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In football, the buck stops with the manager. If the team plays well, it’s the manager who gets credit. Yet if the team under-perform he is the first one to be criticised by the media and fans alike. However, while managers are the ones who are in the limelight, not much attention is given to the man behind the scenes: the assistant manager.
Behind every successful manager is an astute assistant manager (sorry, couldn’t resist). Having said that, let’s now take a look at some of the best manager-assistant combinations seen in world football:
Alex Ferguson-Steve McClaren: During his 26-year managerial career at Manchester United, Sir Alex had a fair few assistant managers. However, none had the type of impact that Steve McClaren did. When he joined the club in the beginning of 1999, he was a relatively unknown person. However, his first season at the club saw United win the Treble and the following two seasons saw United win the League titles. During his three-year stint at United, he developed a reputation as one of the most tactically astute managers in the country, renowned for using modern methods such as video analysis to get the best out of United’s players. He eventually left the club and embarked on a managerial career, although his success has been mixed.
Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova
Pep Guardiola-Tito Vilanova: Pep Guardiola’s first proper managerial job was that of Barcelona B, and he got the team promoted to the second division. The very next season he was appointed Barcelona’s manager and Vilanova followed him there. Together, the two would go on to create one of the most successful teams in modern football, winning an impressive 14 trophies in 3 years (jncluding 2 Champions League trophies and 3 La Liga titles). Pep was and is a master tactician; however, Vilanova’s importance in that partnership cannot be undermined.
Pat Rice and Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger-Pat Rice: When Arsene Wenger first arrived at Arsenal, Le Professeur could count on Arsenal stalwart Pat Rice (who was caretaker manager before his appointment) for guidance and assistance whenever necessary. And the two made a formidable pair. Rice played a key part in helping Wenger and Arsenal to two Doubles in 1997-98 and 2001-02 as well as in Arsenal’s unbeaten 2003-04 season. Pat Rice called it a day in 2012, bringing an end to a stunning 44-year association with the club. But the work he put in to the club, whether as a player, youth manager or assistant manager will never be forgotten.
Brian Clough and Peter Taylor
Brain Clough-Peter Taylor: Possibly the most famous combination of manager and assistant to have graced English football, the two worked miracles at both Derby County and Nottingham Forest. Clough thought very highly of Taylor, and even said that “I am the shop window and he (Taylor) is the goods in the back”. Clough relied heavily on Taylor for support, especially during his troubled spell at Leeds United. Sadly, both men had a falling out that wasn’t resolved, although Clough stated that he regretted the fight. Nevertheless, in terms of legendary manager-assistant combinations, these two are right up with the best.
