On Becoming Great (A Great Manager)

James Lawton reflects on the coaching circus being conducted at Newcastle United by the whims of Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer and explains what it takes to become a great manager.

But his piece is also simply a treatise on how you need to operate if you are to be great at anything:

"You do not dip into football management whenever you choose. You learn it, you suffer it. You do as Brian Clough did in Hartlepool and Bill Shankly in places like Carlisle and Workington, Grimsby and Huddersfield. You want it so much the taste of it is always in your mouth. You cannot wait to get involved. Sir Alex Ferguson did it for East Stirlingshire and St Mirren before launching himself to Manchester United with a body of work at Aberdeen which would have stood comfortably and impressively on its own."

Lawton applauds Gary Lineker for knowing himself and knowing who he wasn't:

"Who could argue with the wisdom of a Lineker or a Hansen in eschewing the agonies of management? Lineker was candid about his lack of ambition in this area. He saw the likes of Ferguson railing against the heavens on some tumultuous touchline and decided it was not for him."

And Lawton questions how "heroes" should behave:

"Shearer can say that it is a free country which bestows the right to retain your options. But sometimes a situation can come along which requires you to make a stance and decide who and what you are. For some time Shearer has been the lion of Newcastle, the man who sooner or later would rally to the cause. Like so much of the aura of the club, it may be so much romantic claptrap, but this is perhaps the time for him to declare it as such and get on with his life precisely as he chooses...For the moment one thing is certain. Sitting on the fence may be good for career calculations, but it is no place for a hero."

And people question the usefulness of writers and writing.

Lawton here demonstrates what he really is: an eloquent and passionate advisor and consultant. And he is worth his weight in gold.

Source > 22.01.2008