' RUSSELL SLADE REFLECTS... '
Tue May 10, 2016 1:56 pm
Manager Russell Slade has looked back on his time in the Welsh capital as manager of Cardiff following the final game of the 2015/16 Championship campaign against Birmingham City.
10th May 2016
With it being announced prior to the game that he would be stepping into a Head of Football role at the club and no longer being manager, it was his final game in charge and Cardiff played out a one all draw after missing out on the Play Off spots in the end.
Speaking to Wales Online in his post game press conference the 2016/17 season figured highly in the questioning, and Slade admitted he wasn't 100% on what his role would be now.
'It`s been a difficult week after the disappointment of not getting that vital result at Sheffield. It was always going to be tough. And then the changes that have been announced. We wanted to go out with a bang, but we did not get the best of starts. We showed character to get back in the game, but we did not take it on this time. We were disappointed we did not get the win. It was nice at the end. It was nice to have that rapport and that relationship which has grown with the fans over my time here. It`s not quite enough, we know that, but at least we have stability. When I came to the club, we were 17th. We managed to stop that slide, turn it around, address the financial side, reduce the wage bill.'
The 55 year old went on to say that his feeling for the club meant that he wasn't bitter about effectively doing the dirty work so somebody new could come in and take the benefits of that.
'I'm not a bitter and twisted man. It`s for the good of the club. There`s nothing bigger than the club, that`s the most important thing. I appreciate that, no one is bigger than the club. I will play my part. I`m pleased and proud of what my players and my staff have done. I think it`s a great opportunity now. It`s not going to be the club I came into. It`s going to be a club that came very close to finishing in the top six, there`s a great platform to build on, that is what someone is going to inherit. It`s quite exciting. I did want a bit more, we all want a bit more as a manager in terms of success, but I think the perception from outside is that me and my team have done a good job here, we just missed out, but it`s a tick in the box.'
Moving on, he said there was plenty to discuss about his new role still.
'There`s lots to talk about. There`s a million things going round my head. I will look at what needs addressing and try and define those areas more clearly. We need to sit down and define those areas between us. We lack any head of recruitment. We`ve not got one here and that side needs addressing properly. I`m sure that will be a chunk of what I take on board. We`ll have a look, to ensure we are doing that in a more professional manner going forward.'
He went on to explain.
'The owner`s made the decision that he wants to go in a slightly different direction in terms of his manager. But also he wants to improve the infrastructure at the club. It`s a more continental and modern approach to the game. It works elsewhere and some places it has not worked. But it a direction the club wants to go in so we all have to embrace it. It`s a challenge. It will be different, there will be changes, but the most important thing is that we make it work. I`m hoping we can organise recruiting better, present players to the manager and then it will be down to the manager and the board to give it a yes or no.'
He went on to say that so far it had been explained that he would report to Ken Choo, as would the new head coach, but first team matters such as selection would remain with the head coach.
'We will both report to Ken Choo. The selection of the side will be completely down to the manager and that`s exactly as it should be. It might develop into something else, it`s a question of whether I am asked for my opinion. It`s early days so it`s difficult for me to say exactly what the relationship will be. I`ve done 700-odd games as a manager now. That`s something I`ll have to come to terms with but it`s been my life. It`s not something I`d throw away easily. If this role wasn`t something I felt long-term I`m cut out for, I would look at other options.'
10th May 2016
With it being announced prior to the game that he would be stepping into a Head of Football role at the club and no longer being manager, it was his final game in charge and Cardiff played out a one all draw after missing out on the Play Off spots in the end.
Speaking to Wales Online in his post game press conference the 2016/17 season figured highly in the questioning, and Slade admitted he wasn't 100% on what his role would be now.
'It`s been a difficult week after the disappointment of not getting that vital result at Sheffield. It was always going to be tough. And then the changes that have been announced. We wanted to go out with a bang, but we did not get the best of starts. We showed character to get back in the game, but we did not take it on this time. We were disappointed we did not get the win. It was nice at the end. It was nice to have that rapport and that relationship which has grown with the fans over my time here. It`s not quite enough, we know that, but at least we have stability. When I came to the club, we were 17th. We managed to stop that slide, turn it around, address the financial side, reduce the wage bill.'
The 55 year old went on to say that his feeling for the club meant that he wasn't bitter about effectively doing the dirty work so somebody new could come in and take the benefits of that.
'I'm not a bitter and twisted man. It`s for the good of the club. There`s nothing bigger than the club, that`s the most important thing. I appreciate that, no one is bigger than the club. I will play my part. I`m pleased and proud of what my players and my staff have done. I think it`s a great opportunity now. It`s not going to be the club I came into. It`s going to be a club that came very close to finishing in the top six, there`s a great platform to build on, that is what someone is going to inherit. It`s quite exciting. I did want a bit more, we all want a bit more as a manager in terms of success, but I think the perception from outside is that me and my team have done a good job here, we just missed out, but it`s a tick in the box.'
Moving on, he said there was plenty to discuss about his new role still.
'There`s lots to talk about. There`s a million things going round my head. I will look at what needs addressing and try and define those areas more clearly. We need to sit down and define those areas between us. We lack any head of recruitment. We`ve not got one here and that side needs addressing properly. I`m sure that will be a chunk of what I take on board. We`ll have a look, to ensure we are doing that in a more professional manner going forward.'
He went on to explain.
'The owner`s made the decision that he wants to go in a slightly different direction in terms of his manager. But also he wants to improve the infrastructure at the club. It`s a more continental and modern approach to the game. It works elsewhere and some places it has not worked. But it a direction the club wants to go in so we all have to embrace it. It`s a challenge. It will be different, there will be changes, but the most important thing is that we make it work. I`m hoping we can organise recruiting better, present players to the manager and then it will be down to the manager and the board to give it a yes or no.'
He went on to say that so far it had been explained that he would report to Ken Choo, as would the new head coach, but first team matters such as selection would remain with the head coach.
'We will both report to Ken Choo. The selection of the side will be completely down to the manager and that`s exactly as it should be. It might develop into something else, it`s a question of whether I am asked for my opinion. It`s early days so it`s difficult for me to say exactly what the relationship will be. I`ve done 700-odd games as a manager now. That`s something I`ll have to come to terms with but it`s been my life. It`s not something I`d throw away easily. If this role wasn`t something I felt long-term I`m cut out for, I would look at other options.'
Re: RUSSELL REFLECTS...
Tue May 10, 2016 1:57 pm
Final sentence interesting:
Russell: "If this role wasn`t something I felt long-term I`m cut out for, I would look at other options"
Watch this space IMHO
Russell: "If this role wasn`t something I felt long-term I`m cut out for, I would look at other options"
Watch this space IMHO
Re: RUSSELL REFLECTS...
Tue May 10, 2016 5:25 pm
There`s nothing bigger than the club, that`s the most important thing.
This for me speak volumes for Slade, he's done a lot of hard work sorting out other peoples mess and this attitude means that Cardiff City will continue to be a club us fans can continue to support generation after generation.
Having him in situ will ensure that everyone keeps focused on this club ethos. I know a lot of fans will disagree and will simply want Tan to spend millions to buy instant success, however people need to get real and understand what we've been through.
Personally I'm glad Slade has got the role he's been given and will ensure the interest of the club are put first.
This for me speak volumes for Slade, he's done a lot of hard work sorting out other peoples mess and this attitude means that Cardiff City will continue to be a club us fans can continue to support generation after generation.
Having him in situ will ensure that everyone keeps focused on this club ethos. I know a lot of fans will disagree and will simply want Tan to spend millions to buy instant success, however people need to get real and understand what we've been through.
Personally I'm glad Slade has got the role he's been given and will ensure the interest of the club are put first.