Ron Manager Previews… Sunderland In The Premier League.
I interviewed one of the icons of British managers before the play-off games, so I was thrilled to have another opportunity to speak with the great Ron Manager.
Ron graduated through the pyramid system, despite the fact that he has never visited Egypt. He honed his craft at Scunthorpe and Hartlepool before becoming England manager. He famously learnt all of his football knowledge from a book his father had written.
I asked Ron about his early career. “Well, my father was a miner who worked down a mine; I am his son. But the first job I had after leaving school at the age of 12 was working in a helium factory, which I quickly left because I didn’t like how they treated me.
I realised then that I needed to be my own boss, with my own ideas.” And what were some of the innovations he created to help him devise tactics or motivate players?
“Well, my early ideas, of course, all came from my father’s book, ‘A Coaching Guide for the Idle,’ but I began to expand on those formative coaching sessions. I still enjoy reminiscing; I do a lot of it in my car.
I just put it in reverse and thought, ‘This takes me back’. I frequently sit with the curtains drawn, but the rest of the furniture is real. I asked Ron if he would share some of his motivational techniques. He explained that music played an important role.
“Yes, I have always included music in some of the sessions. It gives the players a beat to work with, giving them motivation and energy.” Ron’s musical tastes and preferences surprised me.
“I’m a big fan of Will.i.am – but even more so of his Yorkshire cousin, called Will I Eckers Like.” Moving the conversation to Sunderland and the challenge they face in the Premier League, I enquired about his concerns or key areas that we should be aware of.
“Well, for me, it’s all about unity – fostering a sense of community within the camp – one for all, all for whoever changes the fastest.
I used to make the lads wear these small jumpers, and we became a very close-knit group. Of course, they could be used later as goalposts.
Unity creates a sense of belonging and camaraderie; we are all in this together. I got your back; just don’t bend over too quickly. They must fight their way up from the bottom and remain there if possible. Try to be in a position where they can be on the cusp of a slump.
Even if you’re dead, don’t lie down and let yourself be buried. My teams all had the same goal: to win matches, and we were so close that any player requesting a transfer would raise everyone’s eyebrows.
All of the players fully supported me as a manager, but I couldn’t speak for the rest of the team. After a goalless first half, the score was 0 – 0, but I refused to let the boys believe that was the end of the game. I used to try to get to know each player as an individual, whether a man or a boy.
I wouldn’t say I had a nickname for each of them; I just called them a variety of names, mostly abusive.” Finally, what advice would Ron give the Sunderland team on Saturday? “Football is about 90 minutes per day; it’s all about tomorrow, really.
It’s all about enjoyment and motivation. Getting the crowd on your side, obviously not all at once, as that would be very painful.
I would advise anyone attending the match to arrive early and not leave until the end; otherwise, they may miss something. Ron’s words are indeed wise.
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