Broch: boss: I’m like Pep, not Jose

WHEN he describes his managerial style as “more Pep Guardiola than Jose Mourinho”, Fraserburgh’s Mark Cowie hasn’t lost grip on his senses or let the occasion go to his head.

He is merely serving Rangers with a warning that the Highland League minnows are not about to sit back and take their punishment on Sunday.

The Broch may not be able to match the beautiful football favoured by Manchester City’s Spaniard, but they are not about to wantonly embrace the Mourinho negativity now infamous across the city.

Amid all the excitement and romance of the looming Scottish Cup giant-killing attempt, Cowie has taken stock tactically. His conclusion is that Fraserburgh must stick to the swashbuckling style they are renowned for in their own northerly league.

Cowie, at 32, almost three years into his managerial tenure, said: “How do you set-up against Rangers? That’s the million dollar question.

“We could put 10 men behind the ball or have a go. Both could work.

“Without giving too much away, looking at games like Liverpool against Manchester City and Bristol City against Manchester United, if you go after them you have more of a chance.

“We could sit-in and if lady luck is shining on us we could get something or lose 1-0, but they are quality players and they will get a chance or two if we sit-in.

“My thought is ‘let’s have a go’ and if we lose three or fournil that is what is expected if not more. That’s what everyone expects to happen.

“I’m more of a Guardiola in philosophy than a Mourinho, put it that way. Jose’s on my wall, but so is Pep in full view.”

Fraserburgh have earned plaudits for a part-time set-up that breeds it’s own talent on a steady local conveyor belt.

Cowie added: “Okay, Rangers are coming and we only have two nights’ training to prepare for them.

“We could try to change the way we play and forget about what we’ve done in the last two weeks.

“But I don’t think, if I’m honest, that I will change my ways for Rangers.”