Lessons from the masters

Photo: PICTURE by VINCENT BROWN

FACING THE CAMERAS: Paul Dickov poses for pictures after his appointment as Athletic’s manager on a 12-month rolling contract.

PAUL Dickov is going to draw on influences from his former club bosses as he takes his first steps into management.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City forward filled the Athletic hot-seat yesterday after penning a 12-month rolling contract at Boundary Park.

Having played under the likes of Joe Royle, Kevin Keegan and George Graham, he has vastly differing styles but also an abundance of football knowledge from which to choose.

Dickov said: “I have been lucky enough to play for some great managers over the years who are big figures in the game.

“They all had their own way of doing things. There were positives and negatives with them all because no-one is perfect.

“Sometimes you would sit there as a player and think ‘that was a stroke of genius’, other times you’d say to yourself ‘I would have handled that differently’, but they all had methods of motivation.”

Ex-Athletic boss Joe Royle, who led the club during its most successful spell of recent years, remains an important figure in the Scot’s life.

“Joe always knew how to get the best out of me — he was fantastic to work for.

“We have a brilliant friendship and he will always be someone I can speak to about anything.”

While it would be hard for anyone to mirror Royle’s success, Dickov can’t wait to make his own mark.

He said: “I am a very driven individual. I have wanted to have a go at management since I was in my early 20s and I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity.”



Dickov factfile

1972: Born in Livingston, Scotland.

1993: Scores his first goal for Arsenal in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, a result which helps keep Athletic up in the first season of the newly-formed Premier League.

1994: Wins the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup with the Gunners.

1996: Joins Manchester City in a deal thought to be worth around £1million.

1999: Ends the season with 16 goals, one of which is a famous equaliser five minutes into added time to draw City level against Gillingham in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

2001: Makes his Scotland debut as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw in Croatia.

2002: Moves to Leicester City for £150,000 and hits 20 goals in his second season to help the club get back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

2004: Joins Blackburn Rovers.

2006: Returns to Manchester City, signing a two-year contract.

2007: Has a spell on loan at Crystal Palace and later moves temporarily to Blackpool, then managed by his former Foxes team-mate Simon Grayson, scoring six times in 11 appearances.

2008: Signs a two-year contract with Leicester and helps the team claim the League One title.

2010: Joins Leeds in March on a short-term contract before being appointed as Athletic’s new player-manager for the following season.




Timeline



Thursday, May 6: Dave Penney is sacked as Athletic manager, with assistant Martin Gray taking over for the final game of the season against Charlton.

Friday, May 7: Striking legend Frank Bunn throws his name into the ring for the vacant role.

Saturday, May 8: Gray puts himself forward as a candidate following the 2-0 home defeat at Boundary Park.

Tuesday, May 11: Ex-Stockport County boss Jim Gannon is installed as the bookies’ early favourite to take over.

Tuesday, May 18: Athletic announce there is “a tremendous amount of interest” in the job.

Wednesday, May 26: The Chronicle breaks the story that Paul Dickov is a leading contender following his interview earlier in the week.

Thursday, May 27: Athletic reveal they have held 10 interviews at a secret location.

Tuesday, June 1: The club’s board meet to identify their chosen man.

Wednesday, June 2: Athletic reveal that an announcement on their new manager — revealed in the Chronicle to be Dickov — will wait until the following week due to a family holiday.

Friday, June 4: Chief executive Alan Hardy speaks about the new boss’s “excellent contacts” within the game.

Monday, June 7: Athletic call a press conference in two days’ time to announce their man.

Wednesday, June 9: Paul Dickov is unveiled as Athletic’s new boss, signing a 12-month contract as player-manager.