Chapter 18:
22nd May, 2010
Wembley Stadium, London.
Here I was. Wembley. The whole season had led to this moment. I just stood there, in awe of the glory of the national stadium, where every manager dreamed to be at least once in their career. To lead their team out for a cup final, to go on to win it. This was ours. The final game of the 2009-10 season, the nPower Championship Play-off final. Derby County vs Blackpool. At 24 years old, I was the youngest manager ever to lead a team out at Wembley, either Old or New.
I walked back into the dressing room as the squad filtered in. Rob Hulse, our own, and the league’s, top scorer with 32 goals, my appointed captain Robbie Savage, for whom this game would be his last, and Kris Commons, the midfield maestro who had set up most of Rob’s goals, along with my own imports such as Chris Eagles, who had been in the year below me in United’s academy, and Nigel Reo-Coker from Villa, who, with Savage had formed a formidable partnership. I called the team over.
“We’ve earnt this, lads. We’ve got here, to Wembley, through hard work. Through determination. Through playing the opposition off the field. This is your chance to prove how good you are. The chance to take County back where we belong. Who would you rather be playing come September? Arsenal? Tottenham? Or would you rather be playing Norwich? Maybe Millwall? I know where we’d rather be come then. There are 40’000 fans out there supporting you, believing in you. Go out there, and let them dream!”
Smiles broke out all around, as we lined up in the tunnel. Ian Holloway stood next to me, and with an exchange of “good luck”, I followed my team out of the tunnel and onto the hallowed turf. The roar of 90’000 supporters, and a sea of white and tangerine overcame my senses as I took my seat in the dugout. Bit of a difference in quality from Pride Park, I thought to myself, as the teams kicked off.
Five minutes in, and both teams had come out, all guns blazing. Then, as Reo-Coker won the ball in the centre and sprayed it wide to Eagles, who ripped Eardley apart and whipped in a ball that could have graced a Champion’s League final. From 15 yards out, Hulse made a darting run from the edge of the box and met it with aplomb, and the ball rifled past Gilks in the Blackpool net. 1-0 within 5 minutes! By the 20th minute Blackpool were chasing shadows. My Derby team was playing the best football I’d seen them play all season. On the brink of half-time, Savage shifted through the centre, only to be brought down by Evatt. Commons stepped up, 25 yards from goal, and bent a perfect strike around the wall and into the top corner. 2-0 at half time, and the team were flying.
Soon after the restart we reinforced our hold on the trophy. Hulse broke through and unselfishly squared the ball for Eagles, returning the favour as he stroked the ball into the empty net. Even Gary Taylor-Fletcher finally beating Bywater to pull a goal back for the Seasiders didn’t spoil the party mood shared by both us and the Rams fans in the terraces. Still, at the back of my mind was the bittersweet fact that I wouldn’t be here come August. I’d accepted an offer from Sevilla to take over as their boss, on the basis that Derby were promoted. And, with the score at 3-1 with 5 more minutes to play, it seemed that Robbie’s last game would also be mine. As the final whistle blew, pronouncing Derby County’s return to the top flight, I leapt from the dugout to embrace victory. 48 games, and I could now be called the youngest ever manager to gain access to the top flight. As I left Wembley, my phone buzzed. 1 missed call, beginning with 34. Spanish.
I stood from my seat on the team bus to applause and cheers from the squad.
“Let me talk. I know you’re all buzzing from, what has to be said, your greatest 90 minutes played this season-“
More cheers.
“But, I have to announce something. I’d like to take this opportunity to, regretfully, step down as your coach. I’ve had a word with the chairman, and he encouraged me to take this opportunity. You’ve been a great team, and I wish you luck for the Premier League. I also want to be the one who introduces you to your new boss, one many of you have worked with, and knows the club. Robbie Savage.”
22nd May, 2010
Wembley Stadium, London.
Here I was. Wembley. The whole season had led to this moment. I just stood there, in awe of the glory of the national stadium, where every manager dreamed to be at least once in their career. To lead their team out for a cup final, to go on to win it. This was ours. The final game of the 2009-10 season, the nPower Championship Play-off final. Derby County vs Blackpool. At 24 years old, I was the youngest manager ever to lead a team out at Wembley, either Old or New.
I walked back into the dressing room as the squad filtered in. Rob Hulse, our own, and the league’s, top scorer with 32 goals, my appointed captain Robbie Savage, for whom this game would be his last, and Kris Commons, the midfield maestro who had set up most of Rob’s goals, along with my own imports such as Chris Eagles, who had been in the year below me in United’s academy, and Nigel Reo-Coker from Villa, who, with Savage had formed a formidable partnership. I called the team over.
“We’ve earnt this, lads. We’ve got here, to Wembley, through hard work. Through determination. Through playing the opposition off the field. This is your chance to prove how good you are. The chance to take County back where we belong. Who would you rather be playing come September? Arsenal? Tottenham? Or would you rather be playing Norwich? Maybe Millwall? I know where we’d rather be come then. There are 40’000 fans out there supporting you, believing in you. Go out there, and let them dream!”
Smiles broke out all around, as we lined up in the tunnel. Ian Holloway stood next to me, and with an exchange of “good luck”, I followed my team out of the tunnel and onto the hallowed turf. The roar of 90’000 supporters, and a sea of white and tangerine overcame my senses as I took my seat in the dugout. Bit of a difference in quality from Pride Park, I thought to myself, as the teams kicked off.
Five minutes in, and both teams had come out, all guns blazing. Then, as Reo-Coker won the ball in the centre and sprayed it wide to Eagles, who ripped Eardley apart and whipped in a ball that could have graced a Champion’s League final. From 15 yards out, Hulse made a darting run from the edge of the box and met it with aplomb, and the ball rifled past Gilks in the Blackpool net. 1-0 within 5 minutes! By the 20th minute Blackpool were chasing shadows. My Derby team was playing the best football I’d seen them play all season. On the brink of half-time, Savage shifted through the centre, only to be brought down by Evatt. Commons stepped up, 25 yards from goal, and bent a perfect strike around the wall and into the top corner. 2-0 at half time, and the team were flying.
Soon after the restart we reinforced our hold on the trophy. Hulse broke through and unselfishly squared the ball for Eagles, returning the favour as he stroked the ball into the empty net. Even Gary Taylor-Fletcher finally beating Bywater to pull a goal back for the Seasiders didn’t spoil the party mood shared by both us and the Rams fans in the terraces. Still, at the back of my mind was the bittersweet fact that I wouldn’t be here come August. I’d accepted an offer from Sevilla to take over as their boss, on the basis that Derby were promoted. And, with the score at 3-1 with 5 more minutes to play, it seemed that Robbie’s last game would also be mine. As the final whistle blew, pronouncing Derby County’s return to the top flight, I leapt from the dugout to embrace victory. 48 games, and I could now be called the youngest ever manager to gain access to the top flight. As I left Wembley, my phone buzzed. 1 missed call, beginning with 34. Spanish.
I stood from my seat on the team bus to applause and cheers from the squad.
“Let me talk. I know you’re all buzzing from, what has to be said, your greatest 90 minutes played this season-“
More cheers.
“But, I have to announce something. I’d like to take this opportunity to, regretfully, step down as your coach. I’ve had a word with the chairman, and he encouraged me to take this opportunity. You’ve been a great team, and I wish you luck for the Premier League. I also want to be the one who introduces you to your new boss, one many of you have worked with, and knows the club. Robbie Savage.”
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