ANGUISH OF BOSS GARY IN FAR EAST
GARY WHITE has seen more than most during a globe-trotting career that has taken him from Guam to Chinese Taipei.
But the British coach admits he has never experienced anything like his two months in lockdown in China – and offered a chilling insight into the harsh realities managers here could yet face.
Southampton-born White, 45, was a month into pre-season with Chinese First Division club Nantong Zhiyun when the coronavirus struck.
Since then, he has been holed up in China’s biggest city, Shanghai, with his Chinese wife and son.
“This is a time I’ll never forget,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. I’ve lived in Asia for six or seven years and I’ve travelled since I left England at the age of 21.
“I’ve been overseas for 25 years, but never witnessed anything that has had this kind of impact.
“I’ve lived through hurricanes in the Bahamas, earthquakes in Japan – and this is on a completely different level.
“I don’t know what the end of this will look like or when it ends.
“But I know one thing, for sure – it will take football a long time to get back to normal after all this.
“Just getting close to players on the training ground, shaking hands again, whatever it is. That’s something that people are going to have to get used to again.
“I’ve been communicating regularly with my players, calling them up and making sure that they’re OK, talking to them about my plans for the season.”
White, who played for non-league Bognor Regis Town before signing for Australian side Fremantle City in the 1990s, added: “I guess the hard thing in England now is the fact that the season is nearly over. Will games be played again before the start of next season? I’m not sure anyone really knows the answer to that.
“I just want to get back out there on the grass with my players again. It’s where I’m happiest.”