What an insult to suggest I’m a racist
MCGOVERN JUST DOESN’T LIKE ME
IWAS furious to read that John McGovern had accused me of racism – although I wasn’t entirely surprised. It’s no secret that John and I don’t see eye-toeye. It goes back to the time I took over at Plymouth Argyle in 1995, just after John had been sacked as assistant manager.
We also had our run-ins when he was at in charge at Rotherham, so it’s true to say I’ve never been on his Christmas card list since.
Anyway, back to his accusations of racism. It all stems from last Monday, when I rejected the Nottingham Forest job due to concerns about the ownership structure.
I was trying to sign Lee Peltier and it was coming up to lunchtime. Somebody said to me,‘He’s got to be signed by 12 o’clock’. I said ‘No, I don’t think so’ and I asked who had provided that information.
I just got a vague answer and when I asked around, it turned out there was nobody at the club who actually knew the rules and regulations.
In the end, I actually had to ring Terry Robinson at Leicester and then Chris Dowdeswell, the secretary at Palace.
They both came back to me and said ‘No, the deadline is three hours before kick-off’.
Because of that, I said there was nobody around the club to speak to with any experience of the English Football League. According to McGovern – now an ambassador at Forest – that was racist.
It is an awful thing to say. As well as insulting me, it also belittles victims of genuine racism, which is still far too prevalent in football.
I can only assume John wanted to curry favour with his chairman by stirring things up.
And knowing John McGovern as I do, I’m sure he’ll be hoping his ambassadorial role will soon lead to bigger things.
Legend
Staying with Forest, I was pleased to see Stuart Pearce get the job. He’s a former Forest player, a hero, a legend. Call it what you may but he’s Forest through and through.
I’ve seen Stuart a lot lately, coming in and out of talkSPORT. We’ve had a few quick chats and I know he was keen to take the right job. Personally, I don’t think there’s a better one for him than this.
He was a bit unlucky to lose his job with the England Under-21s. He’s done well with the kids, but it’s always a thankless task that post.
The focus is always on the first team, and you don’t get a chance to work with the best players because they’re whisked straight into the senior set-up. I know that was a source of frustration.
I also don’t think the Man City job helped Stuart if I’m honest. It was too big a club at that stage of his career. But this is ideal because he hasn’t got to worry himself with learning about the club.Whatever there is to know, he knows it.
He’s a terrace hero, so he’ll get a bit of time if things aren’t going well. That always helps a manager. And after the way Billy Davies treated the Press, he can’t help but be really popular with the media. It’s a great recipe.
I just find it a bit strange that he isn’t starting until July.You’d think he’d want to see the last seven games out and get a feel for the place. That would be my approach anyway.
But once his personal situation is sorted out, I think he’ll get stuck right into and it’s just the kind of appointment the fans have been looking for.