Unai is my inspiration, says Monk
GARRY Monk has revealed how Arsenal’s Unai Emery once helped fuel his football obsession.
The Birmingham City boss went to visit the tactical mastermind at former club Sevilla and was amazed by his coaching style.
A lengthy discussion during a three-day visit early in 2016 helped lift Monk’s mood following his exit from Swansea – and also paved the way for future ideas of his own.
He said: “I love the tactical side of it and I’m constantly studying and challenging myself.
“I speak to other managers, too. You can never stop learning. When I left Swansea, I went to see Unai Emery and he was fantastic. He will be working differently to how I am working now.
“But to see how he set the team up after how he prepared the team for a week was interesting. I speak to these guys to improve myself. It’s not because you are going to be doing what they’re doing, it’s about that conversation of how a top manager works and how he looks at things.”
The visit to see Emery, a manager now flourishing at The Emirates, came after Monk’s first job in football. Since then he’s gained valuable experience at Leeds United, Middlesbrough and in his current role at St Andrew’s.
Monk has also worked some magic of his own this season, propelling his side up into a healthy position at the halfway stage of the Championship campaign.
Monk’s constant push to better himself is refreshing and forward-thinking – but there’s a downside to such a relentless focus.
“I can never enjoy the games any more!” the manager laughed.