Our bosses can cut the mustard, too

THERE was an interesting interview with Oxford United manager Michael Appleton on the BBC website in the lead up to their FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough yesterday.

In a nutshell, Appleton was suggesting that it is more difficult for British managers to work in the Premier League nowadays due to the ‘myth’ that foreign coaches are superior.

It’s a topic that has been talked about more and more in recent times, and is worrying for our national game. How are we going to produce top-class managers if they aren’t given the chance to test themselves at the highest level?

Have we got the talent in the first place? Is the raw material there? We believe it is. Just take yesterday’s FA Cup ties as an example.

Millwall manager Neil Harris led his side to a superb victory against Premier League champions Leicester City and has shown over the last couple of years that he has a bright future.

Appleton, meanwhile, took his League One side to Middlesbrough and gave the Premier League outfit a real test.

Go even further down the ladder and Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley, whose side stunned Burnley yesterday, has impressed everyone with what he has achieved at the National League outfit this term.

Will these guys get chances higher up in future? They may have to work their way up, like an Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) or Sean Dyche (Burnley).

Are they likely to be handed a club already in the Premier League club in the future? Probably not, because our top flight has become an international one, with a host of foreign owners bringing in experienced managers from around the world.

Let’s just hope club owners open their minds and realise there are good bosses here who could do a top job if they were given the chance. They might just be pleasantly surprised…