Where will Robson sit?

[paul_oshea]

Being completely serious here, but i am confused by the title International Football Consultant.

So where will robson sit at football matches? will he even attend if he is only a "International Football Consultant", as I am sure most of you agree that term is very loose, and it leads me to think that is exactly why they have used this term, so it cant be defined, to prevent the press from stirring things if robson has a more/less impact/involvement than some think.
No one has actually "stated" his exact role.

so where will he sit at matches and will he be in constant contact with staunton during matches???? i dont think anyone here will be able to answer my question but i will endeavour to ask...

[NeilMcD]

He is goint to be the assistant, simple as that in my view. But they thought that the term assistant was inappropriate for a 72 year old so they came up with this rubbish term. Just PR spin by the FAI in my view. But he is replacing Chris Hughton in my view.

[colster]

so where will he sit at matches

on a chair :p

[NeilMcD]

Sir Bobby Robson, the mentor in the new Republic of Ireland management set-up, says he will help new boss Steve Staunton however he is asked in the task of rebuilding the team for the forthcoming European Championship qualification series.

Robson, who turns 73 next month, fills a newly-created role of international football consultant in Staunton’s backroom team.

The former PSV, Barcelona and Newcastle United boss, who declared he will call Staunton “Stan” or “Boss”, will help the new man in a wide range of ways, from scouting reports to training games and discreet advice.

Robson, who admits he has been impressed by the new Ireland manager over the past week, considering the fact that the job is the Dundalk man’s first in management, told Monday’s Mansion House press conference: “I’m here for Stan, in whichever way he sees fit. I’m not going to go in and try to be the boss. I’m not jealous, I don’t want Stan’s job.

“I’ll work closely with Stan, I’ll be on his shoulder, in training games and whatever. If I see something that’s lacking, something that needs to be done, I’ll tell him. If Stan takes it on board, great. If he says ‘I hear what you’re saying, but I disagree’, then fine.

“For the last 35 years or so, I’ve been on the football field and taking training and that’s my forte. But there are other aspects to international football, and I’ll be there to do whatever Stan asks of me.

“We’ve got to try to get Ireland back up to where we were a few years ago. We’ve slipped a bit in the rankings, but we want to start climbing that again. We need to be qualifying for big tournaments, not failing. The Republic of Ireland knocked Holland out a few years ago. I’ve worked in Holland, and I know how much that means.

"I’ve got to know Stan a little bit more in this last week. I watched him many times as a great player, for Liverpool and Aston Villa. He played more than 100 times for his country, I think that proves you’re a legend and you’re a master in your own right.

"The draw for the European Champs takes places at the end of the month. We’ll be fourth seed so it will be difficult, but we’re not afraid. We need to spread our net to try to get more players, looking to young players coming through who we need to discover. There’s an awful lot of work to do, but we’re not afraid of it.

“As an Englishman who managed his country for a little while, I would love to bring happiness and contentedness to Irish supporters. We’re not looking back, we’re looking forward, and I can’t wait.

“We’ll give everything we can to the cause, we want to be successful for everyone in Ireland, and we need everyone behind us

[Karlos]

Bobby is a shining example of a real top coach, what a fantastic group of quotes from him and what a shoulder he'll be for Stan. I'm over the moon that he will be working for us going forward. :)

[Tired&Emotional]

I love Bobby's liberal use of the word "we".......understandable I know but just sounds a bit odd having also pointed out that he's an Englishman whose managed his country for a little while....i've no problem with it, funny is all!!!

I would see him sitting in the stand however with McDonald and Kelly beside Stan in the dugout...?

[deadman]

it was somewhat sad to see Bobby in the press conference today.

a man with a great past and great experience finding himself in this situation because he's desperate to stay in the game

i'd love to see them be a success ... for themselves ... as well as for us,

[Karlos]

i'd love to see them be a success ... for themselves ... as well as for us,

I'd second that :)

[NeilMcD]

I think Robson will have a role that is very similar to Hughton in my view. Robsons expertise is on the training ground.

[Tired&Emotional]

That said Neil McD, what would McDonald's function be on the training pitch, where does he fit in to the love triangle?

[NeilMcD]

Well At Utd they have Ferguson, Quieroz and Pheland

Kerr had Hughton and O Reilly

O Neill had Robertson and Walford.

I am sure there is numerous examples were there are 3 or 4 people in the coaching set up. I think England have Mc Claren and Sammy Lee too

[klein4]

"bizarre love triangle" maybe that should be the song the team comes out to..
Robsons role will be like the mate you text at pub quizzes for answers and then high five yourself that you are so smart. so dunno where that means he sits.....at home watchin eastenders??????

beep! beep!

[Karlos]

Almost every single club in world football will have three coaches on the training field at the same time. I've seen upwards of five working on one group of players at the highest level and it's imperative to have such numbers so that people can look at different aspects of the sesisons (eg. defending as a unit, working on attack play etc) and also so that people can prepare training areas to ensure seemless transititions from one activity to the next.

There's nothing out of the ordinary having 3 people coaching at the highest level (or even the lowest level if the club is forward thinking enough!).:)

[NeilMcD]

Its seems that people who have a bit of knowledge about the game are responding to this in a fairly mature and rational way. However those that can barely string 2 sentences together are posting the usualy tripe.


I posted this in a previous thread and I think its suitable for this thread.


"It seems pretty clear now that Staunton is the man in charge and that Robson is his assistant in everything but name. If this is the case well then I suppose Robson is a higher calibre assistant than Hughton in relation to experience and tactical nous, and also we have to remember that Kerr and Hughton did not know each other either before they worked together for Ireland but no big hoo haa was created over that appointment. The reason for that is timing. I think if Staunton was announced as the the manager last week and today was the first we heard that he was going to have Robson as his assistant I think the reaction would have been different. "

[Karlos]

a very good point on the "knowing each other" idea, Neil - it's been quickly forgot that the same was in place with Hughton. In fact the set-up in some ways is very similar when you think about it with Robson coming in as Hughton did and McDonald coming in a similar way to O'Reilly.

My opinion on this for what it's worth is I don't think coaches and managers need to know each other well or even like each other in some bizarre incidents, to work effectively. There's plently of teams even at the moment having great success with coaches that never worked together before forming a coaching team - Wenger & Rice, Mourniho & Clarke, Ferguson & Querioz, Allerdyce & Lee to name a few.....

I'm genuinely excited to see how it all works out. Robson is an idol for me in the coaching world. Without the appointment of Robson, I'm not sure I'd be as positive as i am now. I think we still mightn't have good enough players to qualify but can't see it being a result of the coaching team not trying their best to achieve it as Kerr did. While I'd be the first to admit O'Neill was probably my first choice, the more I think about it, I'm not sure if he would be any more likely to succeed with the players we have than Stan & Bobby. It all remains to be seen. I'm not going to slate the FAI over the actual appointment just yet. (how it was handled etc is an entirely different matter).

[NeilMcD]

Hey Karlos you are just robbing my points that I made previously. Get your own points :)

[klein4]

Get A Rooom!!!!!!!:eek:

[Tired&Emotional]

Almost every single club in world football will have three coaches on the training field at the same time. I've seen upwards of five working on one group of players at the highest level and it's imperative to have such numbers so that people can look at different aspects of the sesisons (eg. defending as a unit, working on attack play etc) and also so that people can prepare training areas to ensure seemless transititions from one activity to the next.

There's nothing out of the ordinary having 3 people coaching at the highest level (or even the lowest level if the club is forward thinking enough!).:)

...in humble submission:cool:

However was listening to Dunphy Giles and Brady on Newstalk106 last friday morning and this was a question which was discussed. "It'll be a crowded training pitch!" they agreed. this would be in terms of footballing styles/ideas, i guess, as Staunton and Robson have never worked together previous and therefore perhaps have different football philosophies. In some of the examples given above (Fergie/Mike Phelan & ONeill/Robertson) these managers & coaches have a good working knowledge of each other and therefore similar ideas of how they see the game being played...

So "a bit of knowledge" might not have looked at it from all angles and compare setups that are not, in fact, the same

[Stuttgart88]

Between them, this management team has all the qualities required. It's a question of whether the individuals complement each other or whether it becomes a case of "too many cooks". As a natural optimist I see no reason why it can't be a case of "many hands make light work". I'm also very excited about some of the emerging talent and I for one can't wait for the draw for the Euros.

[NeilMcD]

Sorry Klein if you find the idea that people can agree on this forum so sickening. Karlos clearly knows what he is talking about when it comes to coaching etc, the only thing that lets him down is the club that he supports. I for one respect people on this forum that have intelligent and well argued points and if they clearly know what they are talking about.

[Karlos]

Hey Karlos you are just robbing my points that I made previously. Get your own points :) not at all.....merely adding some more value to them!! :)

I think your just shocked we agree on something!! :D

[klein4]

Sorry Klein if you find the idea that people can agree on this forum so sickening. Karlos clearly knows what he is talking about when it comes to coaching etc, the only thing that lets him down is the club that he supports. I for one respect people on this forum that have intelligent and well argued points and if they clearly know what they are talking about.
Apology accepted Neil.

[NeilMcD]

T&E, I was including you in the group of people that seem to have a bit of knowledge about football.

However I disagree with you that Clarke and Mourinhio knew much about each before they worked together at Chelsea, or that Martin Jol knew much about Hughton Or Erikson knew much about mc Claren or that Wenger knew Pat Rice.


Brady should know that you dont have to be best mates to be an effective team as he sees it at first hand at Arsenal. I think a mistake that Mc Carthy made was that he had Ian Evans with him at Ireland so he was basically a yes man to Mc Carthy. The same with Maurice Setters.

[NeilMcD]

Apology accepted Neil.


My mate is a comedian, do you want his number or maybe you should give Des Bishop a call as he is doing a series looking for stand ups.

[Tired&Emotional]

T&E, I was including you in the group of people that seem to have a bit of knowledge about football.

However I disagree with you that Clarke and Mourinhio knew much about each before they worked together at Chelsea, or that Martin Jol knew much about Hughton Or Erikson knew much about mc Claren or that Wenger knew Pat Rice.


Brady should know that you dont have to be best mates to be an effective team as he sees it at first hand at Arsenal. I think a mistake that Mc Carthy made was that he had Ian Evans with him at Ireland so he was basically a yes man to Mc Carthy. The same with Maurice Setters.


OK & take your point - you've come up with a few, a good few, there that I can't argue with;) - think Stuttgart88 says it best (from my take on it) with "too many cooks" and whether they all complement each other..

Only playing devil's advocate, of course, will be willing this to work like most of us and hope they put us back on the Intl football map:)

[NeilMcD]

I think the thing about coaches no knowing each other is that it is a risk. It has worked before and there are numerous examples but Staunton and Robson may clash over many ideas and they may find it unworkable. However I dont think this is going to ha0en. I think the main thing stopping us qualifying for Euro 2008 is lack of quality and experience on the playing side and a really tough group.

[klein4]

My mate is a comedian, do you want his number or maybe you should give Des Bishop a call as he is doing a series looking for stand ups.
If you were looking to send an arrow thru my heart...then bullseye...

[NeilMcD]

I would rather talk about footballing issues to be honest.

[Tired&Emotional]

So Klien4...where do you think he should sit, assuming you have an opinion as you've decided to throw your t'pence worth into this thread:confused:

[klein4]

where he should sit?
I assume if he is part of the management team he should be on the bench with the manager and his team.
if he is to sit in the stand for appearances sake; well that is just ridiculous.

[NeilMcD]

THere is nothing to suggest that he will be in the stand. Did we all question where, Chris Hughton was going to sit when he got the job. Did we question whether Brian and Chris knew each other, no we didnt. In fact, we and I mean as I said this at the time, we congratualted Kerr for appointing an ex Ireland international who had his coaching badges and was a coach under a number of manager at Spurs.

[Poor Student]

He should and I think will sit in the stand (wherever that may be). Staunton in the press conference Robson won't be that much use coming up to matches as he will be after matches and in the long tracts between games. I doubt they'll be in contact during games in that case.

[colster]

Does it really matter whether he's in the stands or on the bench.
There are plenty of examples of managers who sit in the stands for parts of a game. If Robson sits up there he can still provide useful comment during, at half time or after a game.

[hamish]

on a chair

:D :D :D

[livehead1]

T&E, I was including you in the group of people that seem to have a bit of knowledge about football.

However I disagree with you that Clarke and Mourinhio knew much about each before they worked together at Chelsea, or that Martin Jol knew much about Hughton Or Erikson knew much about mc Claren or that Wenger knew Pat Rice.


Brady should know that you dont have to be best mates to be an effective team as he sees it at first hand at Arsenal. I think a mistake that Mc Carthy made was that he had Ian Evans with him at Ireland so he was basically a yes man to Mc Carthy. The same with Maurice Setters.

i think it might work slightly different at international level. there some differences such as the fact that they meet irregularly whereas club managers and their coaches work together daily. Therefore many international managers will feel that it is important that they are working with someone that they know exactly how they work as they dont have the same chance to 'get to know each other' as they would at club level.

[Tired&Emotional]

Does it really matter whether he's in the stands or on the bench.
There are plenty of examples of managers who sit in the stands for parts of a game. If Robson sits up there he can still provide useful comment during, at half time or after a game.

I think the question eludes to the role of Robson on a game-to-game basis, team selection, tactics etc as opposed to where his ars* is more comfortable:eek:

[colster]

I think the question eludes to the role of Robson on a game-to-game basis, team selection, tactics etc as opposed to where his ars* is more comfortable:eek:

I think the question was where would he actually sit during games. I don't think it matters that much.
Anyway, as far as team selection + tactics go I think he'll have an input into them all but Stan will have the final say.
I think he'll be involved in Training as well especially in training matches, set pieces, tactics. He'll also be involved in video analysis.
He'll also be involved in some scouting of players.

Basically he'll be involved in practically everything.

[Karlos]

However I disagree with you that Clarke and Mourinhio knew much about each before they worked together at Chelsea, or that Martin Jol knew much about Hughton Or Erikson knew much about mc Claren or that Wenger knew Pat Rice.

Brady should know that you dont have to be best mates to be an effective team as he sees it at first hand at Arsenal. I think a mistake that Mc Carthy made was that he had Ian Evans with him at Ireland so he was basically a yes man to Mc Carthy. The same with Maurice Setters.

That was the point I was making earlier!!! :D Thief! :)

There's a long list in international Football too of coaches who never worked together. Generally, Managers will bring in a coach they know (O'Reilly, McDonald, Tord Gripp etc ) and an experienced coach and/or coaches that they haven't worked with but have local or international knowledge e.g. (Robson, McClaren, Sammy Lee, Tommy Burns with Walter Smith, Eddie Nez with Wales etc etc). I don't see any issue in the set up personally. Really what we have appointed is considered 'best practise' in the modern game.

[geysir]

If he sits in the dug out, fine but keep quiet at 1/2 time in the dressing room, that control should be Stan's perogative. If he is in the stand I hope he resists the urge to do a Cruyff, leaving his seat and coming down to the touchline to direct the team.

[paul_oshea]

[QUOTE]Robsons role will be like the mate you text at pub quizzes for answers and then high five yourself that you are so smart.[QUOTE]

I thought i was the only one to do that!!!

[paul_oshea]

Does it really matter whether he's in the stands or on the bench

Yes it does, its a question that has been lost on all, bar a handful by the looks of things, it defines two things:

his exact role.
his relationship with stan, and how they (will )get on ( think about this broadly )

Geysir, see thats where im coming from i think you see the question more than most. If he is passionate about the job like he says then he will want to "interfere!" and help stan out, so if he were in the stands this would totally undermine stan if he came down/started telling him what to do etc, whereas if he is in the dugout he can discreetly discuss with stan what he thinks needs to be done. However if robson is in the dugout and mcdonald is there, thats three chiefs, and who is the high chief? that has to be robson, and in my opinion that will undermine stan, no matter what anyone says their positions/relationship is, because its not as if robson is going to sit down and eat monster munch and watch the game as a passive fan. now is it?

please think out of the box on this lads, cos it is quite a big issue here, though you might not think and the fact that the FAI havent set in stone these exact "rules"( for use of a far better word) in the role makes it even more confusing/worrying.

[klein4]

Geysir, see thats where im coming from i think you see the question more than most. If he is passionate about the job like he says then he will want to "interfere!" and help stan out, so if he were in the stands this would totally undermine stan if he came down/started telling him what to do etc, whereas if he is in the dugout he can discreetly discuss with stan what he thinks needs to be done. However if robson is in the dugout and mcdonald is there, thats three chiefs, and who is the high chief? that has to be robson, and in my opinion that will undermine stan, no matter what anyone says their positions/relationship is, because its not as if robson is going to sit down and eat monster munch and watch the game as a passive fan. now is it?

I suppose you would have to think that robson would be aware of this more than anyone.he is obviously a smart man to be as successful as he has been so he obviously knows that if staunton is manager than he cant be running down from the stands taking over. and to be honest I dont really care if robson turns out to have a greater influence on things than is being made out as long is it is for the good of the team. I dont care wether its him or staunton gets us to the euro championships as long as we get there.

[mypost]

I love Bobby's liberal use of the word "we".......understandable I know but just sounds a bit odd having also pointed out that he's an Englishman whose managed his country for a little while....i've no problem with it, funny is all!!!

Not as funny as when he referred to Ireland as "we" during half time of the WC match v Saudi Arabia on ITV. :confused: :D


Sir Bobby Robson

There is no Sir in Robson's name here. :rolleyes:

[Den Perry]

He should and I think will sit in the stand (wherever that may be). Staunton in the press conference Robson won't be that much use coming up to matches as he will be after matches and in the long tracts between games. I doubt they'll be in contact during games in that case.

If he sits in the stand, it might be a good idea for him to block book the tickets....

[Risteard]

Being completely serious here, but i am confused by the title International Football Consultant.
Isn't it obvious?
It's just in case anything to do with international football pops up for Stan. I'd go along with the idea that he's assistant manager and would expect to see him in the dugout. What were the titles of the other two?

[Jerry The Saint]

On Newstalk they asked Staunton whether Uncle Sir Bobby would be sitting in the dugout advising/mentoring/consulting with him during matches. Steve got defensive and hinted strongly that he wouldn't saying "I'd haardly be able to concentrate on the game if I had to listen to Bobby during it, now would I?".

I don't see why not? I can follow a game and listen to my mates talking crap at the same time. It's not like he's going to have Mad Tom from Cork in the dugout beside him (although Staunton did say he wanted to bring in someone to watch eircom League games for him...:p )

I'm disappointed that the ability to handle a bit of light multi-tasking is another quality, like experience, that isn't necessary for the job of Ireland manager. :(

[NeilMcD]

Not as funny as when he referred to Ireland as "we" during half time of the WC match v Saudi Arabia on ITV. :confused: :D



There is no Sir in Robson's name here. :rolleyes:


I think if you look at my quotes I dont use Sir Bobby Robons, however this is a cut and paste job from a website and the journalist wrote the article. SO its unfair to quote me as if I am calling him Sir Bobby Robon.

[Den Perry]

You know what, its just dawned on me....I thought it was Sir Bobby Geldof that Staunton was bringing in as Advisor.....that changes things completely. I was there thinking, this is a f***** joke. Only copped it now. Good choice Stan, Good choice

[Tired&Emotional]

Give up the drugs, if they're illegal OR keep taking them if their prescription:eek:

[pete]

I thought the Press Conference was laughable. One of the most experienced top level managers in this part of the world in an undetermined "advisor" role to a person who has never managed a U12 schoolboys team let alone a senior international side.

Seemed to be that Robson just taking the cash & has no idea what his role in the Management team will be. His comments that he will "do whatever Steven asks him to do" could mean he'll be the ballboy.

:rolleyes: