FULHAM v OLDHAM WILD SHUN Latics caretaker Pete: I’m not ready for top job even if we beat Cottagers today
NOT even another Oldham giant-killing in the FA Cup today would tempt caretaker boss Pete Wild into taking charge for the long term.
Many stand- in managers cannot wait to be offered the job full-time – just ask Ole Gunnar Solskjaer down the road at Manchester United.
He would love to stay on when his interim stint is over at the end of the season after five wins in five games since stepping in after Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
But, despite beating Port Vale and Notts Country in his two games since being given the reins at Boundary Park with the sacking of Frankie Bunn, Wild has no desire to join the managerial rat race yet.
And even outfoxing f ormer Leicester t i t l e- winne r and
Fulham boss Claudio
Ranieri (right) when the League Two club visit Craven Cottage will not change his mind.
“The average lifespan of a manager last season was 14 months and two in three managers don’t get a second job” said academy chief Wild, who has seen eight Oldham bosses axed in the last four years.
“So you have to be ready and know that, if it doesn’t go your way, you’ll be out of work. I just feel I can’t be in that position at the moment and I can’t take that leap of faith.
“Sentiment could make you go, ‘ Yeah, let’s go for it’. But I think I have to take a step back and think about what’s right for my family.
“I’ve asked myself, ‘How am I going to learn the most?’ For me, that’s probably staying with the academy role I’ve got. Although ■ This is just the second FA Cup match between Fulham and Oldham, with Fulham 2-0 victors in 1982-83’s 3rd round. this caretaker role will give me better experience, you have to be ready for the challenge of being a manager.
“If you feel you’re not, it’s best being honest with y ourself and admit you’re not ready.
“But what a team someone will have to take over here at
Oldham. There are some top players here who are maybe better than this level.
“The team is on the fringe of the playoffs and doing OK, so someone will be in a really good place coming here.
“When a manager normally takes over, it’s all doom and gloom because results aren’t going well.
But I think someone will have a right ticket here when they come in.”
Wild had already bought his own rail and match tickets to go with mates to Craven Cottage before being put in charge – now he is in the dugout taking on Ranieri.
“We’ve nothing to lose,” added Wild. “We’ll give it a go and try and stay in the game as long as we can. Fulham aren’t in the best form, so maybe we can add to their frustrations.
“Hopefully, we can pull off a shock.”