Freebie Friday: Do good number two's make good number one's

A look at those who step up onto the managerial merry-go-round

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Does a good number 2 become a good number 1? If you’re wondering what I mean by that it’s in terms of coaches becoming managers. There are a lot of good assistant managers too who when it comes to stepping into the main job anywhere in the football world it just doesn’t work out.

It’s difficult to put your finger on why it happens, is it because the buck stops at their door for everything football related whereas being a coach or assistant manager you can be the confidante for players, other staff and different club personnel who don’t want to be going to the boss with their troubles or ideas, it’s a good sounding board.

Of course at non-league level sometimes the staff at a club isn’t as vast as you would find in the professional game, that in turn leads to more exposure that you wouldn’t necessarily get elsewhere.

Can it be just that simple step up really makes all the difference? I think it can be a huge change that despite some being around all the number it becomes a different story when it all rests on your shoulders alone.

Most at non-league level will be part time too, juggling the needs of a football club alongside a full time job and in a lot of cases family life too the balance is easily disrupted when a change is made despite the attractiveness at times.

Some though will be happy in their role and feel they are at the limit they feel comfortable with, the extra pressures maybe not what they want nor the added ‘bonuses’ of being prudent with the budget, putting on a session for the players is their bread and butter and where they feel at ease.

The jobs though don’t come around too often, there are plenty of out of work managers throughout the season and plenty who wouldn’t mind a crack at the job as well needing to start somewhere to get the all-important experience.

Is there always going to be that ‘what if’ when the vacancy goes and another doesn’t come up? I’ve seen a few step up at various levels and it has worked out for them, having seen Mark Beard step up from assistant at Dorking Wanderers to become number 1 at Eastbourne Borough this week is another I hope it works out for.

He has a very good background and no doubt a good size contact list, Dorking are likely to send one or two on loan there knowing they will be looked after. Time will tell how well he does in a very competitive National League South, and as the season progresses I’m sure we are likely to see the usual raft of managerial changes.

Have you got thoughts of similar as you read through from your own club or non-league football in general? Share your stories in the comments below.