CLEM MAY BE BETTER BEING THE GOOD COP
■SAM Ricketts has always had aspirations manager. of being a He’s positive, forward-thinking, has a great knowledge Wrexham of the game. took a chance in appointing this summer. It’s easy him Frank to pick a superstar like Lampard or Steven Gerrard, but Sam wasn’t a household name and he didn’t have much experience. But he’s done really well at the Racecourse. team is solid and well The organised and if they’d top-class striker I think had a they’d be genuine challengers for the National League. I can see why Shrewsbury wanted him and I think he’s lucky in inheriting a solid side who have reinvigorated by caretaker been Danny Coyne. I hope Sam is successful because it’s about time managers in Non-League got some recognition. AM I surprised that Paul Clement was sacked by Reading? No. Nothing against Paul, but I haven’t seen anything to suggest he’s a good manager. He’s had three stints now – Derby, Swansea and Reading – and he hasn’t come out of them with much credibility. Paul is clearly a brilliant assistant. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he worked with some of the greatest players in the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo. But the skill set required to be a world-class No.2 is very different to the qualities required to be a successful manager. An assistant is the good cop. He’s reliable, friendly. An all-round nice guy. A manager has to be more ruthless and detached. Not many people can do both. Looking back through my career, I can’t think of many who made the switch. Nathan Jones at Brighton was one, but you always knew his personality was more suited to being in charge. Being somebody’s assistant was just a necessary step – a stopgap.
Of course, poor recruitment hasn’t helped at Reading. The Royals certainly don’t have the best squad in the Championship. Equally, it’s better than a position just outside the relegation zone would suggest. Results simply haven’t been good enough.
I think the club have looked at the approaching window and gambled on a change whilst there’s still game time left.
On the one hand, it’s about staying up. On the other, they will know that funny things can happen in the Championship after Christmas. Just look at Reading themselves, who in 2011-12 won 17 of their final 23 games to win the title.
Clearly, that’s a long shot. But had Clement remained in charge, I think they’d have remained in trouble to the end. It’s a shame for him, and I do think he’ll get another job. But perhaps he should look abroad where the style of football – and management – will be a better fit.