Previously I set out my procedure for appointing an assistant manager at FC Saxan:
- Search for the following attributes: judging ability; tactical knowledge; man management; and working with youngsters.
- Check the personality.
- Check the overall approach to the game.
- Check that the determination and discipline attributes are not too bad.
- Check they can contribute to at least one of the following areas of coaching: defence; attack; and shooting.
Here, in the event, is what I came up with:
In the light of the above procedure, I’d assess Iurie as ‘not too bad at anything he’ll be required to do’.
I’m pleased about two things:
- he’s good at working with youngsters, which I’m not;
- he’s not wedded to particular ways of playing (playing style, mixed) and he’s adaptable, so he’ll probably adapt to however I want us to play.
His preferred marking style is ‘mixed’, which particularly suits me as I’m likely to use zonal marking for defending corners and man-marking elsewhere.
I can’t get really enthusiastic about bringing him in but realistically he’s the best option now. I tell the press how excited I am, whilst silently thinking, ‘It’s a one-year contract’.
All about compromises.
