Post by Macmoish on Sept 5, 2010 14:25:51 GMT
"......Blackwell worked with Warnock as a player and a coach at Bramall Lane and might have taken over at QPR himself in 2009, only to see Sheffield United reject their advances for his services....
"This time last year I could have gone to Queens Park Rangers straight after the play-off final and the club turned it down.
"Neil rang me on two occasions and said: 'I've spoken to Flavio Briatore and they did want you to come here'.
Sky
Blackwell not bitter
Blackwell reflective after axe at Blades
Last updated: 5th September 2010
Kevin Blackwell says he bears no grudges after being sacked by Sheffield United last month.
Blackwell was axed after only two games of the Championship season, bringing an end to his two-and-a-half year tenure at the club which saw him lead the Blades to three successive top 10 finishes and the Championship play-off final in 2009.
Blackwell had seen a lot of players leave the club during this time in charge, but insists he does not feel bitter towards the board and has nothing but fond memories of his reign.
"I had a great time at Sheffield United," he told Goals on Sunday.
"I went there in 1999 with Neil [Warnock] and apart from the three years when I went to Leeds I had a great time there and I have no qualms about Sheffield United. You just know your career will start again somewhere else.
"My record at Sheffield United was nearly a 44 per cent win rate out of 160-odd games. If you can win nearly half your games you're going to be there or there abouts. In the three years we were never outside the top eight or nine.
"It is frustrating. I'd love to be able to keep a team together and be able to build from there.
"It was a surprise [to be sacked], but you don't dwell on the past, you move forward. I left a lot of good friends there and overall the directors and myself got on very well. It's their decision and you have to abide by it."
Ironic
Blackwell's final game in charge was a 3-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers and their manager Neil Warnock.
Blackwell worked with Warnock as a player and a coach at Bramall Lane and might have taken over at QPR himself in 2009, only to see Sheffield United reject their advances for his services.
And Blackwell felt it was ironic that it was a combination of Warnock and QPR that sealed his fate.
"It didn't help that it was Neil," Blackwell said.
"It's ironic. There's no doubt that Neil has had a big influence on my career playing-wise, coaching wise... and now getting the sack as well. He's done everything for me!
"This time last year I could have gone to Queens Park Rangers straight after the play-off final and the club turned it down.
"Neil rang me on two occasions and said: 'I've spoken to Flavio Briatore and they did want you to come here'.
"But I had a contract and I felt I should honour it at Sheffield United. That's why I stayed there. It's ironic that Neil takes the job on and has now got the money to move it forward.
"That happens in football."
Successor
Blackwell also discussed the appointment of Gary Speed, who was swiftly named as his successor at Sheffield United.
Speed had been working under Blackwell as a coach and Goals on Sunday presenter Chris Kamara asked Blackwell if he had been concerned that the Welshman was being lined up to take his job.
However, Blackwell said he always remained confident in his own abilities and had no qualms about Speed's role.
"I've got a lot of time for Speedo," Blackwell said.
"He's said great things and I'm one of the managers he's learned a lot from. If you put that in with Sir Bobby Robson and people like that, then that's an accolade.
"Speedo had a player and coaching contract and I was more than happy to honour it. I think he did a great job and I've got nothing but fond memories of working with the boys down there.
"I put it on record before, Speedo would definitely go on to manage, I knew that. But as a manager you either believe in what you're doing or you get a load of 'yes men' around you.
"Sometimes you need people around you who are going to give you a different insight and I was more than happy to do that. I've got the courage of my own convictions.
"I think my managerial record is as good as anybody's. I need a promotion on it and that would be complete for me."
www.skysports.com/tv_show/story/0,20144,12384_6359137,00.html
"This time last year I could have gone to Queens Park Rangers straight after the play-off final and the club turned it down.
"Neil rang me on two occasions and said: 'I've spoken to Flavio Briatore and they did want you to come here'.
Sky
Blackwell not bitter
Blackwell reflective after axe at Blades
Last updated: 5th September 2010
Kevin Blackwell says he bears no grudges after being sacked by Sheffield United last month.
Blackwell was axed after only two games of the Championship season, bringing an end to his two-and-a-half year tenure at the club which saw him lead the Blades to three successive top 10 finishes and the Championship play-off final in 2009.
Blackwell had seen a lot of players leave the club during this time in charge, but insists he does not feel bitter towards the board and has nothing but fond memories of his reign.
"I had a great time at Sheffield United," he told Goals on Sunday.
"I went there in 1999 with Neil [Warnock] and apart from the three years when I went to Leeds I had a great time there and I have no qualms about Sheffield United. You just know your career will start again somewhere else.
"My record at Sheffield United was nearly a 44 per cent win rate out of 160-odd games. If you can win nearly half your games you're going to be there or there abouts. In the three years we were never outside the top eight or nine.
"It is frustrating. I'd love to be able to keep a team together and be able to build from there.
"It was a surprise [to be sacked], but you don't dwell on the past, you move forward. I left a lot of good friends there and overall the directors and myself got on very well. It's their decision and you have to abide by it."
Ironic
Blackwell's final game in charge was a 3-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers and their manager Neil Warnock.
Blackwell worked with Warnock as a player and a coach at Bramall Lane and might have taken over at QPR himself in 2009, only to see Sheffield United reject their advances for his services.
And Blackwell felt it was ironic that it was a combination of Warnock and QPR that sealed his fate.
"It didn't help that it was Neil," Blackwell said.
"It's ironic. There's no doubt that Neil has had a big influence on my career playing-wise, coaching wise... and now getting the sack as well. He's done everything for me!
"This time last year I could have gone to Queens Park Rangers straight after the play-off final and the club turned it down.
"Neil rang me on two occasions and said: 'I've spoken to Flavio Briatore and they did want you to come here'.
"But I had a contract and I felt I should honour it at Sheffield United. That's why I stayed there. It's ironic that Neil takes the job on and has now got the money to move it forward.
"That happens in football."
Successor
Blackwell also discussed the appointment of Gary Speed, who was swiftly named as his successor at Sheffield United.
Speed had been working under Blackwell as a coach and Goals on Sunday presenter Chris Kamara asked Blackwell if he had been concerned that the Welshman was being lined up to take his job.
However, Blackwell said he always remained confident in his own abilities and had no qualms about Speed's role.
"I've got a lot of time for Speedo," Blackwell said.
"He's said great things and I'm one of the managers he's learned a lot from. If you put that in with Sir Bobby Robson and people like that, then that's an accolade.
"Speedo had a player and coaching contract and I was more than happy to honour it. I think he did a great job and I've got nothing but fond memories of working with the boys down there.
"I put it on record before, Speedo would definitely go on to manage, I knew that. But as a manager you either believe in what you're doing or you get a load of 'yes men' around you.
"Sometimes you need people around you who are going to give you a different insight and I was more than happy to do that. I've got the courage of my own convictions.
"I think my managerial record is as good as anybody's. I need a promotion on it and that would be complete for me."
www.skysports.com/tv_show/story/0,20144,12384_6359137,00.html
