WALTER RALLY
Micky: Smith my managerial mentor and I pray he’s on road to recovery
DUNDEE UNITED boss Micky Mellon has revealed Walter Smith has been a huge influence on his career as his long-term mentor.
Mellon admitted the legendary former Rangers gaffer is his go-to-man when it comes to managerial and football advice.
Smith is currently recovering from a major health issue but the United manager is in no doubt he will fight back.
He hopes the Ibrox icon will soon return to health and be in a position to give Mellon and other managers the advice they crave.
An emotional Mellon said: “When you become a manager, you have a mentor and Walter Smith is mine. He is the person I would speak to about anything.
“I knew Walter before I came to Scotland and from the day I came here, he was the man I was able to phone any time of the week.
“He will listen to me and then tell me about situations he had been in, more so at Everton, where he revealed he learned the most.
“When he came back to Rangers, he said he returned as a much better manager. I speak to him all the time and I have never said it to anybody but Walter has been a fantastic mentor for me and still will be.
“I am sure he will get better very soon and we hope and pray it is as quickly as possible and that he keeps recovering.”
Smith was one of the many top managers Mellon was able to turn to for his brand new book.
Mellon has just written ‘The First 100 Days: Lessons In Leadership From The Football Bosses’ which was published by Reach Sport and is out on Thursday, with all profits going to Motor Neurone charities.
The United manager enjoyed speaking to fellow bosses but had special praise for Smith.
Mellon, who has steered United to safety in their first season back in the top flight, said: “He has been a massive help to me since I came back to Scotland. He would never directly give you advice because he is such a gentleman.
“If you ask him anything, he always replies, ‘Michael, I am not you and you must remember that. You must be yourself. Ask people who have done and dealt with things and then you do your own version of that. And go for it.’
“It was one of the most invaluable bits of advice I have had in my career from such an unbelievable manager.
“As it says in the book, you must surround yourself with as many people who tell you the truth, good or bad, and also to bounce ideas around.
“I have a good selection of those people around and Walter is one of them.
“I am very grateful for the relationship we have built.”
● The First 100 Days: Lessons In Leadership From The Football Bosses by Micky Mellon and Phil Denton, by Reach Sport, is on sale on Thursday. Save 25 percent by ordering your copy from reachsportshop.com/book/thefirst-100-days-lessons-in-leadership-from-the-footballbosses.
When you become a manager, you have a mentor and Walter’s mine MICKY MELLON HAILS FORMER GERS GAFFER