It was the end of the football season and I was sat at home waiting for my wife to finish off the sunday roast, whilst lounging about watching Sky Sports News. About a month or so earlier I had taken and passed my coaching badges so I was hoping to get a coaching job or possibly if I was lucky, a managers job somewhere. As I was waiting, Georgie Thompson came up on my screen with some potentially good breaking news, so I sat up and listened..
We understand that in the last hour, Swansea City Brendan Rogers has had his contract mutually terminated by chairman Huw Jenkins because he didn't think Rogers was the right man to take the club into the top flight. Rogers was said to have been "disappointed, but it won't affect the relationship him and Huw have because he understands that football is a business nowadays." Bookies are placing bets on who will be the new Swansea manager with Martin O'Neill said to be the front runner.
I was shocked at why he was sacked, but more delighted because I had one of the top footballing agents in the country and I knew that if we put our minds to it we'd be able to pip O'Neill to that job! So I immediately grabbed my mobile and rang Ted, my agent. As soon as he answered he said "Don't worry Ben, I've already got you an interview with Huw Jenkins tomorrow morning, at 8am." I was delighted! I couldn't hide my excitement and that night I struggled to even get to sleep. I was like a little boy on Christmas eve.
So the next morning me and Ted set off in his Range Rover Sport on our quest to Wales.I dozed off for what seemed about 10 seconds, but Ted woke me telling me we were near the Liberty Stadium where we were meeting the Chairman Huw Jenkins. We turned a corner and suddenly it was there. The place I was hoping to call home, the Liberty Stadium.
I turned to Ted and said "Wow, that's beautiful!" He smiled and agreed and said "Come on Ben, we've got to meet this chairman and land you the job." We entered the reception and Mr Jenkins was already standing there waiting and we said our hellos and shook hands, where he then guided us to his pitch side office.
Huw Jenkins: Let's cut to the chase Mr Campbell, I want you in charge here. I feel you're the right man for this job, experience or not. I feel you've got what it takes to run this team and guide up to the top flight, so I'll put the offer on the table now. I will give you a deal to June 2012, worth £7,000 a week. How do you feel?
Ben Campbell: Wow, really!? I don't know what to say Mr Chairman. Of course I'll run this team and together we can become the successful champions you always wanted!
We had a few drinks and as me and Ted left, BBC Reporters had caught wind of what was going on and started to question me and my managerial skills, but Ted told me to just not say anything, so we ignored them. I got home, checked the BBC Sport website to find this..
BBC Sport understands that Swansea City have today appointed inexperienced man Ben Campbell as their new manager on a contract until June 2012. Some Swansea fans are questioning Huw Jenkins decision to sack Rodgers and replace him with someone who only passed his coaching badges a couple of months back. Other fans are said to be relishing the chance to see what Campbell can do with there team. Campbell with start work in his new job and report back to pre-season training on June 10th.
BBC Sport understands that Swansea City have today appointed inexperienced man Ben Campbell as their new manager on a contract until June 2012. Some Swansea fans are questioning Huw Jenkins decision to sack Rodgers and replace him with someone who only passed his coaching badges a couple of months back. Other fans are said to be relishing the chance to see what Campbell can do with there team. Campbell with start work in his new job and report back to pre-season training on June 10th.
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Huw Jenkins: Welcome to the club Ben. As I told you before, you'll be on a contract until June 2012 worth £7,000 a week. Please ignore the claims from the media that you're to inexperienced and get on with the job in hand.
I have given you a budget of £2,000,000 and a wage budget of £115,000. The club are already spending £95,000 a week on wages. In about half hour or so you'll be facing the media so I suggest you suit yourself up. I hope we can get on together and move Swansea City Football Club forward!
Later that day Ben Campbell has to face questions from the media.
Media: You sit here as the new manager of Swansea. Is this your dream job?
Ben Campbell: I am absolutely delighted to be appointed, it is a dream come true!
Media: You arrive at the club where as a replacement for Brendan Rogers, who was sacked last month. Do you think you'll be able to bring success here?
Ben Campbell: I really hope so! This club deserves success and everything is in place for me to make it happen.
Media: What are we going to expect from you in the transfer market? Are you a bargain hunter or are you one to splash the cash?
Ben Campbell: Either really. If I think the players good enough to spend money on then I will, but if I think there's a bargain to be won out there, then I'll go out and grab it!
A Swansea City representative jumps in and calls the press conference to a stop, with most of the question beings answered.
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