STUART CAMPBELL
The Scot with an American dream
STUART CAMPBELL currently has the biggest rebuilding job of any Scottish manager.
But the 39-year-old has the advantage of being able to tempt new recruits with the chance to perform in the sunshine of Florida.
The 14-times-capped Scotland Under-21 internationalist is moving into his second year as head coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
It’s a time of massive change at the club. Not only does Stuart need a completely new squad, there’s a change of league to deal with as well.
The Rowdies are currently hosting the Florida Cup, where teams such as Germany’s Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen come to tune up during their winter break.
It’s not easy for Campbell to field a side that will be competitive, but he takes a longer-term view, one that includes a former England star.
He said: “Our season doesn’t start until March 25, so we’ve got plenty of time on our side.
“This is my second full year and, with almost everyone out of contract, I can really put my stamp on it.
“The only player who wasn’t out of contract, thank goodness, was Joe Cole.
“He still has an incredible desire. I get the impression he will try to play for as long as he can.
“He has such a love of the game and it’s infectious.
“It’s a time of big change at the club. We just moved from the NASL to the USL and we’re bidding to join the MLS.
“You have to launch a bid for a franchise. That’s underway and there are plans for a new stadium.”
Born in Corby to a Scottish family, Campbell began his playing career under Martin O’Neill at Leicester City before serving Grimsby Town and Bristol Rovers.
His first boss remains an influence on his career.
Campbell said: “I could see, even back then, why Martin O’Neill would do so well. When he walked into the room, he had a presence.
“He has something you can’t teach, something you can’t buy. He was so articulate and clever. “Martin doesn’t beat about the bush. “You either like it or you lump it, but as long as you tell people the truth, I think they will live with that.
“They don’t have to like what they hear, but they should respect it.”
Mention the Tampa Bay Rowdies and many people still think of the ’70s-style razzmatazz of the NASL, when stars like Rodney Marsh headed Stateside to extend their careers. More recently, a move to America was a short-term pension boost for players, but Campbell believes that is changing.
He went on: “In the five years that I’ve been here, the growth of football has been phenomenal. “Its popularity is going through the roof. “I think the USA will be a force to be reckoned with in the next 10 to 15 years.
“They’ve just overhauled their whole coach education programme and that’s very important.
“For a long time they looked to other countries, but now they have their own identity.”
The former midfielder looks back with fondness at his time with the Scotland Under-21s.
He said: “I played with Barry Ferguson, Alan Archibald, Gary Naysmith, Gary Teale and Jim Lauchlan.
“For whatever reason, we didn’t have the success we should have.
“It seems like yesterday that I was playing. Managers used to tell us to enjoy our careers because, before you know it, it’s over.
“At the time, you realise you’re lucky. But you don’t realise how lucky until you’ve stopped playing.”
Campbell’s love of the USA grew during holidays in Florida with his wife and three daughters.
He said: “We always planned to come out here when my career was over.
“Then I got the chance to come out and play. That led to a job as assistantcoach and now I’m the head coach.
“Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good!”
That’s a modest appraisal of his ability. There’s no way club owner Bill Edwards would retain a coach who relies on good fortune.
The businessman has pledged to spend up to $80 million revamping the club’s facilities.
Stuart is grateful for his support and shares his ambition for the Rowdies.
He said: “I might not have won a lot as a player, so the aim is to be as successful as possible in management.
“The owner of the club is the right person to help with that.
“With him in charge, the sky’s the limit.”