So now we know, Tim Sherwood the new first team coach. Daniel Levy has pulled a few surprises on us as Chairman but I bet few of us saw this one coming. The length of contract also amazed me as I initially thought he would be given until the end of the season and then ‘see how it has gone’.
Two things excite me about this appointment. The size of the contract shows that Sherwood is extremely confident about his abilities to lead and that he wanted to have a solid span of time in which to prove himself. Levy will appreciate this assuredness and demand for a decent chance to take the first team back into Europe.
It’s obviously a huge gamble by Daniel Levy, to anyone looking in from the outside. TS has no previous managerial experience and to have an ambitious Premiership Side as your first appointment would be a daunting prospect for anyone. But look again, the guy has the club in his blood. Imagine his frustrations at watching this new talented squad suffocated by AVB’s flairless and unimaginative style of play. He knows the club and the players inside out ….the one problem when you promote from within is that the staff recognise and accept the appointment. I personally think that the respect everyone at the club has for TS as an ex Spurs player, staff member and now Head Coach will help to establish him in the role and bring back the style of football we all know and love.
The second major thing that pleased me was this announcement from Daniel Levy :
“We have a great squad and we owe them a Head Coach who will bring out the best in them and allow them to flourish and enjoy a strong, exciting finish to the season.”
I have highlighted the two main phrases. “We owe them” implies his appreciation of the frustration and demoralising effect AVB had on the squad with his tactics and leadership manner. “To flourish and enjoy” again points at his full realisation of the true talent and potential this set of players have. It implies a change of attitude and playing style that will allow their natural abilities to be fully exploited and allow them to become a football team that can challenge for top honours.
The immediate appointment has stopped all unwanted gossip at WHL about the successor to AVB and everyone can now move forward….a smart move. We sit in 7th spot a mere 6pts behind Liverpool. Whilst I appreciate that was achieved under the old manager (apart from 3 points), I also believe that 7th was about as good as it was going to get. Now I think we can ‘kick on’ from this position and break into the top four.
It’s certainly a brave move by Daniel Levy but a clever and calculated one. Let’s hope TS is the guy to harness all the budding talent at his disposal and bring back exciting times to The Lane on both a domestic and European level.
I think he is just that person……….COYS !!!!