Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
It’s time for another guest article now as Reading fan Oliver Walsh – who you can follow on Twitter here returns. This week Oliver gives us his view on three of the Championship’s most promising managers. As always Oliver it’s over to you
The Championship isn’t normally a league associated with managerial talent, however this season the English second division has enjoyed a wealth of world-class managers as well as promising future stars. Here are the three most promising young managers in the Championship:
Gary Monk
Club: Leeds
Age: 38
Gary Monk experienced an unconventional introduction to management when, in early February 2014, the Swansea captain was appointed interim player-manager following Michael Laudrup’s sacking. The Englishman flourished: winning 3-0 against bitter rivals Cardiff in his first game in charge and saving the Welsh side from relegation, leading to his appointment as permanent manager in May. Despite Monk’s second season being a triumph he was sacked in December 2015 after a poor run of form.
On the 2nd of June Gary Monk was appointed as Leeds manager, a position that is viewed as a poisoned chalice, with 3 managers being sacked by infamous chairman Massimo Cellino in the year before he was appointed. However Monk has managed to assert an air of stability at the club and has led Leeds into an impressive fourth place in the Championship. Chris Wood and Pablo Hernandez have flourished under Monk and the young manager looks to be leading the Peacocks back where they belong.
Jaap Stam
Club: Reading Fc
Age: 44
When Jaap Stam was appointed as Reading manager fans were hopeful, due to his undeniable playing pedigree and leadership qualities, yet wary as a result of his lack of managerial experience; only managing Ajax’s youth side Jong Ajax.
Since June 2016 the Dutchman has transformed Reading fc. Developing from a boring side who lacked charisma or a definitive playing style under Brian McDermott and Steve Clark to an effective unit who play an aesthetically pleasing possession based system. As well as developing players such as Danny Williams and Paul Mcshane to be able to play a traditionally Dutch style, his recruitment was exceptional bringing in mainstays such as Liam Moore and John Swift, who have excelled this season, for incredibly low price tags. This has led the Royals to 5th place having finished 17th and 19th in their previous two seasons. Overall the former Manchester United man has brought leadership, stability and results in an unstable time considering Reading’s ownership.
David Wagner
Club: Huddersfield
Age: 45
David Wagner was appointed as Huddersfield manager in November 2015, with many taking little notice of the German-American in his first season at the Terriers. However after acquiring fourteen players in the summer and shipping fifteen, the ex Borussia Dortmund assistant has shaped his side into a high pressing and possession orientated machine.
At the beginning of the season, Huddersfield had been tipped by many to be relegated, yet Wagner’s side have defied the odds as the Terriers currently sit in third in the Championship challenging for automatic promotion. The 45 year old has successfully implemented his pressing style similar to how Dortmund played under Jürgen Klopp with the Wagner speaking to the Guardian saying: “We now call it the Terriers’ identity, Exactly the style of football I love is like a terrier. We are not the biggest dog, we are small, but we are aggressive, we are not afraid, we like to compete with the big dogs and we are quick and mobile and we have endurance. We never give up. This small dog has fighting spirit for sure.” Which exemplifies their underdog spirit and industrious work rate. Overall Wagner has turned Huddersfield from an average mid-table side into a unit capable of playing in the Premier League, as a result the German-American will undoubtedly have a successful career in management.
Thanks Oliver and I look forward to your next installment
If you would like to give a view from your club on a weekly basis then please get in touch – you can email me at – realfootballmanwordpress@gmail.com
