JUGGLING ACT IS BIGNOT’S FORTE
WORKAHOLIC Marcus Bignot says he is no stranger to tackling three full-on roles after being appointed interim manager of Aston Villa Women.
The new post will be dovetailed with his commitments as joint-manager of National League North Guiseley and a coaching role with England’s under-19 men.
Few may have been surprised by his plan to maintain the other two jobs but the ex-Solihull Moors, Grimsby Town and Chester boss believes each of them will help him to flourish in the others.
“From the outside people will look in and ask how I do it but this is something I managed before,” he said.
“When I won promotion to the National League with Solihull Moors I was also at Birmingham City Ladies and had my own academy too so it is nothing new.
“I love working and being out on the grass, I love working with players and it is no different now to my playing days. I find nothing more satisfying than winning a game and I still have that adrenaline to develop players and make them better.
Transition
“Guiseley have been great with my England role and that can only benefit the club in the long run. It opens up working with that calibre of player and you become more knowledgeable from the experiences you take from that.
“You never know it all so to be able to tap into that level of football helps my personal development which then gets passed on to the players I am working with. Whether that is in elite men’s football, elite women’s football or on the international stage, it works. “I have lost my academy and the education programme that went with it due to Covid so in the day I am with Villa, Guiseley has always been part-time – although we are converting to the hybrid model – and then when the international calendar comes round I am away with England.
“It is normal for me and something I enjoy. I respect all three organisations for allowing me to do what I do, they are all for it and can see the benefits they get from my work with the three different sets of players.” The prospect of Bignot taking on three jobs was probably not the first thing to be questioned when Villa announced his appointment, though.
Predecessor Gemma Davies, who led the club to promotion to the Women’s Super League last season, and her staff have stayed on to work under the new boss.
“People from the outside are probably wondering how it works but I have to say, I have never been so comfortable with a transition as I have been with this one,” added Bignot, who confirmed the Villa job was “no more” than an interim post.
“I am not looking to take away, I am looking to add value but I know the buck stops with me and the results fall on my doorstep now.
“Part of the remit is to develop and support this staff, particularly Gemma, so she will be in a better place when the opportunity comes again than she was before.”