‘Lower-league managers hit by Ange effect’
Aberdeen manager-elect Jimmy Thelin is just the latest beneficiary of the Ange Postecoglou effect, according to Stenhousemuir chairman Iain Mcmenemy.
But he reckons the trend for top clubs to look further afield is squeezing opportunities for Scotland’s lower league bosses.
However, it is a development which he believes could help his club hold on to their title-winning leader, Gary Naysmith.
“Managers get headhunted, and Gary has a good record,” he said of the former Scotland internationalist who led the Warriors up to League One.
“He won a title with East Fife. He has won a title with Stenhousemuir and, relatively speaking, he is still a young manager.
“We took our division by storm this season – to get 12 wins in a row was amazing – so eyes will be on him. “I think he is an ambitious man, he probably wants to move on to full-time management.
“At the same time, though, I do believe the Ange Postecoglou effect has impacted Scottish football. “Someone, who a lot of people did not know and who in some quarters was ridiculed, that was able to come into our game and make such a big impact. “Not just results either but the way he was able to identify players from a different part of the world to bring in, the likes of Kyogo. That has made other clubs look to other countries.” Celtic’s Old Firm rivals Rangers and Aberdeen are among them. “Philippe Clement came to Rangers from Europe and has been a revelation,” said Mcmenemy.
“He is very impressive, he speaks so well, and you can see the impact he has had on players – they would run over a cliff for him.
“And now we are told the Dons have turned to Scandinavia for their next manager.
“So, the net effect of that is there is not as many opportunities for Scottish ones who have started their journey lower down the leagues here.
“I think there are still some opportunities in the Championship and lower Premiership but they are limited.”