STEVE’S GLOBAL SEARCH FOR NEW SKILLS
FEW professions can boast such a formidable record of job creation as football, particularly in the Championship, where 10 managers have departed this term.
Steve Round says such pitfalls go with the territory. When the proper opportunity arrives, he wants to be someone an ambitious club owner just cannot ignore.
That’s why, when he was ousted from Manchester United along with David Moyes, he began travelling the world in a self-funded attempt to learn all there is to know about the role.
Round believes the days are over when motivation and man-management, albeit still essential qualities for success, can stand alone as ingredients for success. The emphasis now is on innovation and creation.
“I had done 18 straight years working in the Premier League and the problem is you can get bogged down and transfixed with what you’re doing,” he said. “You don’t get up in your helicopter and see the bigger picture; what’s best practice, how things have changed and how things have moved on.
“I wanted to see what was new – and not just in football. I’ve been with top cricket teams, England rugby, American football teams, American varsity sports.
“I didn’t want to just sit by the phone waiting for it to ring. I have always been at the forefront of innovation and creation with everything I’ve tried to do.”
Round’s long-term thirst for knowledge came at the expense of a quick fix back into football. Turning down jobs with lucrative wages has been a gamble which he hopes will pay off.
“I did 18 straight years in the Premier League as assistant manager and assistant head coach, working at Derby, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Everton and Manchester United and with England,” said Round.
“Now I feel I’m ready and want to get back into football, preferably as a manager or head coach, but, if that’s not out there, a number two.”