Neil tells Norwich: I need full control
ALEX NEIL has warned Norwich he will demand full managerial control before committing his future to the Carrow Road club. Hamilton yesterday agreed compensation with the Canaries to take their manager to the Championship. Neil, who caught the eye of the Norfolk club by leading Accies to promotion then to third in the Scottish Premiership, has already held preliminary discussions with the City board and will resume negotiations today. But although it is widely anticipated that his move is a formality, the 33-year-old insists no club in the land could tempt him if he is not afforded full scope to do his job. ‘What has to happen is I’ve got to be happy with the job description and what my role will be — in terms of how much power I’ll have,’ Neil said. ‘Because here at Hamilton the
From Back Page bottom line is I’ve got the decisions to make, I’m the decision-maker and whatever comes or goes is through me.’ Asked about the increasing number of head-coach positions south of the border where player recruitment is done by someone else, Neil stated: ‘That won’t be the case. If I’m a manager, I’ll manage. ‘I’m not going for someone to tell me what to do — there’s no point if that’s the case. ‘My description of a manager — and this is nothing to do with Norwich, just my description — is that he is the guy who manages the team and decides whether players come or go.’ Pressed if there was any suggestion that Norwich were not looking for a traditional manager, Neil retorted: ‘Not so far, whether that’s the case tomorrow ... that’s how it might not happen. ‘Really, tomorrow will determine what will happen one way or the other. ‘It’s the full thing, the package has got to be right. I’m not going to uproot my family and move down there for an extra 20 quid. ‘And I’m not going to go down there to be dictated to by someone else.’ Barring a remarkable turn of events, however, confirmation of Neil replacing Neil Adams at Carrow Road will come later today. Accies vice-chairman Ronnie MacDonald believes Neil’s move to a side sitting just outside the Championship play-off positions further enhances his club’s reputation as a developer of people. ‘An amicable arrangement has been agreed and Alex can now discuss terms with them,’ he said. ‘We are delighted for Alex. He has been fantastic for us and is yet another Hamilton success story, whereby we have produced players, sports scientists, managers and coaches. ‘We were lucky enough to have Billy Reid, who became Manager of the Year, and had the chance to go to Swansea. ‘We also had Graeme Jones here, who is now assistant to Roberto Martinez at Everton, and Alex is the latest one. We wish him all the best.’