New Manly United coach says change had to happen

19 May 10 @ 04:47pm by Andrew Prentice

Craig Midgley has taken over from long-term servant Phil Moss as coach of Manly United. Picture: Simon Dean.

THREE years ago Craig Midgley took a punt.

A professional footballer from the moment he finished high school, the journeyman striker departed his native England, making a beeline for the northern beaches.

Midgley was enticed to the peninsula by Phil Moss, who felt he could offer his Manly United squad much-needed guile in front of goal.

After acquiring globally recognised coaching badges from the age of 21, Midgley also spotted an avenue for life after his playing career.

His calculated gamble paid off this week when he was announced as Moss’s replacement as head coach at Cromer Park.

“It is a fantastic opportunity that I am very excited about,” he said on Wednesday.

“Football has been my life for the past 20 years, I don’t know anything else.

“Things haven’t gone as planned this year, it is great to now be in a position to change things.”

Midgley is bemused at why things have gone pear-shaped in 2010, but is convinced the playing roster is much better than where the club finds itself after 12 rounds.

“To be honest I felt the change had to come, I think it will be good for the players,” he said.

“A club like this shouldn’t be anywhere near the bottom of the league.

“My job now is to tinker a few things and get the lads playing like everyone knows they can.”

One of Midgley’s biggest challenges will be distancing himself as “one of the boys” .

The first to admit he “loves a bit of banter”, the 33-year-old will now be barking instructions from the dugout and agonising over team sheets and injuries.

It is a role Midgley is relishing.

“The boys know I won’t be running a dictatorship, we will still have a laugh when the time is right,” he said.

“Everyone has been absolutely buzzing at training this week and I have been delighted to hear everyone say they are up for the challenges that await.

“We just need to roll our sleeves up and start playing good football.”


http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/new-manly-united-coach-says-change-had-to-happen/