Sometimes the obvious choice for boss is not the right one
In the week in which Scottish football lost Walter Smith, the question of what makes a great manager was never far away.
As the collection of tributes to Smith the gaffer – and there was an equal amount on his qualities as a man – reminded us, answering the conundrum is easy enough after the event.
A pirate’s haul of silverware testify to the former Rangers boss’s skills as a football tactician, strategist and man-manager of the highest order.
When the Ibrox club took him back in January 2007, Smith was the dictionary definition of a sure thing, having delivered 13 trophies in seven seasons in the role in the 1990s.
The march to Manchester for the 2008 UEFA Cup Final, both domestic cups the same season, and the Premier League and Scottish Cup double the following year franked the wisdom of their choice.
In almost every other case, though, when it comes to making the most-important appointments of them all, clubs large and small find themselves having to take a punt.
Of course, some bets carry bigger risks than others.
Manchester United looked on relatively-safe ground when going with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the man who scored their famous last-gasp winner in the 1999 Champions League Final.
Not only were his credentials as a
United even had Ole on a 14-month ‘try-before-youbuy’ stint as caretaker boss
player immaculate, he had enjoyed conspicuous success managing Molde to successive titles in his native Norway, and had coached in England with Cardiff City, and at United’s Academy.
Moreover, they had even had Ole on a “try-before-you-buy” 14-month stint as caretaker boss.
But all that seemed a very long way away last Sunday as Solskjaer was forced to endure humiliation at the hands of Liverpool, who beat his side 5-0 at Old Trafford in what was United’s worst result against their bitterest rivals since 1925.
In the days that followed, the man who had been a fans’ hero has been branded as out of his depth by the court of public opinion.
The same man that the Red Devils handed a three-year contract extension in July to universal approval.
Their move was an attempt by the United board to consolidate the progress made from back-to-back top-four finishes.
Unfortunately, as Mike Tyson said, everybody has a plan – until they get punched on the nose.
Barcelona’s sacking of Ronald Koeman in midweek was just another example of the fact that moves that look perfect on paper, often turn out to be anything but in reality.
If there is a consolation for those who have to make the appointments, it is that sometimes things go gloriously right.
When Rangers first appointed Smith, a significant part of the appeal was the experience he had amassed working as assistant to Graeme Souness at Ibrox and, before that, as No. 2 to Jim Mclean at Dundee United.
When, three-and-a-half decades later, the Tannadice club found themselves looking for a new leader following the departure of Micky Mellon, they trusted in an apprenticeship served further down the chain.
Academy head of performance, Tam Courts, was given his chance, despite having not managed in Scotland’s senior leagues.
United believed the work he had done at Kelty Hearts, who he led to the East of Scotland title, and with their own younger players, justified his selection.
Their choice raised eyebrows throughout the game.
But, yesterday’s result aside, it has been shown to be inspired, with the Tangerines one of the success stories of the season.
They have played some sparkling football, and shown character in backing it up with positive results.
In the first third of the regulation season, they were the only team to beat Rangers, and impressed when drawing at Celtic Park.
And if common sense suggests there will be dips to come, Courts has generally left the impression that he is a manager fit for purpose.
A truer test will be how he handles his squad over the long haul, as all bosses – even Walter Smith – have wobbly moments.
Livingston manager, David Martindale, was bold when pledging earlier this month there was no way his side would be relegated, given they were in the middle of a losing run.
The confidence he showed in his players then, though, was appreciated by his side, who quickly rewarded him with back-to-back victories.
It was a timely reminder from a man – whose past includes a spell in prison – that how you handle the tough times is more important than what you do when things are going well.
There are plenty of management philosophies that fall flat on their face.
But that one would certainly have had the approval of a legend, who is sadly no longer with us.