Something taught from an early age is to make the most of
your opportunities. Tim Sherwood certainly heeded this advice, his persistence
and passion earning him a contract lasting until the end of the 2014/2015
Premier League season as Head Coach. Sherwood, relatively unheard of two weeks ago, has burst
onto the managerial circuit. With his bold approach and never-say-never
attitude he has impressed a great deal of neutrals, as well as Spurs chairman
Daniel Levy.
His appointment comes as a breath of fresh air in a League
which has been plagued by clubs constantly searching for the highest profile
manager available. There have been few times in recent years where a Premier
League club has given a young English coach a shot at management, the last
example being the short-term reign of Alan Shearer at Newcastle, but even he
had not been a coach beforehand. The other example is the Scot, Steve Clarke,
recently sacked after less than a year at West Bromwich Albion.
And yet Sherwood seems to be a different kettle of fish to
Shearer and Clarke. Both Shearer and Clarke came into their clubs from outside
whilst Sherwood has been promoted from within. First signed as a coach in 2008
under Harry Redknapp, Sherwood has spent his years as a technical co-ordinator,
working especially closely with the younger players.
His knowledge of the players in the development squad was
emphasised by his decision to bring on the impressive 19-year-old Habil
Bentalib for his senior debut against Southampton. Sherwood said in his
post-match news conference that he had “no hesitation” in bringing on Bentalib.
A new manager would not have gambled on playing him, but Sherwood’s inside
knowledge meant he was able to make a decision which ultimately played in his
favour.

His early managerial successes do not end there, with Danny
Rose speaking of how Sherwood has established himself as a no-nonsense coach but
one with an already close relationship with many players. Rose was quoted as
saying “People
may think that Tim is not a big name or doesn’t have a big CV, but you know he
will take no nonsense from anybody, His first training session, a couple of
lads rolled out on to the training pitch late and he got us in a circle and
said it was unacceptable.”

More than anything Sherwood provides hope. His appointment as
a young coach with no managerial experience but the backing of a number of key
figures sends a message to others in similar positions. Hiring domestic coaches
as managers is nothing unheard of out on the continent, but an English
preference for coveted, successful managers means this is a rare opportunity,
one which Sherwood must grasp with both hands. And who knows? If this goes well
maybe the floodgates will be opened with increased opportunities for other young pretenders.
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