What formation and style of play do you implement and why? Would it work with our current squad? Would you mould your style of play to what your squad can perform to or do make your squad mould to fit your style of play? :
Formation that I would use is a very attacking 4-3-3 and the style of play would be most possession based however would ensure that the ball was in the opposition's half rather than our own. I would suggest that early stages given Yogi's style of play the transition shouldn't be to difficult to adapt. If I was installed as manager then I would keep current style of play until end of the season and then build a squad to fit around a squad of players.
How big a squad do you have and what is the breakdown of this squad in numbers for each position?
Not very large squad but equally not a slim squad too. The focus should always be to bring in quality over quantity to have a good squad of players. Breakdown on our budget: 2 GKs, 2 RB, 3 CB, 2 LB, 4 CM, 4 Attackers = Squad of 17.
Do you build the team around one player?
No, no team should be built around one player.
Do you promote from within and bring youth through? Are you in a position to do so or is it forced upon you for a number of reasons?
For obvious reasons promoting youths should be the way forward in such cases as Ryan Christie and Liam Polworth. The other side of the coin is that younger players aren't ready for the bigger stage. If Youth Coaches highly recommend a youth player and I watched him and thought would make a difference, certainly would have no qualms in using.
Where do you recruit from? Who are your contacts? Can you afford who you are looking for? Do you build around a necleus of players and supplement with loan signings then recruit slowly to bolster already recruited talent that you can keep?
Mostly British based players through the english leagues but one thing at Caley Thistle I would suggest is to try and invest in a scouting network, since Terry Butchers' departure, the lack of preparation when it comes to signing has stuck out like a sore thumb. My contacts, well like I say, would rely on a scouting team should the board got one in place. The type of players that I would be looking for would be promising players that are possibly peaked their level in that league and looking for the next step of their careers. In recent seasons, players have definitely been able to showcase their talent and secure some decent moves. For me it would be all about signing the right player whether that be from the out of contract market to the loan market. Loan players then have the opportunity to then develop their own game for their parent club or help their chances with a permanent contract with us. I noticed Liam Henderson of Hibs bossed our game at the TCS a few weeks back and he's only an 18 year old boy, definitely worth taking an example of that.
Who do you bring in on the playing staff? Specifically of all those players who you would be able to attract name some you would bring in?
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly who would join the club. My first port of call would be to sort out the squad, streamline it and rid of players who wouldn't fit in my plans - Build from scratch and get the right replacements in. The area I would start at would be the out of contract players as they will always be first in demand given the fact there's no transfer fee. Me personally, would look at Faissal El Bahktaoui of Dunfermline as an example would sign him up pronto. I would also look at the loan market from various youth academies wether that may be Celtic, Aberdeen, Rangers - there would be some gems in there!
What training techniques do you install? Who do you bring in as your backroom team or do you stick with who we have? Do you run the training yourself and have your coaches oversee it or do you let them have free-rein to work within your perameters? Or do you have a mix of both?
Ideally I would firstly like to start the pre season with most of the squad I want signed up however I would start fitness based. Given the break of 4 weeks is a long time for a football player, fitness levels need to be top especially using possession and high tempo football. My backroom staff would include: Me as manager, Assistant: Scott Kellacher, First Team Coach: Richie Foran, Under 20: Duncan Shearer. I would have a mix of both myself and also other coaches to be involved. Their input in training would be just as important as the manager because an egotistical manager won't get very far.
What do you concentrate most on, cups or the league? Why? Do you have a preference or can you afford to concentrate on all?
Taking into account of our finances and also our capabilities. I would say the we should always aim for Top 6 however would settle for 7th/8th. Positions like 10th/11th/ and obviously 12th would make my job untenable. The minimum requirement for the Caley Thistle job is to ensure that we remain in the premier division each season.
How do you juggle your budget? Do you focus on signing free transfers and use any money you have on wages or do you try and buy with the little money you have one or two players on a smaller wage?
Depending on the budget allocated for transfers, ideally yes I would utilise both free transfers and loans. Should a player become available within the budget who would greatly improve our team then I wouldn't hesitate in signing. Need to keep in our morals of 'live within our means'
Do you insist on having the running of everything football related or do you ask for help in the form of a Director of Football?
Depends on two facts how my experience in the game is and wether the club could afford it. If I can manage solo, I would but wouldn't begrudge getting help if needed.
Do you ask for more input on less football related matters? Do you insist on being involved in deciding the budgets and what would be the main focus on your budgets?
As Football Manager, I would expect to have input in what money should be available to the playing staff and transfer, however I would be fully accommodating the fact that finances will be what it is unless we achieve success on a consistent basis to get the higher revenue into the coffers.
Youth teams/development league level, do you oversee this yourself or bring in a team to focus on this and have them coach their way with their tactics/formations or do you insist they stick to your style of play and tactics in the hope it helps younger players step up quicker/easier and integrate better?
I would put my trust in the coaching team to help nourish the younger guys to get them ready for the step up with regards to training and matches.I would be watching the games and would give coaches input should they need them during games. Ideally the tactics and formations used in the first team should be used at the development league to make the transition between the teams much easier.
Do you rotate your youth between first team and youth training to help development? Do you have first team players mentor youth players on football and/or non-football related matters?
Definitely, should a youth player be recommended and impresses me in the development league then they would then be training with the first team with a view to be playing in the first team. Its imperative that a youth player is welcomed in the team so that he's not alienated and prone to not playing to his potential.
At what point do you decide who you want to keep at the club and when do you initiate contract talks? Do you decide early and set out your stall with very little scope to diverse and change or do you let things progress and see what happens?
I would do it in two stages, if a player is out of contract for the following season and I wanted him to be in the squad for the following season then I would give him a deadline of signing with the club by the 31st of December. Should the player reject the offer, the offer would then be withdrawn and then would seek for the replacement early doors, so that we as a club are not being left with a gaping hole in the team (Graeme Shinnie and Marley Watkins this season)
