Super Kev: ‘I’m man for the job’
Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips believes he’s ready for the world of senior manager and says his side would play an ‘attacking’ and ‘positive’ brand of football.
The 46- year-old has already expressed an interest in the vacant role at the Stadium of Light following the departure of Jack Ross earlier this week. Sunderland fans may question if Phillips, who scored 130 goals for the Black Cats as a player, is the right fit due to his lack of managerial experience.
But, following recent coaching roles at Leicester, Derby and Stoke, Phillips is now looking to become the main man in the dugout.
“Of course, I am interested in the job,” said Phillips when asked about his interest. “When the job came up last time before Jack took it, was I ready? I probably would have said yeah, I’d love to have taken it. But now, 18 months down the line… I know I haven’ t worked since January atStoke,butIam46-years-old, I have a lot more experience on my side - not just in football, but in life, dealing with people.
“I’ve watched the club closely, I’ve followed them, I’ve spoken to a lot of people, friends who go to games home and away. There is not an awful lot wrong at the football club. Things just need tweaking a little bit, left and right.
“Maybe they just need someone in there, and I’m going to talk myself up now, someone that can relate to the players, that’s been there not that long ago and they haven’t had that. When you look at the managers since 2013, I think they’ ve had 11 managers, none of them have been able to get it going. Maybe they need to try a fresh approach. Of course, yes, I’d love to have the opportunity.”
Phillips was back in the NorthEast on Thursday eveningto pay tribute to his former manager Peter Reid at special dinner event hosted by the Football Writers’ Association. And the former marksman, who also admitted he’s enquired about other jobs since leaving Stoke, say she’ s been in touch with the Sunderland hierarchy.
“We have reached out,” said Phillips when asked if he’s contacted the Sunderland owners. “I’m not going to divulge whether they got back to me or not. But I certainly put my hat in the ring, let’s put it that way and we’ll just see what happens in the next 2448 hours.”
Phillips, who played for several clubs and also won eight caps for England as a player, says he’s learnt a great deal from all his managers who all implemented different tactics and styles of play.
The former frontman believes those experiences will stand him in good stead for the next stage of his career. “I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve worked with some great managers in my time as a coach,” added Phillips. “Steve McClaren, Paul Clement, Nigel Pearson. It’s been a great learning curve how to deal with players.
“Man management for me is key. I have learn tan awful lot in a short space of time. Coupled with my experience as a player and the way I can talk to players and relate to players, I’m not saying it’s going to be the perfect formula, but I think it’s a massive advantage.
So whether it’s at Sunderland or another club, what could fans expect from a Kevin Phillips side?
“Attacking, positive football,” he replied. “Why would you want togo into a game and want to draw it and not win it?
“I’d rather lose it having a go, than coming away from a game drawing and thinking we didn’t really have a go today. I think supporters relate to that. Without playing kamikaze football, have a go and try and win a football match. I think we’d all enjoy watching that.”
Phillips has also taken encouragement following the recent appointments of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard at Chelsea and Rangers respectively, and hopes that more young managers and former players will now receive opportunities.
“I think it’s great. These players have had so much experience, they’ve won everything, they’ve done everything,” added Phillips. “
“As a young player coming through in the squad, if you’ve got a gaffer in front of you that has been there, seen it and done it, and that’s no disrespect to anyone else, I would want to learn off that.
“I remember when I played at Sunderland under Peter Reid, I hung onto his every word because he has been there, seen it and done it. That’s not to say I wouldn’t hang on to a Jose M our in ho because he is a great coach, but it’ s something different when you know they have been there, because you can ask them different questions. What was it like when you were in that situation?”
Phillips will hope for a similar opportunity as his former Englandteam-mates,whether that chance comes at Sunderland or elsewhere.