LEAGUE TWO SURVIVOR

‘Invincible’ world-class Campbell graced the world’s biggest stages... now he’s multi-tasking at struggling Silkmen and ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT

SOL CAMPBELL always had a big presence and now it fills the room.

That room, however, is very different to what he was used to during the glory years with England and with Arsenal when he was winning trophies as one of the best defenders in the world.

Campbell is back to basics at Macclesfield, sitting in a small, dimly-lit room which doubles as a bar and boardroom at the back of a run-down stand.

Macclesfield had to switch training to their 6,000-capacity stadium because the training ground was waterlogged – a reminder to Campbell that he has started his managerial career at the bottom.

But his positivity and determination has given Macclesfield some hope of survival after they were seven points from safety when he took over in November.

Campbell said: “Coming in at this level is hard. You have to do everything. There’s no falling back on other people and saying, ‘I’ve got five or six people working with me.’

“Macclesfield can’t afford six people. You have to do so much by yourself.

“You have to roll your sleeves up and do more. That’s what the coaching badges teach you, to help you. If there is some money then maybe you can get some help. But it’s largely down to you. It’s not a baptism of fire, but you get tested at all levels. If you don’t muck in, you won’t be found out but you can miss things. You can drop the ball because there’s no one else to pick it up. You don’t have enough eyes, you have to prioritise because if you don’t do it, no one else will.

“The higher you go up, the more people there are to help you. But here you really have to concentrate on everything. Not just on the field but off it with players’ attitudes, coach journeys, food and diet.

“Knowledge-wise this has improved me as a manager. When you know you’re in the right job, you have to multi-task. You have to handle feelings, attitudes, players, how they carry on.”

Campbell has always been a bit misunderstood. Maybe that is why it took him so long to get a first foot on the managerial ladder. Yet he was one of the biggest characters in the Arsenal dressing room, a man born to lead.

“When I played, I was like this. Team-mates saw it. But if you’re a journalist or even an opponent, you don’t see it. You see me growling or tackling. But behind the scenes I work out very quickly who needs what on the pitch.

“Some need an arm round the shoulder, some need a kick up the backside. It’s my job to work out who needs what. I’ve always been like that. But people outside just see me scoring goals, stopping goals, putting my head there, and that’s so superficial.

“I’m honest with myself. I have never been afraid to dig myself out and that allows you to dig others out, but in a positive way.” Macclesfield, who had a huge win at Yeovil last week, today entertain Stevenage but Campbell (with Mirror writer John Cross, left) believes the fight against relegation could go to the final game. He added: “I think it will go to the wire. At this stage it comes down to character. What do you want out of football? How can you apply yourself on and off the pitch?

“You have to make sure that you are focused, that you sleep, that you put everything into training to make sure you are ready for the games.

“Attitude, desire, spirit and soul. That’s how I was.

“We need to really step up as individuals. We need to get going, get motivated, make sure we are ready for every battle.

“These guys are working extremely hard. You’ve got to deal with expectation, to manage it.

“The players here are very good for their level. I’ve played at a different level but I understand, and I’m a realist.”