| Dream teams don’t always work
By Luke McLaughlin
 Managerial
partnerships can be a tricky business, and the balance of power bet-ween
Steve Staunton and his number two Sir Bobby Robson will be crucial to
the Irish success.
The appointment of Steve Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager has raised
eyebrows among fans and followers of the team; but with Sir Bobby Robson
joining Staunton in a consultative role, the move could be a masterstroke
rather than than the possible unsatisfactory compromise it appears.
It is hard to believe a man so lacking in managerial experience will take
charge of such an accomplished group of players. The 36-year-old Staunton
has been involved with coaching at Championship Division 1 club Walsall
since the start of the season, which hardly constitutes a credible CV
for a newly-appointed lower league manager, let alone an international
side that has only recently figured in the top 10 countries in the world.
But two particular things are in Staunton’s favour:
Firstly, he will command the total respect of the squad as the Republic’s
most-capped player, with memories of his dazzling high-tempo displays
from left-back, his unfussy defending and lethal left foot still fresh.
Secondly, Robson’s un-matched knowledge will go a long way to
compensating for Staunton’s unfamiliarity with the role. It is a
bold move by the FAI, but the highly-respected Robson is enthusiastic
for another football job, and his experience of international management
will be indis-pensable to Brian Kerr’s successor.
The balance of the relationship will be critical. The younger man will
defer to Robson in many areas, but Staunton will need to keep his ideas
to the fore, particularly on matters of team selection. Despite an indifferent
end to his stay at Newcastle, the 72-year-old Robson commands instant
respect and Staunton will no doubt value his insight.
But managerial partnerships can be notoriously difficult. The partnership
of John Barnes and Kenny Dalgleish at Celtic in 2000 turned into a nightmare
for the Bhoys as they were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Inverness
Caledonian Thistle before finishing more than 20 points behind arch-rivals
Rangers in the title race.
Barnes’ lack of experience was cruelly exposed at Celtic but Staunton’s
task will be a very different one, allowing him more time to get the blend
of the team right before each game. Equally, he will have a limited number
of chances to get things right, and will no doubt face a battle with clubs
to release players.
Similarly the double act of Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier at Liverpool
proved to be short-lived, with the undermined Evans departing Anfield
to leave Houllier in sole charge after just four months.
Perhaps the most fruitful managerial partnership ever was Brian Clough
and Peter Taylor at Nottingham Forest and Derby County. Although Taylor
was the No. 2, many believe he was just as important as the charismatic,
outspoken Clough. The pair gelled perfectly with Taylor’s eye for
talent and Clough’s man-management skills complimenting each other,
securing Forest two European Cups and numerous domestic honours.
Similarly, the partnership of Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan at Liverpool,
members of the legendary Anfield ‘Boot Room’, ushered in the
most successful period in the club’s history. Paisley was a reluctant
successor to Bill Shankly, but his partnership with Fagan boosted the
tactical knowledge at their disposal, and saw the Reds dominate at home
and in Europe.
International management requires different skills from the day-to-day
interaction of leading a club, and the beginning of Staunton’s examination
will begin as soon as March 1 against Sweden.
Ireland’s most-capped player will need to learn quickly if he is
to succeed, and Sir Bobby Robson has already proved with such successful
protege as Jose Mourinho that he could be the man to make that possible.
|
