INTERVIEW
It ’ s not something you can switch off from , I live and breathe football .”
“ The boss doesn ’ t have to be the big man at the top taking all the decisions . I let my coaches coach , let them get on with their job . If someone has a better idea than me , I ’ d be daft not to use it .
“ You have to be comfortable in your skin , be able to give people around you a voice and the opportunity to grow . Some coaches – though none here – are still bawling and shouting . You don ’ t have to do that , there are better ways of getting your message across .”
Tony has a set of standards and values that are important to him , and which shape his approach to management .
“ They aren ’ t standards I preach , but I do live by them . I like to think I set a good example through living these values . Obviously it ’ s up to others what they think of me , but I ’ m happy in myself ,” he said .
“ I ’ m working class , I ’ m not an intellectual but I do have a level of emotional intelligence that has helped me . I grew up on the streets and was taught to be respectful to everyone – I think my background and approach helps me to understand and empathise with the players , particularly the younger ones .”
The son of a British Steel scaffolder , Mowbray grew up in Redcar and left school at 16 , having done ‘ quite well ’ at his O-levels . He claims not to be a scholar , but despite his experience and reputation in the game , is still keen to learn .
“ I ’ ve worked with some good managers and I ’ ve picked up things from each of them ,” he said .
“ I also watch a lot of football , so learn things from say Jurgen Klopp ’ s ‘ full throttle ’ football . That ’ s not to say I try to copy Liverpool ’ s style of play , but you can still learn from watching their games .
“ I also listen to a lot of audio books and podcasts . While I was driving to and from Blackburn ( one of his former clubs ) I would listen to a lot of podcasts or books and I still do .
“ There ’ s so much great material to listen to and learn from . Over the past year or so I ’ ve probably listened to a 100 books , mostly about football , but also business and management books .
“ They ’ ve all got something to say , something to teach you . I ’ ve read books by Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola , but also by other sports leaders such as Sir Clive Woodward .”
As any business or sporting manager should do , he ’ s keen to get to know his players and what makes them tick .
“ When I first arrived here I spent time with each player individually – anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour ,” he revealed .
“ I think I can gauge people pretty quickly , so can work out what motivates them – who will fight to the death and those who won ’ t – and then you can work out how to manage them .
“ They ’ re all individuals and we develop IDPs ( Individual Development Plans ) for each footballer , so we and the player know what we ’ re working on to improve them .
“ As with any team , be it in business or sport , everyone needs to know what their role is and this is a big part of the coaching role . If everyone knows what they are doing and what their role is within their team , then it makes everything a lot easier .
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