A MAN of Kevin Phillips’ pedigree and with many years of experience wouldn’t be phased by any challenge in football. But the former Sunderland striker is taking his first steps into management with highly ambitious North-East side South Shields where he has been tasked with spearheading the clubs plans to climb the divisions into the EFL. While he understands it’s a gamble for himself and the club, he’s determined to make the opportunity count.
Phillips has made his desires to step into management no secret following his retirement from playing in 2014 at the age of 41. Coaching roles at Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City have whetted the appetite for a seat as the main man in the dugout. As a Sunderland club legend, he put his hat into the ring for the Black Cats job following the dismissal of former boss Phil Parkinson. Despite 235 appearances and 130 goals for the club, he didn’t get a look in.
Super Kev openly admits the calibre of manager on the current out of work merry-go-round would be hard to beat in an interview especially with zero experience of management.
However, he has no plans to treat South Shields as a stepping stone in his career and plans to be at the club for a long-term.
Under the stewardship of some of the best managers in the world of the years, he’s been quietly soaking things up and gathering information like a sponge.
“I worked it out the other day. I played under 22 or 23 managers and you’d be daft not to draw on experiences” said Phillips, now 48.
“I’m very conscious that I don’t want to copy managers because you have to have your own identity but why would I not draw on some of the managers that I’ve worked under and played under?
“I worked under Paul Clement at Derby for a good spell. I jotted down every session that we did, the same as when I went to Stoke. I worked under Steve McClaren, he was fantastic coach so I’m going to draw on everything there.
“Ultimately, nowadays for me it’s big in terms of putting sessions on and tactically being aware but man management nowadays is massive. Talking to players, getting to know them, making them feel good about themselves, getting to know what their family life is like and the players getting to now me as well.
“The big word for me as well is being able to adapt in game and out of game. Some managers are very stubborn. I could reel off a couple in the Premier League now that are dead stubborn. I just think you need to be able to adapt. Not give in but adapt in game and out of game.
“My thought process going forward is that I’m a big believer in respecting the opposition but not giving them too much respect. It’s about what we do and when I look at the squad, compared to other squads in this league, we’re right up there at the top. Teams should be worrying about us. That’s the way I’ll be approaching it.”
Phillips is already getting his hands dirty with the job. South Shields are a full-time outfit in the Northern Premier League and are ran to a near professional standard. He met his new players for the first-time on Wednesday in training. Expectations will be there right from the off as he takes his first game in management away to Warrington this Saturday. Third placed Shields sit two places above Warrington in the table.
He’s of the understanding he’ll have doubters but he feels he’s got more than enough experience to properly equip him for the job.
The former striker added: “Naturally, people are going to say that you’ve got no managerial experience. Of course I haven’t but I’ve managed to bring up a family, I’ve managed to look after my children which is hard. Anyone who has kids knows it’s hard work and now I’ve got 20 players, I’ve got to deal with staff and that’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to.
“Only time will tell if I’m successful or not but at least I’m going in with the right attitude. I’ll make the mistakes, we all do. But I think the key is you can’t keep making the same mistakes. I said to the lads last night, if you feel that I’m doing something wrong, tell me. Then we can get it sorted. I don’t want to keep doing something if it’s not right.
“It’s the same in any walk of life so that’s why I say it’s a slight gamble but from my experience of playing and being around 20 odd managers, it’s there to see. Man management is huge for me.”
Chairman Geoff Thompson said: “Any North-East football fan will know of Kevin whether your red and white or black and white.
“The reality is he’s got the most amazing background and experience and is a real icon in North-East football terms. In that respect, an obvious name. Yes, he’s had less managerial experience but he’s got great coaching experience so for me he was one of one on the list.
“I’m delighted that he’s here and it didn’t take a lot of convincing, all credit to Kevin. He’s very much prepared to roll his sleeves up on our quest to get out of this league and push further forward."
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