Neil eager to follow in Lambert’s footsteps
Neil aims to follow in Lambert’s footsteps and take Norwich up
ALEX NEIL already has one victory to his credit as Norwich manager, having received very public assurances that he will have total control over transfer ins and outs at Carrow Road. Now f or the next j ob — emulating the promotion-winning success of compatriot Paul Lambert.
The former Hamilton boss was unveiled as manager of the Canaries yesterday, fending off questions about his tender years — all 33 of them — and promising to target a play-off spot as a ‘minimum’ in his attempt to guide Norwich back to the Premier League.
Chief executive David McNally, who said Neil’s record was even more impressive than Lambert’s when they hired the former Scotland star from Colchester, insisted that Norwich’s football department, complete with head of recruitment and technical director, wouldn’t be allowed to overrule the judgment of the new man.
Aware that Neil had made ‘total control’ a condition of taking the job, McNally said: ‘The manager is the most important person when it comes to football matters at the club.
‘We support the football manager with a technical director, which is a supporting system, and we have somebody who heads up the recruitment.
‘But Alex will be the person who decides which players come into the club, his opinion will matter most — and Alex will decide who goes.
‘If there are ones we want to leave the club, it will be his decision, too.
‘The technical director and head of recruitment are there to support us. There is no way any player will join the club without the manager having his name all over that player. Equally with players leaving the club.
‘It will be the manager’s decision, first and foremost, as it always has been.’
Neil, adamant that he is the right man to take Norwich back to the top flight, accepts that predecessor Neil Adams walking away because the team are only in seventh place — three points off the play- off spots — is a sign of the expectation levels in Norfolk.
‘I’m under no illusion that, if I finish seventh or lower, it will be a disappointment,’ said the former Accies player- coach, who will register as a player for Norwich purely to play an instructional role in Under-21 games.
‘I know exactly the challenge I’m taking on. We are capable of climbing up the table.
‘As a manager, you are always under pressure. When I took over at Hamilton, we were second or third bottom, and the pressure was to get away from the wrong end of the league. That is pressure.
‘Here at Norwich, we are sitting seventh, three points away from the play-offs. And the pressure is to get into the play- offs as a minimum. To give ourselves a chance to reach the Premier League.
‘So, of course there is pressure. But that’s what makes it so exciting.
‘My reaction to getting the call was probably the same as the fans, a bit of surprise. I was watching an Under-20s game when I got the phone call and it just sort of gathered pace.
‘I’m excited and looking forward to the challenge.
‘My style is honest and up front. I’ll let the lads know what is expected of them. I know, from my own experience as a player, that footballers appreciate that.’
Neil, who has signed a oneyear rolling contract, will keep coaches Mike Phelan and Gary Holt in place and take his Accies assistant Frankie McAvoy to Norwich with him.
Having just arrived in time to speak to the players yesterday, he won’t be in the technical area f or today’s game at league leaders Bournemouth, although he does intend to address the team at half-time and full-time.
‘I’m very confident,’ he said, when asked about taking over a team with Premier League ambitions at such a young age.
‘It is similar to when I got the Hamilton job. I was only 31 at the time, still playing, but I got the opportunity.
‘You always have a little bit of trepidation going into it, thinking: “Am I prepared, am I ready for it?” But I took it on and did well. I find myself in a similar position coming to Norwich.
‘There are a lot of young coaches coming through. Brendan Rodgers was relatively young when he took over as a manager, Andre Villas-Boas as well.
‘Having experienced guys on the staff is crucial. Mike Phelan fits that bill, Frankie McAvoy as well. And I know Gary Holt well from his time at Falkirk — we were fighting over the Championship title (in Scotland) last season.
‘I spoke to the squad to let them know I’m here to help, make them function as a group. I’ve told them I’ll give them 100 per cent — and I expect the same back.
‘We want to get in people’s faces, get the ball and control it. That’s my philosophy. When the opposition get the ball, we go and get it. Then we use it to create as many chances as possible.’
Asked if he might return to New Douglas Park for some of Hamilton’s best prospects before the transfer window closes, Neil said: ‘It has not even crossed my mind. But Hamilton have a great set-up, some great players.
‘The first thing I’ll do is assess the Norwich squad, see if there are areas we need to improve on.’
McNally did not shy away from making comparisons with a young Lambert, saying: ‘Alex’s record as a manager is better than Paul’s was when he joined us. And, if Alex can do as well as Paul did here, everybody will be happy.’