COME STRAIN OR SHINE I’M IN THIS
CALLUM DAVIDSON admits he’s still learning how to live with the stresses and strains of being St Johnstone boss.
Tomorrow’s rival Liam Fox quipped his wife had asked him why he’d put himself back on the frontline at Dundee United after working as a No.2.
A similar question was posed in the Davidson household last year as the Perth gaffer fought a scrap against relegation.
Davidson and Saints survived via the play-off and he hopes to thrive in his third year as manager.
But he knows handling constant pressure that follows him home will remain a challenge.
That’s one of the biggest differences Fox faces after assistant gigs at Hearts, Livingston and United.
Davidson said: “As an assistant manager you can be mates with the players, you can enjoy taking training, and you can go home and switch off a bit.
“For me, the biggest difference was, as manager, it becomes 24/7. It’s a cliche but true. Then it’s about learning how to deal with that. It’s probably something I’m still learning to deal with. But I’m getting better at it after last season. There’s pressure but that’s the nature of the job.
“Going from assistant to being the manager, there’s a different pressure. The biggest difference is the buck stops with you.”
Fox was Cowdenbeath boss for barely nine months at the age of 32.
Five-and-a-half years on, he’s landed a major Premiership post with bottom side United, who host Saints in his first game as permanent gaffer.
Davidson said: “Liam knows the club so that will give him a bit of a head start. I wish him all the best... after Saturday!”