At the blunt end of
investigative journalism as always Gino Kinnearo ventured outside of his Italian stomping ground and posed a series
of questions to myself with the request that I post my answers on the Blog.
1)
There
was a recent article in the Marca entitled "The Rise of the Failure"
which was an article based on an unnamed SM T100 manager who got given a big
job despite a lack of success and has failed miserably. Your cross-city rival
Tom Parfitt has claimed that it was about you? What are your thoughts?
Tom should probably concentrate more on developing his
team to a position where they would warrant being called rivals rather
than reading gutter journalism articles and worrying about whether another
manager is bashing his supposed girlfriends front and back doors in.
Can’t say I’ve read the article you’re referring to in
all honesty, more of a Whippet & Ferret Weekly reader myself, but as I was
appointed with the sole remit of keeping Valencia in the top flight last season
and as that objective was achieved I think it would be more accurate, if it is
referring to me, if it read “succeeded miserably”.
2)
Some
say that your boot-room style of manager is stifling the creativity of some of
your players and that you shouldn't be allowed near such levels of talent. Is
this true? Or again do you think that this statement is not directed at
yourself or rather an alternative manager.
It’s probably a fair comment, I’m old school &
believe in breaking the game down to basics & playing it simply, which
suits most of the players because to a man they are basic & simple.
If they want to be more creative they can take up
painting, writing or basket weaving in their own time, but I won’t hold my
breath, half of em can’t even tie their own bootlaces.
3)
We
all have seen the pictures of you and DP sipping ice tea working out deals - Is
DP really a nice man? The Italian managers can't stand him... always
interfering, irritating all and sundry - is this a true reflection on the
man?
It’s Dan that drinks the ice tea, twatish drink if you
ask me, I’ll stick to my builders brew.
Despite our different philosophies on how the game
should be played we have a lot in common, we both think you’re a prick to start
off with but other than that Dan was a great help in finding a decent plumber
to disconnect the hot water supply to the showers.
Would I call him nice? If nice means I don’t want to
smack him every time he opens his mouth then I guess so. As for interfering
& irritating there was that time when he called round & I caught him
ironing the training bibs, wasn’t a problem though as it made it easier to
stitch the wire wool inside em.
4)
What
do you make of Genoa and Frank Hirst's seemingly rapid rise up the Divisions?
Do you like many suspect that it is all fixed?
I’d hardly call it rapid, after all you’ve managed as
many relegations as he has promotions in the same time.
In all honesty I’m too busy here checking the lads
aren’t replacing the Izal toilet paper with that namby pamby Andrex stuff to
worry about what other managers are up to but I think “the many” should either
put up some evidence to support their conspiracy theory or stop tittle tattling
like fish wives.
5)
You
are currently taking part in the Youth Cup with Valencia? How are you finding
the whole experience? Going well and how far can you go? And what of the World
Club Cup?
Have to admit I’ve been enjoying working with the
Youth team, had to take over from Phil as he was insisting on doing it the
“Fergie way”, if I’ve told him once I’ve told him a hundred times that you’ll
never win anything with kids. Anyway didn’t take long before they grasped that
one 70 yard punt up field is far more efficient than 9 or 10 tippy tap passes.
They’ve been doing well & if they qualify I may
buy them a new toothbrush for cleaning out the shitters.
As for the World Club Cup I’m looking for a good
showing against Bremen to see us through, it’s been a good opportunity to try
out a few new fangled things, like passing.
6)
You
used to manage Olympiacos. Recently there was a poll of the greatest ever
Olympiacos manager in all of history and you received only 5% of the vote with
Alex McClean getting 94% and some guy called Watson getting 1%... are you
offended by the fans view of your work there?
Not at all, I’m well aware of the accuracy of your
“Fan Polls” but I know replacing Fruitopolis with Longley Farm yoghurt at the
snack counters didn’t go down well with the majority.
I really enjoyed my time in Piraeus, until that
unfortunate incident at the Blue Oyster club. Alex has finally got them
motoring & deserves the plaudits, fair play & good luck to him.
7)
And
finally we all know that the Valencia fans expect a Top 4 finish but what is
your aim? what is really realistic?
A bit disappointed that the fans don’t expect us to
finish top to be honest, but at least it shows I’m doing a half decent job in
driving down expectations.
Our primary aim for the season has to be to avoid the
drop, I’ve stated publicly that I will resign if we get relegated, as I believe
that is what any decent, self respecting manager should do & I will stand
by my word.
Beyond that I’d like to think we have an outside
chance of making the SMFA Shield for next season, oh & I’d finally like to
get rid of the Neville Breville.
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