- 2 years ago
Woking FC's new manager Michael Doyle talks about the past, present and future in his first major interview (December 22, 2023) since being appointed to the Laithwaite Community Stadium hot seat. Video by Woking FC.
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00:00 Well, Michael Doyle, welcome. Doyler, as everyone seems to call you in football. Welcome to Warrick. It's great to have you here.
00:07 Yeah, thanks very much. Delighted to be here. It's a great opportunity for myself and Ben, who's come in with me.
00:14 It's brilliant to have him on board with me as well. We've worked together before, so I'm thankful I'm able to bring him in.
00:21 I think seeing the benefits of having him here already, I've enjoyed it. Getting amongst the lads right away has been brilliant.
00:27 It's a great opportunity for myself now, head coach, manager's job. It's a brilliant opportunity.
00:34 I just want to talk a bit about your career first before we get on to management. I think I've got this right.
00:40 You've been with eight clubs, started at Celtic, finished at Notts County, playing.
00:45 866 appearances, captain for 15 of those years. Eight of the last 10 years you've been captain, got into the playoffs for promotion.
00:57 It's a good stint as a player, isn't it? You must be proud of that.
01:01 Yeah, it was brilliant. I loved my time playing and what I planned to do with the coaching.
01:07 I put everything into it. I was very dedicated to what I did. I enjoyed it.
01:12 I think that's what made me go into coaching. You get a taste of the playoffs and things like that when I was playing.
01:18 It becomes a bit of a drug, a bit of success and that's what you want to be involved in.
01:23 Certainly going into coaching, I really enjoyed the coaching side of football.
01:29 Getting amongst players, management, getting around players and building relationships with them.
01:34 I'd love to be successful as a coach or manager. I've been very fortunate.
01:39 I went into Notts County with Ian Bertinall as his assistant. We got to the playoffs a couple of times.
01:44 We were unfortunate, but we came up a bit sharp. It's brilliant to experience it so early in your coaching career.
01:50 Just describe yourself as a player to us. Firstly, you must have been quite lucky to get all those appearances.
02:00 You must have been quite lucky with interest for a midfielder.
02:03 I'd say lucky, but at the same time, probably what I want to build here is a bit of steel.
02:08 I think if you ask the lads early, they've probably enjoyed the training, but it's been quite tough for them.
02:14 That's the one thing I said when I came in with me and Ben. We had a discussion before we came in.
02:20 The big thing for us was we were going to work hard, we were going to graft and work hard.
02:26 We were going to enjoy what we were doing. We want to be a good footballing team.
02:30 We certainly want to be a fit team and a strong team and quite resilient.
02:33 I'd say that's what I was as a player. I made a career for myself out of being a hard worker and making the most of every opportunity.
02:41 That's what I want to see in the players I'm going to coach.
02:44 I picked up an article. You might know what's coming. I don't know.
02:49 Jamal Lowe wrote an article talking about playing in the same team as you.
02:54 Virtually everyone I know who's known anything of you says, and I think you touched on it, you're ultra-competitive.
02:59 He described you as strong, loud and hard tackling, but always on his case to raise his standards.
03:07 He even said he was a bit like Roy Keane. Does that sum you up?
03:13 I've got to be honest, as a player and as a coach, I'd say I'm very different.
03:17 I was very demanding as a player. I was very demanding and determined. I wanted to win.
03:23 Again, going into coaching, nothing similar. I try and encourage the players. I want them to express themselves.
03:30 That's one thing I've said the last couple of days with what we've tried to do in training.
03:34 I want them to go and express themselves. They all look like they're good players.
03:37 Go and express yourselves. Of course, we want to win, but if we're going to lose, let's go out playing the way we want to play on the front foot,
03:45 trying to attack and being competitive. That's what I said. If we're going to lose, let's lose the right way.
03:50 Moving into management, I think you pointed out that you were always thinking of going into coaching and management for a long time.
04:00 Yes, certainly the coaching really enjoyed me. It was brilliant. I was down at Portsmouth recently, walking into the academy there.
04:08 It was absolutely brilliant. I'm very thankful to all the people down there, all the coaches who really helped me from the first team.
04:14 I got a chance to be around them. They're an absolutely brilliant environment. The group of coaches that they had there was really open-eyed.
04:24 The type of environment you want to create if you're going to be a coach, that was brilliant.
04:28 Then the academy staff as well and the players were absolutely brilliant there. Very thankful.
04:33 Obviously, I had a bit of history at the club playing there. It was brilliant to go back there and to coach and get the opportunity to go back there in a coaching capacity.
04:42 But, in regards to management, you never know when you're going to go in. I anticipated it being a couple of years down the line, coaching three or four years.
04:54 It's been great and I'm really enjoying it and looking forward to it. Everything's an opportunity.
04:59 I imagine, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's an adjustment isn't it? Going from playing, I suppose, in a sense you're in control of your own performance, but you can also be on the pitch making a difference.
05:13 When you're a manager, you're sort of on the touchline. Is that an adjustment?
05:19 I'm used to it now from being an assistant to a coach. You work with the players all week.
05:24 Saturday is what you're judged on. It's as simple as that as a player and a coach. I'm judging the players on a Saturday.
05:30 Obviously, in the training and in the week you're judging them, but it's the same for a coach. You're judged on a Saturday.
05:36 It's certainly different once it comes to three o'clock on a Saturday. It's out of my hands, but all you can do is try and encourage the players and try and have them as well prepared as possible.
05:45 In terms of management, it looks like a very strong management team. We already know Ian Dyer who's been here for a number of years, Scott Cuthbert who's been a great player for us, just moving into a bit of coaching.
05:58 Marlon Beresford who's a very experienced goalkeeper, who's a goalkeeper coach. The person we don't really know much about is Ben Turner.
06:04 Tell us a bit about Ben and what he brings and why you work so closely together.
06:11 Basically, when I was at Coventry as a player, I was a few years older than Ben, but Ben broke through through the academy.
06:18 I had a relationship with him from a young lad. It only feels like yesterday when he made his debut.
06:25 I was playing and we actually played Man United away at Old Trafford and he made his debut. We went to the Nail of the Air and it was a brilliant night league cup game.
06:33 I've always had a good relationship with Ben, but in playing when you go your separate ways, you lose touch.
06:41 We got back, I was at Notts County and Ben came to Notts County and we built up a strong relationship again.
06:48 We'd always seen each other and it was pleasant to see each other, but we built up a strong relationship again.
06:55 I went into the coach and Ben went part-time playing and he took over as a coach at Ilkeston and did really well.
07:02 He made a big impact there when he took over as a coach. He was an assistant coach and they were struggling. He made a big impact there when he came in.
07:09 When we went to Forest Green as coach, we looked for another coach and Ian had mentioned Ben.
07:14 We got him down and he came down and he was absolutely brilliant around the players.
07:18 He was a good coach and he knows what we want him to do. He's very diligent and he's on top of it.
07:25 As I said, I think he'll be brilliant around what we've already got. I think he's really added to the group already.
07:31 I think the players are enjoying working with him as well, which is amazing. They like what he's doing.
07:36 Again, as a coach, he's very similar to myself. He had a great career and he knows what he wants from people.
07:44 We're very much the same. We think the same and want the same things.
07:48 What we want to see in a team that represents us.
07:50 Brilliant. That's brilliant. What did you know about Woking before applying and getting the job?
07:59 What have you learned about the club since? What was it about Woking that was attractive?
08:04 Obviously, last year, we had a fantastic season being around the playoffs.
08:08 I played here a few times as a player and coached and it was always a good place to come and play.
08:14 They're always up near enough, up around the top end of the table, since they've come up to Conference and kind of fell away.
08:20 There's definitely a club that wants to kick on and do better than they are at the minute.
08:25 I think they've shown that over the last number of years.
08:28 I think it's a brilliant opportunity for anybody to get the job here.
08:32 One, it's a great club and two, I think it's a brilliant opportunity to try and get in the Football League eventually, hopefully.
08:39 In terms of playing style, do you have a preferred formation and style or is it horses for courses for games?
08:49 Of course, I think the formation I'd like to play and things like that.
08:54 Sometimes you've got to walk to the players that you have.
08:58 Obviously, it's coming up into a big month in January. I'm not saying there's going to be loads of changes and loads of new faces in.
09:04 We're certainly walking and looking to try and be flexible.
09:08 The lads have played the same way for the last year and this year.
09:12 Little tweaks at the minute, nothing major and it takes time.
09:16 Hopefully, over time, people will see what we want to do and how we're going to do it.
09:21 I think it's important we start getting results and climbing up the table, which will make changing things a lot easier.
09:28 Whereas, when you're down at the minute, too much change, you start confusing people and it's not going away.
09:34 It's important that we get ahead of steam and try and get some results and start climbing up the table.
09:40 You probably hinted at that, but in terms of coming in, what would you say your main priorities are over the next few weeks?
09:48 What will you be focusing on?
09:51 Just, certainly, since the minute I've come in, just focusing on telling the lads what I'm about, what I want, what I expect and how we're going to do it.
09:58 We've had two days now on the training pitch. I think the lads, as I say, have enjoyed it.
10:03 They've worked hard. I don't know if it's different. I haven't really asked what they've done before.
10:08 Just what I want to do. As I say, we keep building on what we're doing.
10:12 I think we'll be on the right track. But, as I say again, it's about Saturdays at three o'clock.
10:16 It's the most important thing.
10:18 Obviously, I suppose at any level, recruitment is key. At the moment, who knows?
10:27 But in the long term, how do you think recruitment will work? Not in the immediate, but in terms of strengthening and improving?
10:37 Yes, that's something we're looking at now at the minute.
10:40 Obviously, we've come in and January is just a few days away. We know we've got people there.
10:46 We've a big squad at the minute. Everybody is available, bar two players.
10:50 We've a big squad, so we've got to assess things quick and make quick decisions.
10:54 We want to try and bring some people in as well. I don't think it'll be massive changes, if I'm honest with you.
11:00 Unfortunately for us, we've got to make some quick decisions.
11:03 Everybody's training really hard. I've said that to the players today. Don't judge yourself and probably Ben.
11:10 We're the new ones in on three training sessions where everybody's training great.
11:15 I think if you're not in that first squad or two that you're out of, it's not the case.
11:19 We're having to make decisions pretty quick.
11:22 Last week, the lads went and put on a good performance at Dorkin.
11:25 It's certainly changed things a little bit.
11:28 All of us have seen players that you think are not featuring and then suddenly they hit a golden spell.
11:37 It can change very quickly, can't it?
11:39 Yes, of course. As I say, being a player myself, when a new manager comes in, it's an opportunity for everybody.
11:44 Sometimes, players fail to roll off from previous managers or age-aims.
11:49 When someone new comes in fresh, you want to impress and make an impression.
11:54 So far, to be fair, everybody's started doing that.
11:58 In this league, you're only allowed five subs, so it makes the selection a lot harder.
12:03 Yes, five subs. The games are ten minutes longer now, aren't they?
12:06 Yes, exactly. It's never easy at this level.
12:11 Hopefully, down the road, you can get to seven subs. It'll be great.
12:17 You mentioned a little bit in the stuff when you were appointed about the community.
12:23 That's not the focus now, I'm sure, but in terms of the club being involved in the community,
12:29 maybe the players and things, what might that look like for you?
12:32 Yes, I think it's important. With the clubs I've played for, we've always been quite big in the community,
12:39 with Coventry and Portsmouth and things like that.
12:41 It makes a massive difference going out to schools and hospitals at Christmas and things like that.
12:47 I think it's important, especially for the football club to keep growing and growing the fan base as well.
12:52 I think the more you do in the community, the more people will be engaged towards coming back to the club.
12:57 I think it's important we put down a lot of strong… I don't know what the routes are like, but building strong routes.
13:02 This is the local football club and they support us, first and foremost.
13:07 Yes, brilliant. Thank you.
13:09 I'm sure probably all you're thinking about is Maidenhead on Saturday, but Christmas is looming.
13:18 Just off football, Christmas is always strange for footballers, isn't it?
13:24 What will Christmas Day look like for your family?
13:28 Yes, again, it's the same as everybody else really.
13:33 Again, in football, you can tell on the roads and things at the minute.
13:37 A lot of people have finished up and joined their Christmas holidays already.
13:41 As footballers, we go right through.
13:44 We'll still do a little bit on Christmas Day, the lads will at home and things like that.
13:49 We've had a chat to them today about being as professional as possible, doing it right,
13:55 and demanding from each other in the group, making sure it shouldn't come from me,
13:59 and Ian and Ben and people like that. It comes from the group.
14:02 I think it means more to players.
14:04 Certainly for me, with young kids and a young family, Christmas is a big thing in our house.
14:08 I always loved Christmas growing up.
14:11 Even when I played, I loved Christmas.
14:14 It was always a great time of year, even for football.
14:17 It's absolutely brilliant.
14:19 I think football and Christmas come hand in hand in Boxing Day games and things like that.
14:23 You probably know what a place like it is in England, the way they play through and all the games.
14:28 It's brilliant. You get big crowds.
14:30 Obviously, with the games we have as well over the Christmas period, it's absolutely brilliant.
14:35 The fixtures you want, big crowds, local derbies, absolutely perfect.
14:40 I'll enjoy my Christmas and my dinner, but certainly one eye will be looking towards Boxing Day as well.
14:46 Boxing Day, New Year's Day. New Year's Day down here, obviously, will be bouncing.
14:49 But that's for the future. Finally, Saturday, Maidenhead.
14:53 What are your thoughts on that game?
14:55 Yes, I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait, especially with the first game being here.
14:58 The lads are getting a bit of a bounce last week after the disappointment down in Weston-super-Mare.
15:04 They put on a good performance down at Dorkin.
15:08 Coming here now on Saturday, playing at home against Maidenhead, my first game.
15:13 Probably one of the form teams in the league at the minute, Maidenhead.
15:16 I think they've won four out of the last six and drawn two.
15:19 It's always a tough game at Maidenhead.
15:21 Really good side, good individuals that can really hold you.
15:24 It's important we focus on ourselves, but respect them as well and we're ready for the challenge that's ahead.
15:30 Brilliant. Thanks, Michael. It's great to meet you.
15:34 I'm sure there'll be a really good crowd here on Saturday and everyone will be behind you, behind the boys.
15:40 It's a new era and we can't wait for it to get started. Great to meet you.
15:44 Thanks very much. Looking forward to it. Thank you.
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