The current Canaries boss has won over most of his initial doubters with a table-topping mix of attacking play and tsunami of goals. It’s not been perfect (recent first half torpor and a limp early Cup exit) but perched on top, life’s good. It’s Neil’s first management role so he has no skeleton-riddled former club record to compare with.
Though not a son of this county like luminaries such as Martin Brundle (petrol head), Sir John Mills (‘Ice Cold in Alex’), Sir James Dyson (vacuum wizard) or Horatio Nelson (no job description necessary), through playing, radio and coaching periods, Neil has spent considerably more time here than those four added together and is an honorary Norfolk man by any definition.
Felix Magath on the other hand is a different kettle of worms. Now back in the land of lederhosen, I suspect he won’t be heading back this way anytime soon. I for one would like to congratulate ‘The Cat’: firstly as a Norwich fan for helping take our nemesis team down to the Championship and secondly for introducing me to the healing powers of dairy products. How is it possible for such a revered and successful football manager back in his homeland to be reduced to general cheese-related derision while clearly failing to inspire his ‘boys’ to perform on the pitch? What makes a manager great at one club and terrible at another?
In Felix’s case, it may well have been the dreaded language barrier getting in the way. Listening to his after match chats with MOTD inquisitors, his English was ‘passable’ but it seemed clear that there was likely to be plenty of scope for misinterpretation in the changing room or training ground. Felix himself seems to have explained the mismatch as a failure on the players’ part to adapt to his ideas and philosophy whilst taking a sideswipe at former owner and bizarre statue erector Mohammed Al Fayed. To borrow from classic 60s sci-fi, Felix seemed a stranger in a strange land. Other recent alumni of that society include Pepe Mel and Dave Hockaday (although he can’t use the language excuse).
Of course, there are plenty of examples of highly successful foreign managers in England and I give them full respect – but let’s be honest, if your own club isn’t involved, it’s much more fun to see someone fail spectacularly. Just to reiterate that I’m making no xenophobic point, the same could be said of many a British manager, although none praised the power of cheese. Our own Mike Walker performed near miracles with the Canaries but never got close to being handed the keys of the blue half of Liverpool after winning just 6 out of 35 games.
Steve (‘is this a brolley I see before me’) McLaren was successful in Holland despite a lame attempt at the Dutch accent when interviewed. Clearly, actually learning their language was not an option for Steve – a failing amongst most British people when moving abroad. He then failed spectacularly in Germany (Magath levelling the score maybe) but is now doing a fine job at Derby.
Brian Clough is probably the most famous case of a highly successful English manager (at Derby), biting off more than he could chew at a particular club (Leeds) at a particular moment (30/7 – 12/9, 1974) in history. Brian bounced back with knobs on at Forest . It will be interesting to see if Felix pops up somewhere new and regains his credibility.
The now Italian run Leeds Utd have appointed one Darko Milaniĉ (no, me neither) to the top job – the first non UK/Irish man to take the helm at Elland Road. With his impressive record at Sturm Graz, Austria, it must have seemed the obvious choice!
Darko does speak English but I’m willing to lay down a fiver that if he manages to pass Cloughie’s 44 day record, he will be gone by Christmas – but he does have a marine engineering background to fall back on. From Cellino’s press quote on the appointment: “I don’t know (why I’ve chosen him). Coaches are like watermelons. You find out about them when you open them”, I’m pretty confident that my money is safe.
To book end things, Norwich could have taken a look abroad (and apparently did) when the clappers began to rain down in Chris Hughton’s direction. The fan pressure was for a Pochettino-type, who maybe didn’t speak English but might reinvent our style of play and give value for money on a Saturday afternoon.
Instead we went for one of our own and he’s doing a fine job so far with the entertainment factor ramped right up. Language barrier clearly won’t wash if it all goes pear shaped over the coming months. Unfamiliarity with English customs and traditions likewise is no excuse for Neil. While his honeymoon period is long gone, there’s no doubt that Neil will be afforded some slack that others may not have been.
I’m confident that with luck, minimal injuries and the roar of 26,500 faithful, the boys will stay firmly in contention, Delia and David won’t be considering a tour of Europe’s coaching scene anytime soon and like all good Canaries, Neil will suck seed. Meanwhile, Chris Hughton walks that rocky road to footballing redemption – Craven Cottage could even be his next stop.
I’ve got a touch of tendonitis after writing this – I’m off to the shops to buy some cheese.
Well done, Russell. What What a great read!
Okay, let’s not get carried away here. I’m a fan of Neil’s attacking approach, but it’s not all been plain sailing this year. Recent results at home in particular have been disappointing. And we continue to be slow-starters in games, regardless of the result being a win, lose or draw.
I’m not for a minute saying I am unhappy with Adams but I want those who are resorting to hyperbole to remember that he is working with a stacked deck – he has arguably the best squad in the division, with an entire second eleven who would make the first eleven for many other sides in this league. There was no place here for the likes of Becchio, Surman and Bassong, and that says it all about the strength in depth at NCFC.
Consequently, it would be pretty hard for any manager to fail completely, with the resources that are at Adams’ disposal. I’d much prefer it if people took a balanced view to his abilities.
As for the headline? A comparison to Magath is far too easy and carries no substance. It’s easy with hindsight to write Magath off; it’s also pointless to bring him into the debate because at the time of Adams’ appointment, Magath was already employed, and already failing with Fulham.
Bottom line: there are both good and bad managers in the UK; there are both good and bad abroad. Adams has had a good start but we should be wary of raising him to kingship until this season (and perhaps the next) plays out any further.
Paul (2) Thanks for the comment. With regard to the headline, that was mine and nowt to do with Russell. Probably a tad lazy on my part and simply plucked from the comparison at the beginning of the piece. Point taken.
Acutely and well observed.
Continental Managers seem to fall into two classes-sexy and exciting or unknown and dour. I remember a groundless rumour starting once when we were in the throes of looking for a new Manager and someone said he had seen Ruud Gullit at Carrow Road-the excitement levels went into overdrive-but was that because of who he was or what he had achieved as a coach?
The famous Major Frank Buckley cut his managerial teeth with Norwich in 1919-ah, what might have been? He was the Clough of his era-he used psycologists, made the most of the media and encouraged a thriving youth set up at all his clubs.
Adams looks to have been a long term appointment regardless of what happens this season-and promotion is not that given some seem to believe it is, neither would his removal be if we didn’t succeed. The purchase of players like McGrandles and Thompson point to a more long term policy of “young and hungry” replacing the “promotion or bust” policy this season with much of our retained squad plus some big money (Vadis) signings.
Neil’s real test will come if we don’t go up this season-but then he might thrive on that more.
I agree with Paul. I think there is to much emphasis on where a manager is from. After all, the same could be said about forgien players.
I think Neil is doing a good job. I wouldn’t say he’s doing a great one and right now he’s facing (and not rising to) his biggest challenge.
He had a fantastic start (ignoring the first game) and while we were on an unbeaten run things were fine. It’s easy to win when you’re winning. But turning around a poor run of form and grinding out results from difficult games, that’s the mark of a good manager and we haven’t seen that yet.
Yes, we’re top. We’re also two points from 8th. We shouldn’t be. We should be far out in front.
One win from four games won’t keep us in a promotion spot, neither will draws and losses at home. Or getting outsmarted by teams setting up camp in their own half.
These are all new challenges for Neil and he needs to overcome them quickly.
I believe he has it in him to do so. Now he has to prove it.
*BucksCanary – Appreciated.
*Paul – A month ago, Forest and Wolves (under very experienced managers) looked like they were going to be well clear at the top but they have hit dodgy home form patches just like us. It can happen to anyone anytime. The Adams comparison with Magath was purely because; (1) we play Fulham next, (2) both clubs went down with those two guys in charge and (3) I was desperate to get a cheese reference in there. In terms of their management careers, they represent chalk and (ahem) cheese.
*Ed – I wrote this before events at Watford unfolded. Praise the Lord we don’t have an Italian owner! Bertie Vogts has ended up in Azerbaijan – I expect Felix to follow. The galloping Major Buckley (who fought in the Somme) also ‘pioneered’ the use of monkey gland injections (allegedly) to improve performance. That knocks Felix’s cheese-therapy into a cocked hat.
*Canariefarcie -…And owners! It wasn’t meant to be a Farage-like ‘us and them’ piece. My theme was that it’s more interesting to see a manager (English or otherwise) fail at one club and redeem their reputation at another club (sometimes). Neil hasn’t had that chance yet thankfully.
*Dave B – Agreed. I’d give Neil 8/10 to date but clearly he has tactical issues and obstacles to face and get the better of. The dark, cold winter months ahead will be the big test of his and the players’ mettle.
Good inaugural piece Russ.
Was it ever disclosed what cheese was recommended by Magath ? My money is on ….Cottage (boom-boom)
*John C – Cheers. Funny you should say that. The variety was quark cheese which is (apparently – I’m no expert) very similar to cottage!