An interesting interview here with Lee Clark, who is now managing Huddersfield Town.
Always an engaging character and a fine footballer, I felt that Clark was released too early by Chris Coleman – and that was proved by the fact that he made a contribution to Newcastle’s season shortly after returning to his hometown club as a coach. His managerial career has got off to a good start as well with Huddersfield sitting in fourth place, five points off the leaders in League One.
Clark, signed for Fulham by his former Sunderland team-mate Paul Bracewell, played a key part in the team that won promotion so elegantly under Jean Tigana and memorably scored Fulham’s first goal in their famous 3-1 win at Old Trafford in November 2003. He’s clearly taken on board Tigana’s footballing philosophy as he is committed to getting his team to play attractive football.
I like my team to play attractive football and to try and score goals, We made it the priority in the summer to bring in players who love scoring goals, whether it is in training or on a Saturday.
They had to have a smile on their faces whenever the ball hits the back of the net. I want defenders to defend, midfield to win the ball and create and forwards to score and make goals.
Dan, Clarkie would be a great shout to take over from Roy, or even be trained alongside him for a planned handover. So would John Collins who was the Sky pundit on Sunday.
Interesting thoughts Alan. I think Clarkie would need a few more years in management – and maybe at a higher level – before he’d be ready to take on a Premier League job.
I didn’t realise Collins did the Sky punditry on Sunday. I saw Trevor Francis and Martin Tyler on their way into the ground and just assumed Francis, who seldom has a good word to say about us, would be doing the studio comments. I like John Collins – he was an intelligent footballer and a lovely man – and I felt he was allowed to leave too easily after Tigana’s departure. I remember he was heavily tipped to take over from Sanchez and was last in charge of Charleroi in Belgium. Would love to see him back in the game certainly.