YOU MUST BE KIDDING
Jackson admits moving from managing the kids to masterminding Burnley’s battling Prem survival bid is a bit ‘BIZARRE’
MIKE JACKSON admits going from managing Burnley’s Under-23s to masterminding their survival bid has been “bizarre”.
Jackson was coaching in Premier League 2 when he got the shock call from Clarets chairman Alan Pace a month ago to replace Sean Dyche.
He lasted just 13 games in his last managerial role at Tranmere in 2020, winning just three, when he succeeded his mentor Micky Mellon, but has transformed Burnley’s survival prospects.
Jackson only arrived at Turf Moor in July to succeed Steve Stone as Under-23s boss and admits the last few weeks have been mad. “Yeah, it’s been bizarre when you look back to a month ago to where you are now,” he said. “No one would have ever seen that coming and what’s been happening.
“It’s one of those things in your life where you go ‘great!’. People speak about the pressure but I’m fine with that.
“Sometimes I’ll think about it all but then you are quickly back down to earth in what you need to do. There hasn’t been a lot of time to reflect, you’re reflecting on how you’re working, but not the whole situation.
ASTON VILLA
People keep asking me am I sleeping OK. Yeah, I’m fine with that. A couple of whiskies, a couple of gins! No, I’m fine.”
Jackson, 48, is the success story no one saw coming and he has won three of his six games ahead of tonight’s crunch clash at Aston Villa.
Burnley had only won four of their previous 30 league matches and the Liverpudlian will put himself in contention to land the job permanently if he can keep Burnley up. Their survival is in their own hands. If they
BURNLEY win these last two games, they will be safe.
He insists he is not looking any further into the future than Sunday’s final game against Newcastle.
“I haven’t thought past that,” said Jackson, who won just three of his 19 games in charge of Shrewsbury in 2014. “I’m just thinking about what’s happening now, what do we need to do?”
Burnley have endured several successful relegation fights and Jackson says that experience will be crucial against Villa and Newcastle.
He said: “The biggest thing about this group is their experience. That’s a good thing because these guys have been through a lot, not just here, but in their careers. They know what’s needed.”