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.
Perhaps his biggest success in his first two games is
dragging Adebayor back from the wilderness to great effect. Three goals in
three games from the Togo international suggests that the answer to Tottenham’s
goalscoring problems this season was hidden in plain sight. Adebayor looked a
menace against Southampton, working hard for the team and sounding professional
and prepared in his post-match interview. With Defoe’s departure to the MLS
looking more and more likely, Sherwood will be relying on him to work alongside
Soldado in creating one of these infamous strike partnerships that seem to be
so popular this season.
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.”
Rose went on to say “Tim’s backed me for a good three or four
years now and I know if I’m fully fit that I’ll play. And I know if I do things
wrong, he’ll pull me to the side and tell me it’s unacceptable.” Rose’s
statement exemplifies the support he has from inside the club, especially from
the younger players who have known him for a number of year. With four of the clubs
seven summer signings aged 24 or younger, they will be impressed with the praise
he has received from their peers and will be looking to make their mark in the
team in the recent weeks.
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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