Spotted this online in the Independant the other day, quite a good and frank interview with Aidy. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/p...ig-thing--im-10-times-better-now-7675941.html Few nice quotes in there about his time with us, and how it looks like he's matured a lot now as a manager. "I was the next big thing, the next Mourinho, future England manager and all that nonsense," he recalls, "but I'm 10 times the manager now than I was then. I was into everything cutting edge, sports science, you name it. I went to everything. Once at Watford I even found myself attending a stewards meeting. I sat there thinking, 'What am I doing here?' I know it's been discussed lots on here (and probably should no longer be in the 'General Watford' section!) but i think most of us look at Aidy fondly now, unlike some more recent managers. I personally won't forget 3 nil in Cardiff in a hurry. Somehow I can't help but think we'll see him again at Watford in the future.
Sorry but how can he possibly be 10x better now than he was with us? His managerial record is hardly impressive since he was sacked.
I don't think you're really grasping the nuances of the sentence in question. He's saying he used to tout himself as 'the next big thing', etc etc. but now he's learned from his time, realised you don't have to be big-headed/arrogant, and he's grown from learning that.
Oh ok. I found his refusal to appoint an assistant manager whilst he was here unbelievably arrogant though. I hope he's learnt from that too.
Exactly. He recognises he made mistakes that he wont replecate. Being positive is something I look for in a manager, he took it too far sometimes. He out perfomed his ability at that time, perhaps given another chance at a bigger club than Northampton in a couple of years time he can have a more rounded approach.
Always liked him. Sure, his stubbornness over some things was frustrating, but he also gave us one of the greatest seasons in our history. Granted, it all seemed to fall apart, but I can forgive that. Hope he continues to have success with Northampton.
From the same interview I thought this was funny: The ego is still there, but with a self-deprecating awareness. He recalls: "I was having lunch in Watford the other day, and this fellow comes over and says 'Excuse me, is it Aidy Boothroyd?' and I'm thinking 'Here we go, another fan who wants to talk about the FA Cup semi-finals, getting promoted and all that'. I said 'Yeah, yeah', and the bloke said 'You've just left your card in the machine'. My mate laughed himself silly
Read it last week, decent read. I think such quick success really went to his head, and reading between the lines it's clear that he thought he was the dogs back then. I'm sure he'll end up in the Championship again one day. I, for the record, wouldn't have him back. I wouldn't want him to ruin his legacy - i.e being only the second manager to take us to the PL - before some nob says 'leaving us in financial trouble and with Nathan Ellington on £25k a week.'
This 'success' being taking over a team 20th in the division and moving them up to 19th..... Personally, I hope he gets hit by a taxi before he destroys any more football clubs
That's it then , Dyche out Aidy in. Why would he be having lunch in Watford , could of had lunch in Northampton.
The way he is talking, next season he should get Northampton promotion with the record points and record number of goals for the Division. That is of course assuming that he doesn't get poached in January by Mr Ambramovich!
But thats the attitude that got us promoted. Get enough people to buy into the dream inspire them that they can make the dream come true. A lot of posters are now saying buy a couple of players and a loanee or two and we will be up the league no probs. Expectation can create as many problems as dreams. But its football Oscar, lets be wigan, chelsea, newcastle lets dare to dream, at least til 5 oclock on the first day of the season! Throw the dice - it might be us.......
I honestly wonder what Keith Burkinshaw thinks of him. It all really fell apart man management wise when Keith left.
I was walking out of a pub near the Hertfordshire/Essex border several months ago and bumped into KB walking his dog. I chatted to him about his time at Watford and when I asked him about Aidy his comment was "Let's put it this way...we don't swap Christmas cards" We were told at the time that he left because of a poorly relative but that was clearly bollox - there must have been a huge falling out and there was only room for one go in that relationship. Great shame as I think another season in the Prem would have been assured with a few greyer hairs aiding Boothroyd at that time Mind you.....I didn't ask KB on his opinion of Simpson & Ashton, discretion may have prevented a true answer but that would have been an interesting response!
I've been toying with the idea of trying to get an interview with KB. We have always stuck to just former players and managers before but KB could be a good one to get hold of.
I was told it was a falling out between KB and Hoofroyd from a very trustworthy source/sauce when it happened at the time. I posted this information back on the old 'fishal website forum and got laughed at. I wonder what other 'incidents' from that era were swept under the carpet between Hoofroyd and certain 'characters' :dismay::naughty:
I think you should do it LBH - would be a very interesting interview. Malky was obviously a player, but I think its fair to say people see him more as a manager than that, so i'd go for it!
I'd love to read that. Honestly, as long as the interview is with someone who has something interesting to say about Watford, I don't see any reason you guys should limit yourselves to player and managers. Anyone with a good story to tell would be a welcome read!
KB got on fine with Simpson, he was a guest in the directors box for one of GS last home games againstQPR. I find the whole Boothroyd obsession funny, if he is really 10 times better then he quite simply was lucky with us as managing in the bottom division isn't exactly showing progression for him. Time will tell but he has a long way to prove me wrong. I would say all three managers we have had since will prove to have better careers.
