Blackburn Rovers Blog: Managerial success is never guaranteed

9:06am Thursday 1st November 2012 in Football Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

IS there any such thing as a ‘sure thing’ when it comes to appointing a football manager?

Henning Berg’s arrival in the Ewood Park hot seat is already being seen by many as a big gamble and they are probably right. What isn’t though?

Ian Holloway, Bernd Schuster and Harry Redknapp were all names that had big support from sections of supporters in Rovers’ farcical managerial hunt over the past month.

These were experienced managers who would guarantee promotion according to some. Leicester City fans might have a different opinion about Holloway, Southampton supporters would question the talents of Redknapp, while the Besiktas faithful would not touch Schuster again.

Yes, all three have had major successes in their management life but they have also had big failures. What’s to guarantee these would be more successful than Berg?

The ‘experience argument’ is understandable. After all, Rovers’ last appointment was a managerial novice and it spectacularly failed. Once bitten and twice shy.

Had Rovers brought in someone completely inexperienced in the world of management, like previous targets Billy McKinlay and Tim Sherwood, you could perhaps understand the cynicism a little bit more.

They haven’t though. They have appointed someone with six years of management behind him, not forgetting his legendary status as a player at both Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United.

Berg is no mug. He enjoyed success in his first managerial job at Lyn, and started encouragingly enough when he moved on to Lillestrom in August 2008.

His Lillestrom adventure event-ually finished badly and he was sacked in 2011 after a shocking run of results and he has since spent his time as a pundit on Norwegian TV.

I have no idea if Berg will be a success at Ewood Park. Just like I would have had no idea if Holloway would have been success, or Schuster or Redknapp. Any appoin-tment is a gamble.

Owners Venky’s have finally made their decision, after a month of dithering, procrastination and farce, and all any of us can do is hope he proves to be the right man for this football club.

I’m sure all Rovers fans will give the man who was a key figure in helping the club win the Premier League title a warm welcome, anything else would be sheer madness.

More importantly than the fans giving him a chance is the owners giving him the tools to succeed.

I don’t mean loads of cash, that is the last thing I mean given the club’s perilous financial situation.

I mean providing their manager with a solid platform behind the scenes. To let him make his own decisions, sign his own players and have complete autonomy over all footballing decisions.

If Berg fails, Venky’s have to make sure it is because of his own mistakes, not because of theirs.

Comments (13)

9:26am Thu 1 Nov 12

NickH1982 says...

looking forward to hopefully a new start. could be a breath of fresh air.
looking forward to hopefully a new start. could be a breath of fresh air. NickH1982

9:28am Thu 1 Nov 12

blazerafe says...

I think its understandable for some of us to be skeptical because of this appointment, however i believe that Berg deserves our full backing, not every manager with a great record is good at a new club (e.g Hughes at QPR, City, Fulham, Ince with us) so surely the same can be said about managers who's record is not the best especially a manager coming for a foreign country. Now we have a new manager we need to back him until the cows come home, i hated Kean and i wanted him out but i didnt start to slate the manager until 6 months into his reign, because i believed he deserved a chance. Berg was a legend for us and in some ways still is, we need to stop the booing, stop the heckling to our players and coach's (Hendry for example) and get back behind the team If you dont like what is happening still then that's fine, each to his own but to continue on the way we have will destroy our club and prove all the people who have consistently mocked and questioned our Kean treatment, right. Today is the start of a new era for Blackburn, in time we shall find out if for better or for worse.
I think its understandable for some of us to be skeptical because of this appointment, however i believe that Berg deserves our full backing, not every manager with a great record is good at a new club (e.g Hughes at QPR, City, Fulham, Ince with us) so surely the same can be said about managers who's record is not the best especially a manager coming for a foreign country. Now we have a new manager we need to back him until the cows come home, i hated Kean and i wanted him out but i didnt start to slate the manager until 6 months into his reign, because i believed he deserved a chance. Berg was a legend for us and in some ways still is, we need to stop the booing, stop the heckling to our players and coach's (Hendry for example) and get back behind the team If you dont like what is happening still then that's fine, each to his own but to continue on the way we have will destroy our club and prove all the people who have consistently mocked and questioned our Kean treatment, right. Today is the start of a new era for Blackburn, in time we shall find out if for better or for worse. blazerafe

10:13am Thu 1 Nov 12

Steve BB2 says...

I for one think that this is positive and as other have said, Henning needs to be given the full backing of supporters, at this time.
Whilst I appreciate that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I can have no time for those who call for his removal before the team have even kick a ball under his leadership.
As for calling, yet again, for a boycott, what do people think they are going to achieve? Apart from further division within the club.
Things have been bad for the last 2 years, but why not put a line under the past and move on. Get behind our new manager and the team, and lets see how things progress for the rest of the season.
Maybe this appointment is not to everyones liking, but the guy has a heart for this club, so lets welcome him back.
Those who cannot accept it, for me, can stay away.
Good Luck to Henning and lets aim to be top of the championship for christmas !!
I for one think that this is positive and as other have said, Henning needs to be given the full backing of supporters, at this time. Whilst I appreciate that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I can have no time for those who call for his removal before the team have even kick a ball under his leadership. As for calling, yet again, for a boycott, what do people think they are going to achieve? Apart from further division within the club. Things have been bad for the last 2 years, but why not put a line under the past and move on. Get behind our new manager and the team, and lets see how things progress for the rest of the season. Maybe this appointment is not to everyones liking, but the guy has a heart for this club, so lets welcome him back. Those who cannot accept it, for me, can stay away. Good Luck to Henning and lets aim to be top of the championship for christmas !! Steve BB2

10:22am Thu 1 Nov 12

Dublin rover says...

A ture pro as a player all ways gave the fans and press time. I hope the fans get behind him. Its the best club and job in world. classic club founder members of the football league in England. Any time I'm over I get a special feeling going into the ground. Best of luck with it mr Berg . I hope you keep black on with you.
A ture pro as a player all ways gave the fans and press time. I hope the fans get behind him. Its the best club and job in world. classic club founder members of the football league in England. Any time I'm over I get a special feeling going into the ground. Best of luck with it mr Berg . I hope you keep black on with you. Dublin rover

10:38am Thu 1 Nov 12

davemal says...

I just hope he gets to do his job without too much nterference from Shebby Singh or Venkeys or I can see him walking. Having said that let's get behind him and the team.
I just hope he gets to do his job without too much nterference from Shebby Singh or Venkeys or I can see him walking. Having said that let's get behind him and the team. davemal

12:34pm Thu 1 Nov 12

BRFC0808 says...

Cant wait for january !!!!!
Cant wait for january !!!!! BRFC0808

1:27pm Thu 1 Nov 12

A Darener says...

BRFC0808 wrote:
Cant wait for january !!!!!
Why what happens in January?
[quote][p][bold]BRFC0808[/bold] wrote: Cant wait for january !!!!![/p][/quote]Why what happens in January? A Darener

2:29pm Thu 1 Nov 12

tugaycomeback says...

He's got my support.
He's got my support. tugaycomeback

3:42pm Thu 1 Nov 12

srvp28 says...

ronnie clayton wrote:
blazerafe wrote:
I think its understandable for some of us to be skeptical because of this appointment, however i believe that Berg deserves our full backing, not every manager with a great record is good at a new club (e.g Hughes at QPR, City, Fulham, Ince with us) so surely the same can be said about managers who's record is not the best especially a manager coming for a foreign country. Now we have a new manager we need to back him until the cows come home, i hated Kean and i wanted him out but i didnt start to slate the manager until 6 months into his reign, because i believed he deserved a chance. Berg was a legend for us and in some ways still is, we need to stop the booing, stop the heckling to our players and coach's (Hendry for example) and get back behind the team If you dont like what is happening still then that's fine, each to his own but to continue on the way we have will destroy our club and prove all the people who have consistently mocked and questioned our Kean treatment, right. Today is the start of a new era for Blackburn, in time we shall find out if for better or for worse.
NO today is "NOT" the start of a new era , Berg might be the new manager , but we still have Hendry a swindler a robber of old peoples life savings a man who gave his girlfriend a hiding ,and because of her screams his next door neighbour`s had to call the police into get him off her and he was handcuffed and locked up over last Saturday night until his expensive barrister came in and got him out of jail the following night.

No when the thug goes we can start afresh.
I'm sorry but you need to change the record. We've all visited www.colinhendrylies.
com so we all know what has happened. However, the matter has been dealt with from a legal standpoint and the club has opted to hire him.

It's getting boring watching you try to quash valid comments based solely on your vitriol for one man who has as much input into tactics and team selection as the groundsman does.

I understand where you're coming from but repeating yourself on here isn't going to change anything. Have you contacted the club with your concerns?
[quote][p][bold]ronnie clayton[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]blazerafe[/bold] wrote: I think its understandable for some of us to be skeptical because of this appointment, however i believe that Berg deserves our full backing, not every manager with a great record is good at a new club (e.g Hughes at QPR, City, Fulham, Ince with us) so surely the same can be said about managers who's record is not the best especially a manager coming for a foreign country. Now we have a new manager we need to back him until the cows come home, i hated Kean and i wanted him out but i didnt start to slate the manager until 6 months into his reign, because i believed he deserved a chance. Berg was a legend for us and in some ways still is, we need to stop the booing, stop the heckling to our players and coach's (Hendry for example) and get back behind the team If you dont like what is happening still then that's fine, each to his own but to continue on the way we have will destroy our club and prove all the people who have consistently mocked and questioned our Kean treatment, right. Today is the start of a new era for Blackburn, in time we shall find out if for better or for worse.[/p][/quote]NO today is "NOT" the start of a new era , Berg might be the new manager , but we still have Hendry a swindler a robber of old peoples life savings a man who gave his girlfriend a hiding ,and because of her screams his next door neighbour`s had to call the police into get him off her and he was handcuffed and locked up over last Saturday night until his expensive barrister came in and got him out of jail the following night. No when the thug goes we can start afresh.[/p][/quote]I'm sorry but you need to change the record. We've all visited www.colinhendrylies. com so we all know what has happened. However, the matter has been dealt with from a legal standpoint and the club has opted to hire him. It's getting boring watching you try to quash valid comments based solely on your vitriol for one man who has as much input into tactics and team selection as the groundsman does. I understand where you're coming from but repeating yourself on here isn't going to change anything. Have you contacted the club with your concerns? srvp28

3:46pm Thu 1 Nov 12

jogalot says...

Henning Berg deserves all the backing we can give him. He has been great for Rovers and an outstanding player at the top level, so if he doesn't know football, nobody does. He must have learnt something from managing in Norway, he's intelligent, so if he really has full control of footballing matters at Rovers, it's a golden opportunity for him and Rovers and all of us.

I will trust him to decide which staff he keeps and which he gets rid of. I will be very interested to see what he does. But the main thing is that Rovers perform on the field and it is great news that he builds his teams on a solid defence. That's really refreshing. I'm hoping for great things but it will take time. I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart, unlike Kean who only cared about himself.

Come on Berg! Come on Rovers!
Henning Berg deserves all the backing we can give him. He has been great for Rovers and an outstanding player at the top level, so if he doesn't know football, nobody does. He must have learnt something from managing in Norway, he's intelligent, so if he really has full control of footballing matters at Rovers, it's a golden opportunity for him and Rovers and all of us. I will trust him to decide which staff he keeps and which he gets rid of. I will be very interested to see what he does. But the main thing is that Rovers perform on the field and it is great news that he builds his teams on a solid defence. That's really refreshing. I'm hoping for great things but it will take time. I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart, unlike Kean who only cared about himself. Come on Berg! Come on Rovers! jogalot

4:27pm Thu 1 Nov 12

Shane says...

jogalot wrote:
Henning Berg deserves all the backing we can give him. He has been great for Rovers and an outstanding player at the top level, so if he doesn't know football, nobody does. He must have learnt something from managing in Norway, he's intelligent, so if he really has full control of footballing matters at Rovers, it's a golden opportunity for him and Rovers and all of us.

I will trust him to decide which staff he keeps and which he gets rid of. I will be very interested to see what he does. But the main thing is that Rovers perform on the field and it is great news that he builds his teams on a solid defence. That's really refreshing. I'm hoping for great things but it will take time. I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart, unlike Kean who only cared about himself.

Come on Berg! Come on Rovers!
" I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart"

Very generous of you. But what happens after he starts losing a few games, do the banners and the "Berg Out" chants start?

Good luck Henning, you will need it
[quote][p][bold]jogalot[/bold] wrote: Henning Berg deserves all the backing we can give him. He has been great for Rovers and an outstanding player at the top level, so if he doesn't know football, nobody does. He must have learnt something from managing in Norway, he's intelligent, so if he really has full control of footballing matters at Rovers, it's a golden opportunity for him and Rovers and all of us. I will trust him to decide which staff he keeps and which he gets rid of. I will be very interested to see what he does. But the main thing is that Rovers perform on the field and it is great news that he builds his teams on a solid defence. That's really refreshing. I'm hoping for great things but it will take time. I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart, unlike Kean who only cared about himself. Come on Berg! Come on Rovers![/p][/quote]" I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart" Very generous of you. But what happens after he starts losing a few games, do the banners and the "Berg Out" chants start? Good luck Henning, you will need it Shane

5:01pm Thu 1 Nov 12

jogalot says...

Shane wrote:
jogalot wrote:
Henning Berg deserves all the backing we can give him. He has been great for Rovers and an outstanding player at the top level, so if he doesn't know football, nobody does. He must have learnt something from managing in Norway, he's intelligent, so if he really has full control of footballing matters at Rovers, it's a golden opportunity for him and Rovers and all of us.

I will trust him to decide which staff he keeps and which he gets rid of. I will be very interested to see what he does. But the main thing is that Rovers perform on the field and it is great news that he builds his teams on a solid defence. That's really refreshing. I'm hoping for great things but it will take time. I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart, unlike Kean who only cared about himself.

Come on Berg! Come on Rovers!
" I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart"

Very generous of you. But what happens after he starts losing a few games, do the banners and the "Berg Out" chants start?

Good luck Henning, you will need it
Even if Rovers don't gain promotion, only play average this season, and even if we don't improve much next season, I will not be chanting Berg Out or displaying banners, although I will no doubt be grumbling and wondering wtf is going on. Berg is very blue and white and will do the best he can for the club. I hope he will impress us all with his words as well as his actions and build some faith amongst the fans. We've had it rough and deserve better, so some discontent will no doubt linger for months to come. I think most supporters will give him a fair chance though. He's earned it, unlike Kean, Black and others.
[quote][p][bold]Shane[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]jogalot[/bold] wrote: Henning Berg deserves all the backing we can give him. He has been great for Rovers and an outstanding player at the top level, so if he doesn't know football, nobody does. He must have learnt something from managing in Norway, he's intelligent, so if he really has full control of footballing matters at Rovers, it's a golden opportunity for him and Rovers and all of us. I will trust him to decide which staff he keeps and which he gets rid of. I will be very interested to see what he does. But the main thing is that Rovers perform on the field and it is great news that he builds his teams on a solid defence. That's really refreshing. I'm hoping for great things but it will take time. I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart, unlike Kean who only cared about himself. Come on Berg! Come on Rovers![/p][/quote]" I will give him at least as long as Kean had because Berg has the welfare of the club at heart" Very generous of you. But what happens after he starts losing a few games, do the banners and the "Berg Out" chants start? Good luck Henning, you will need it[/p][/quote]Even if Rovers don't gain promotion, only play average this season, and even if we don't improve much next season, I will not be chanting Berg Out or displaying banners, although I will no doubt be grumbling and wondering wtf is going on. Berg is very blue and white and will do the best he can for the club. I hope he will impress us all with his words as well as his actions and build some faith amongst the fans. We've had it rough and deserve better, so some discontent will no doubt linger for months to come. I think most supporters will give him a fair chance though. He's earned it, unlike Kean, Black and others. jogalot

11:17pm Thu 1 Nov 12

gokaps says...

Club officials seem to have done their job by appointing a decent manager. What really made it seem like a farce were all the reports linking the club with big names like schuster, which were all just speculations and wore the fans down. Even if these were not just speculations, I would see them as club trying to evaluate all the possible options. So, the hiring process, even if long and testing, didn't seem so negative as you make it out to be. Is it just to appease the fans that hate the club, owners and officials? If so, bad reporting IMO that creates a negative atmosphere.
Club officials seem to have done their job by appointing a decent manager. What really made it seem like a farce were all the reports linking the club with big names like schuster, which were all just speculations and wore the fans down. Even if these were not just speculations, I would see them as club trying to evaluate all the possible options. So, the hiring process, even if long and testing, didn't seem so negative as you make it out to be. Is it just to appease the fans that hate the club, owners and officials? If so, bad reporting IMO that creates a negative atmosphere. gokaps

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