IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
GUS POYET SUNDERLAND
abroad, at Real Zaragoza, was a very different experience, not least because Spanish culture was not dissimilar to what he was used to in Uruguay. He also feels that prior experience in France helped and, when he later came to play in England with even more experience under his belt, the transition was easier still. “I know from these personal
experiences the impact that moving from overseas can have on a player and why players need a period of adjustment before they can start to perform at their best,” says Poyet. “That’s why we pay a lot of attention to the transition of players from overseas to Sunderland, particularly the young ones.”
Put to the test Poyet’s first foray into management came at Swindon, where he worked as assistant manager to Dennis Wise and then later with Juande Ramos at Tottenham Hotspur. For someone who likes to observe
and learn it was, he says, the perfect preparation for management. “Dennis Wise and Juande Ramos are also very different in character, so it gave me the opportunity to see how people deal with situations in different ways and how the players respond to that,” says Poyet. Acting as assistant manager also confirmed that the top job was something he wanted to pursue. When that opportunity came, at
Brighton in 2009, he made an instant impact, earning the club promotion during his first season in charge and winning LMA League One Manager of the Year in the process. After four years with the club, Poyet moved to Sunderland, where his presence has been no less felt, taking the side to the final of the Capital One Cup and winning a fierce relegation battle to keep Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League. Faced with a battle of survival at the
foot of the table, the mental resilience of both leader and team are tested to the limit, but rather than choke under the pressure Sunderland found another gear. In their last five games Sunderland pulled off victories against Manchester United, Chelsea, Cardiff and West Bromwich Albion. “It was very important that I emphasised to the players how
16 JANUARY 2015
CAREER TIMELINE: JULY 2006 Became assistant manager to Swindon Town boss Dennis Wise while still playing for the club. OCTOBER 2006 When Dennis Wise was given the manager’s job at Leeds United, Poyet followed him. OCTOBER 2007 Poyet moved to his former club Tottenham Hotspur to become assistant to Juande Ramos. In his first season there, the club beat Chelsea to win the League Cup. NOVEMBER 2009 Announced as the new manager of Brighton and Hove Albion. MAY 2011 Poyet was voted LMA League One Manager of the Year for his achievements in the 2010/11 season, during which Brighton achieved a run of eight straight league victories and promotion to the Championship. AUGUST 2011 In recognition of a great 2011/12 season, Poyet was named Championship manager of the month. OCTOBER 2013 Appointed manager of Sunderland. In his first season in charge, Poyet’s side defeated Manchester United to reach the final of the Capital One Cup. MAY 2014 Poyet led Sunderland to a 2-0 win at home to West Bromwich Albion, guaranteeing the club’s spot in the Barclays Premier League and seeing Poyet shortlisted for the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Year award.
marginal the difference between winning and losing had been in the previous four or five games,” he says. “It had been down to just one action,
one decision, one miss or one own goal. I needed them to share my confidence that our fortunes would change sooner rather than later, although I had expected it to do so sooner than it did,
with only six games remaining.” When things did start to come
together for the side, it was confirmation to Poyet that they were on the right track. “We kept our resolve, the belief in the training ground never faltered and eventually it all clicked,” he says. “It’s all well and good having beliefs as a manager, but you also have to prove that you are right. During my time in management I’ve also been proving to myself that my methods work.”
Fair play How your team play, though, is always dependent on the players in your side, says Poyet. “When you join a club midway through the season like I did at Sunderland you first have to adapt to them,” he says. “Then, slowly, you bring them around to your way of thinking. I have a clearly defined philosophy - built around the idea that the ball is precious and the most important part of the game - but my ideas are not black and white or rigid. I have respect for the different styles of play and methods that other managers adopt.” His own methods include what
some past players have described as a kind and honest approach to his team, always letting players know why a decision has been made and where they stand. He also has a good relationship with his players, creating a healthy divide between what happens inside and outside the training ground and never allowing an atmosphere or grudge to linger too long. He also understands the importance of team unity and of every individual believing in their own crucial role in its success. “To compete in the Barclays Premier League you need every one of your players to be convinced that every position is important, not just the ones who score the winning goal or save a penalty,” he says. “Players need to buy into the idea that they can’t dip in and out when they feel like it; there must be unity right from pre-season training through to the end. We must all show honesty, respect and responsibility at all times.” Given that he exhibits these qualities in spades, Poyet certainly leads by example.
*Published in the LMA’s The Manager magazine October 2014.
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