10 years a boss, but he considers himself a pup
Tuesday marks the 10th anniversary of Graham Alexander taking the reins at Fleetwood, his first manager’s job.
He’ll spend much of the day priming himself for his next decade in the dugout, and beyond.
The ex-Scotland full-back took a necessary breather after leaving Motherwell in July. Now he’s refreshed, and ready for a new challenge.
Alexander was proud of lifting The Steelmen from joint-bottom to fifth and Europe in 18 months.
However, he’s leaving no stone unturned to ensure future employers hire an improved managerial product.
The 51-year-old has undertaken a twopart recovery process since dealing with after-shocks of his departure, and freeing his mind of football for a period.
The first saw him and assistant, Chris Lucketti, conduct a thorough review of their Fir Park spell, good and bad.
The second is Alexander’s daily routine of intensive online studies, twinned with fitness work.
He’s soaking up knowledge, scrutinising clubs performing well in their divisions, then tackling physical challenges.
So he hopes his mind and body will be in peak condition for when the time – and opportunity – is right.
Alexander, who also enjoyed successful spells at Scunthorpe and Salford, said: “In 10 years, I’ve got decent experience. But I’m still a pup, really, compared to the longevity of some.
“I played for 24 years but, at the age of 38, was still learning things. I feel like that as a manager. It’s vital, when the next chance comes, that I’m better than before.
“Striving to improve, even 1%, has always been in my character.
“I rose from the bottom level in England, to the Premier League and playing for Scotland.
“I’m an ambitious guy, I want to manage at the highest level. It took me a while as player, and it could be the same as a manager.
“My best years were between 30 and 40, and it wasn’t down to one particular coach. There was a lot I did for myself. I was openminded to what I had to do better, and that’s what I’m doing now.
“In a job, you’re so focused on everyone else. This period, where you don’t have
the responsibility, it’s exciting to focus on yourself.
“I don’t want this time to be wasted where I’m still the same person, the same manager. So it’s like a boot camp for me.
“I’ve analysed what’s going on at different levels. It might be how a high-scoring team is creating chances,or what a team with a good defensive record is doing differently to create that.
“I want to find fresh ideas, and mould them with what I already did, which I know works and brings success.
“The energy needed for managing is massive. For long hours, you must be fresh and enthusiastic. I’ve got back into gym work. I feel better physically.”
Alexander has rejected three jobs in England, one which came hot on the heels of the Motherwell exit when emotions remained too raw.
The European defeat to Sligo Rovers saw fans turn on him, but he offers a stout defence of his tenure.
Alexander said: “Apart from Rangers and Celtic, we won the most Premiership points in our 18 months – you don’t fluke that.
“We came from behind 13 times to get points – the most of all Scottish clubs – which showed a great attitude.
“There are things we could have improved on, we know that. But we’re extremely proud of that record.
“We were fourth-top scorers while losing Devante Cole in the summer, then Tony Watt in mid-season, to the team that pipped us for fourth.
“We’d a really difficult period after the winter break, two months where we couldn’t win. But at the crunch, the players dug it out for top six, and we got important wins against Ross County and Hearts after the split.
“There was a lot of anger in Sligo. But I don’t let one incident or small period overshadow what we did. I loved working for the club throughout it all.”