfast..
I Knocked back a Free 4 days Sailing The Whitsundays trip to See it..
Hopefully we meet them again in the Semis..I Can come H
malorbhoy
22:13 on
5 November, 2012
I told DD I knew you…….
Oldtim67
Ahhh I’ve fallen through that very door on more than one occasion!!
Thanks for the info I may try and head down before heading to Parkhead.
.
OldTim..
Re; Barca game same Here..6:45am Kick Off..Barca Breakfast..
I Knocked back a Free 4 days Sailing The Whitsundays trip to See it..
Hopefully we meet them again in the Semis..I Can come Home for that..
Summa
A friend at work has told me that on the GB’s facebook page it says that they have donated money to the poppy appeal.
I don’t have access to fb at work, so, could someone who has have a quick look and see if it’s a genuine story.
SPF
hamiltontim.
You should try and make it,if it’s a flop,there’s plenty bars around for you to have a drink.
ScotPatsFan
23:15 on
5 November, 2012
The GB don’t have a Facebook page.
Although I was a huge MON fan. His style of team building meant that he could only ever build one team.
The costs involved were unsustainable. Multiple £6m players with no real prospect of resale.
His star shone brightly for 2/3 years, then the money ran out
I always thought he could’ve won the EPL with Liverpool, or even Newcastle. He still might.
Oldtim67
In all likelihood I’ll have the car sadly.
Vindication for the internet bampots. (Response to Stuart Cosgrove’s article)
http://harryhood67.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/vindication-for-the-bambots-stuart-cosgrove-article/
“hamiltontim
23:17on
5November,2012
The GB don’t have a Facebook page.”
So what are you saying? ;)
Summa of Sammi.
Could you not take a T/V on the boat,I’d be trying my best to have both the Game,and the fishing for more game.
shieldmuir celtic
22:55on5November,2012
->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It’s a mistake I doubt he’ll make again.
.
HT..
Think The GB..Have Pixellated Facebook page..:O)
Summa
HT
Thanks!
It sounded a bit strange when I was told about it.
SPF
Vandal and shieldmuir,
Its a mistake very few at the time mentioned but many have since pointed out.
vandalgrease
23:18 on 5 November, 2012
Vindication for the internet bampots. (Response to Stuart Cosgrove’s article)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
…and it all led to the ultimate vindication ……. They have been confined to the dustbin, finished, gone ………and we are all much better for it…….
.
oldtim67
23:31 on
5 November, 2012
Summa of Sammi.
Could you not take a T/V on the boat,I’d be trying my best to have both the Game,and the fishing for more game.
..
Ha Ha..Fishing..Last Year they wouldn’t even let Me Snorkel because l was Drinking Not Fishing..:O)
Being on a Yacht when The Melbourne Cup is on was the Idea..But when it clashed with Celtic Vs Barca..Land Ahoy was the Call..Cant see Hamilton Island having a CSC..Ha..
Summa
Good evening CHAMPIONS
Summa
Got ma ticket and travelling on the Peter Scarff bus from Linwood with relatives. COYBIG. HH
Weefra. HH
Gordie
I think it could well be a bit of Tomfoolery and mischief making ;-)
Night all and God bless.
Scarff (sp)
Weefra HH
Night Hamiltontom;)
Night night all.
Weefra HH