For a while it was beautiful. But only for a short while.
Five months in fact.
The beauty was all too fleeting; ugliness prevailed. And it was accompanied by considerable pain.
When Alex Neil arrived – as a Scottish Red Adair with a brief to inject life (and promotion) into a talented but errant squad – he ticked every box: passionate, determined, focussed and singled minded.
From that first brush with the touchline at Dean Court, when Jonny Howson’s dismissal lured him to a technical area originally occupied by Mike Phelan, he bristled with authority and it was a demeanour that immediately found favour with a squad that was not without talent but was without direction.
It clicked.
Even his first Norwich City defeat – at home to an Alex Pritchard inspired Brentford – was, although littered with wrongs, used as a platform from which to propel a re-united squad to within a hair’s breadth of the automatic promotion spots.
The transformation was astounding – 15 wins, 5 draws and 2 defeats – and took us all on an adventure that culminated in one of the great Norwich City days.
Wembley was magnificent, Alex Neil at its very heart, and the thrill experienced by the Yellow Army that afternoon logically led us all to believe it was merely the start.
But it wasn’t. Wembley was its zenith. And Alex, the odd highlight apart, peaked on that sunny, joyful afternoon in north-west London; the sight of him being held aloft on the shoulders of (ironically) Bradley Johnson one of the abiding memories of an afternoon crammed full of them as the club celebrated its finest achievement of the 21st century.
Few of us will forget Alex hurriedly swapping sharp suit for scruffy tracksuit in the minutes between national anthem and kick-off; our very own Clark Kent swapping suit and glasses for superhero lycra and cape.
And at that precise moment he was our Superman – the footballing world appeared our oyster (well, at least a decent crack at a sustained spell in the Premier League).
Yet it was before the Wembley dust had even settled that the story started to unravel.
Despite the bullish, bravado-driven predictions of some (me) who proclaimed Alex’s Wembley heroes as good enough to go toe-to-toe with the Premier League’s also-rans, in reality it was a squad that desperately needed an upgrade – especially in terms of its defensive personnel.
But, for reasons that have been discussed to within an inch of their lives, the summer of 2015 transfer window did little to bolster the squad in general, even less to enhance a back-four that still bore the scars of top flight relegation in 2013/14.
Plans were reportedly made, lists drawn up, agents engaged, but one solitary defender made his way to Norwich in that summer. And no-one believes the name ‘Andre Wisdom’ appeared on the recruitment team’s original list of most wanted.
Yet there we were, about to embark upon one of football’s sternest, most unforgiving tests with a back five that, for the most part, had been the one that had taken us down in 2013/14. ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ never felt more apt.
David McNally took the flak, so too head scout extraordinaire Lee Darnbrough, while Alex, by and large, was just seen as the unfortunate recipient of a squad that was unfit for purpose. But given the miracle he had performed earlier in the year, we somehow trusted the manager to produce a silk purse from the sow’s ear he’d been handed.
That he was unable to do so was perceived by most as a fundamental shortcoming in the club’s ability to recruit rather than a failing on his part but, regardless of with whom the blame rested and despite some hefty sums being spent in January 2016, relegation was the bitter, costly yet inevitable upshot.
Alex’s credits in the bank extended to an ovation as he and the players sheepishly paraded around the pitch after the final home game against Watford. He expressed surprise – he expected at least a modicum of heat. Instead he showered with warmth. Hugs not brickbats.
But in truth the die was cast and the curve downward. The hammer blow of a 6-2 reversal on Tyneside early on in that season had taken its toll and sucked nerve, bravery and innovation from the Neil armoury. He was never the same again.
The words and soundbites never wavered but post-St James’ Park they masked uncertainty and doubt. His mojo when AWOL in Newcastle that day, only popping up briefly in Manchester just before Christmas 2015.
The recruitment of summer 2016 matched that of summer 2015 – not helped by the untimely and messy departure of Alex’s closest ally, David McNally – and the club again struggled to get deals to sign defensive quality over the line.
In fact only the signing of Timm Klose came anywhere close to ticking that box when he arrived in the January 2016 window; albeit that particular signing now looks better on paper than it does on Championship grass.
The exit of McNally rattled Alex. The then CEO had identified the unheralded and unknown Scot from a long and quite illustrious list and thanks to the honourable actions of Hamilton was able to get his man with the minimum of fuss.
(And from Alex’s wobble last summer, borne of McNally’s departure, came the much discussed and much derided new contract.)
But despite reassurances to the contrary is wasn’t business as usual without McNally, and the usual suspects (and some new ones) again failed to deliver where and when it mattered most.
The services of Alex Pritchard were acquired from under the noses of Brighton – arguably in a position in which the squad was already well stocked – but in reality Neil was again delivered a squad that was without balance and one that had not been strengthened at both extremities of the pitch.
It was also a squad that was saddled with an unworthy sense of self-importance; a facet unbecoming of one that actually needed grit and determination by the shed load. But still it contained sufficient levels of quality to see off low-level opposition and take the Canaries to the top of the Championship.
But it was thrill-free, seat of the pants type stuff and when the league’s top ten hoved into view the wheels gradually began to fall off. Bit by bit the ship that Alex built began to take on water and a toxic mix of demotivated players and a manager whose modus operandi had been rumbled sent the Canaries into a fatal downward spiral.
The message was always undoubtedly there but it was muddled, over-complicated and met with disdain by those who should have been taking it on board. The upshot was a barren run of soul destroying away-day defeats that effectively signaled the end.
While the home form stood the test reasonably well it was in truth only against bottom-half-of-the-table opposition that City prospered. It’s been an end game that’s been a while in the making.
Alex Neil has ultimately paid the price for failings of a structure that is unfit for purpose – and it’s impossible to not feel sympathy for one who appears a decent human being – but is also living proof that, for most, a fast-track to top level football management is a non-starter.
Such is the pressure, glare and intensity it’s no environment in which to learn and develop. Those stripes have to be earned the hard way. And it’s as part of that apprenticeship when you learn the tactical nuances of sticking or twisting, and how and when to make substitutions that will impact on a game. And how to keep on board those for whom the message goes in one ear and out the other.
A UEFA pro licence will arm you with the theory of all of the above but only in the field of battle can one learn the harsh, sometimes unpalatable realities of being on the receiving end of a Premier League pummeling or a Championship war of attrition.
And Alex, even by his own admission, was found wanting when tactical acumen needed to take over from momentum and new manager syndrome, and when his message to the dressing room started to fall on deaf, unwilling ears it was the beginning of the end.
The death knell was first sounded when, after the poor run of results and no discernible improvement in performance, he reacted waspishly to criticism in the local press. And when the Barclay asked Delia to “sort it out” during the Huddersfield defeat it was confirmation that the faithful had had enough.
Few come back from that, even though with the support of the board he clung on to his post far longer than the 5-0 defeat at Brighton deserved.
But Alex’s failure is not his alone. The Norwich City ‘system’ has failed him and the hand he was dealt to keep the club in the Premier League was woefully inadequate; so too the systematic failure from above to deliver him a balanced squad of grit and talent equipped for the Championship.
For too long we kidded ourselves with the ‘second best squad in the Championship’ nonsense, with the theory being belied by performances on the pitch. It was a catchy label but one for which there was zero evidence.
The players themselves have done little, very little, to dig their manager out of an ever-increasing hole – each non-deliverer playing his own not insignificant part in their manager’s downfall – and there’ll be an element of gall when or if the new manager starts to get a tune out of this squad.
Yet football’s circle of life continues and Alex’s misfortune is opportunity for another; the big question of course being do we trust those from above to get this one right? And even if they do, have they the nous, desire and cold hard cash to drive this club forward?
But that’s for tomorrow.
Today is about Alex Neil. And we’ll always have Wembley.
Step 1: Get a new CEO
Step 2: Get a new manager
Do those out of order and it could spell further disaster.
Thanks for Wembley Alex. Good luck Alan.
0
As usual a well thought out and reasoned response to the demise of Alex Neil. Yes we all remember Wembley but we also remember Brighton, Rotherham, Burton et al. In a results orientated business Alex had to pay the ultimate price of failure. A day is a long time in football management and today the fickle finger of fate gestured in Alex’s direction.
We await the re-structuring of the Club and hope and pray that the coming decisions will ultimately prove that there is light at the end of this particular tunnel starting with Blackburn.
OTBC.
0
Dave (1) I don’t think they’re will be a CEO. It will be split between Steve Stone being MD and Ricky Martin being involved in looking after the football side, possibly with somebody else.
I don’t believe their is any desire for the current board to get a CEO after the boards tempestuous relationship with McNally and Moxey.
The sacking of AN should of happened so long ago I’m kind of underwhelmed and the timing of it after the press conference earlier today confirms how amateur they really are.
While Neil’s sacking is a step forward, this should be in no way job done. The board are still here and the fundamental problem with Norwich City Football Club will always remain whilst the majority shareholders are pulling the strings.
It’s a shame that Neil was left so long in his post as he should of been put out of his misery long ago, but his dismissal should not shadow the much larger problem at Carrow Road and Colney – The board.
0
Quality read as ever Gary. Potentially an article you had prepared in readiness for today’s announcement. Pardon my suspicion . Suddenly the next few games will be more interesting for many, including I.
0
Jon B – How dare you? 🙂
0
An extremely talented manager has lost his job due a set of weak minded, overpaid and past it players, not replaced due to a ineffectual scouting system. Alex Neil will be back, a lot of our 1st team squad won’t be.
0
Stunned. The timing is bizarre. Why make the man go through a full pre match press conference where he sets out his plan for the future immediately before receiving him of his duties? Is there more to this than meets the eye?
0
Well that surprised me this evening. Good luck Alex Neil for the future, I don’t think you will be out of work long. However the love affair had ended long ago. So Delia the plan is starting to be revealed at last. It would be good to see Hodgson as Director of football with Gary Rowett or Gary Monk in the Hot seat. Get rid of the old guard and the toxic newcomers from the squad and let’s play the youngsters. Howson for captain, some proper men in midfield, you know the type who can win a tackle and then pass to one of our own. Let’s have a six foot four goalkeeper but make sure he can catch the ball and knock everyone out of the way whilst doing so. Let’s have a couple of the players who can be a bit nasty. Not much to ask for is it.
0
All sounds very sensible and logical Delfy (8). If you get your application in count me in as one of your referees.
0
Thanks Gary but it would interfere with the golf. Just watching Wales and Ireland rugby, it makes me wonder how one sport can be so organised and the players so committed and then you compare the modern day footballer and all the rubbish and hype in football. Sky has an awful lot to answer for.
0
Excellent work GG. I had a piece mentally prepared comparing the AN who took the reigns against Bournemouth roaring ten men forward vs the AN who added a fifth defender vs the 3rd bottom team in the Champs all ready. Thankfully I’ve been so busy I didn’t waste my time on it! Now we have hope to play with!
As long as the board don’t think if we win tomorrow Alan Irvine is the answer. That really would be peak Norwich!
0
Sorry (5) Kobe an extremely talented manager? I have to take issue with that. He had no idea how to man manage or motivate our players, look how the players confidence has evaporated over the past 18 months. Redmond was going no where here, he gets a move & suddenly he’s named England U21 player of the year. We’ve gone rapidly downhill. He was sacked far too late in reality but then we have our dynamic board to thank for that.
0
Excellent piece Gary.
So unsurprisingly, even they get it right, the board get it wrong. The timing of this decision is simply ridiculous & again points to their incompetence. While he wasn’t the solution, Alex Neil wasn’t the problem so I’m not that much more optimistic now than I was yesterday.
Phil (2) memories of those defeats will soon fade, Wembley never will.
0
Coach takes over, gets 2 or 3 wins due to new manager bounce and gets appointed manager. We finish bottom half of championship next year……you heard it here first!!
0
Well, Chris Hughton’s success at Brighton over the last 2 years is already coming back to haunt us.
I thought that our Board had learned from that but now it seems they’ve lost their nerve – although at least it’s better to do so now and give someone a pressure-free period to start building again rather than wait until the summer.
Alex Neil won’t disappear like Nigel Worthington. He’s 35 and unlike Worthy had already proved his ability elsewhere before we employed him. He’ll be back, and very likely with a vengeance.
Watch out for who employs him next and put some money on them.
0
Well!! I really thought we were staying with the Alex till the beginning of next season at least. It does look very shoddy to do this after a press conference held apparently on a good faith business as usual. I hope something major happened today to justify the Volte Face. Otherwise we look shabby and cruel.
Having said that, this is the right time. Promotion has gone so get new man in now to work with this squad , get an idea of what he wants for the summer window and prepare for the next season. Having decided not to remove him when there was a chance that new manager bounce would get us promoted, this is the obvious change point.
It’s sad that it has come to this. He gave us a great moment at Wembley but 2016 was a slow inexorable decline. The players have failed badly but it’s the manager’s job to spot that, understand it and put it right and Alex has manifestly failed to do that game after game. So here we are. A new dawn.
0
An excellent article and some very interesting comments.
For me, AN ‘lost the plot’ after our thrashing by Newcastle last year and I think what really finished it for me was his team selection for our home game against Liverpool last year – no end of fans queried his selection of Martin and so it proved to be instrumental in our downfall.
The again, we were winning 3-1 at SJP and his substitution proved pivotal in us ‘snatching defeat from the jaws of victory!!’
Don’t even ask me what he was thinking on Tuesday when he had the option to bring Godfrey on for a tiring Tettey and then he brings Bassong on for Murphy. Any last modicum of respect I may have had for AN vanished around 9.30pm that night.
Yes, we’ll always remember the euphoria of Wembley, but not addressing an ageing and creaking defence was instrumental in our ability to stay in the PL.
Finally, the board have made themselves look complete idiots in their timing of their decision to sack AN and the sooner there are significant changes on the board, only then can NCFC progress, as otherwise, I can see 1p5wich giving us a minute’s applause for several years to come at each ‘old farm derby!!’
0
Keep the revolving door going with Irvine, Ricky Martin and the scouting team. Get the new manager in soon and have a good clear out of staff and then players. I suspect they are going for DoF…Hodgson perhaps? If DoF is Ricky Martin I will cry!
0
One of the major points you missed was the appointment of Martin as Captian. An inept leader and at best a mediocre defender. Look back at all the replays and see how many times he is out of position for opponents goal, often loitering near the opposition penalty area despite being a centre back. Hell of a nice guy but that doesn’t excuse the woeful performances. We did better when he was injured.
0
What worries me is that Irvine is in temporary charge until the END of the season, so any new appointment other than him will NOT be able to assess the current squad before the next transfer window. More utter incompetance.
0
Quite an Excellent article, Gary. You hit the nail on the head. Yes, the Premier League is no place for a novice coach to cut your teeth. The necessary football acumen and battlescars need to be in place before getting there. After the great momentum of the 2015 promotion, The youthful inexperience of our manager showed, and without the proper organization support in place within the dysfunctional halls of NCFC, the nice man was doomed to fail. Looking back, expecting someone with such little experience to coach a team out of the PL relegation zone, make important player securement decisions, and effective oversee a youth academy at the same time is rather ridiculous, no ?
We can only hope that Ed Balls’ promise that a new structure will be put in place is a sign that NCFC at least has figured out what the real problem is …Whether they come up with the right solution this time is another story !
0