Paul Lambert’s sacking has left the English top flight without a Scottish manager for the first time in over 30 years.
But it would shock the life out of me if we have to wait even ONE year before the next one comes along.
The reason? Our knowledge and our passion.
I’ll get shot down for saying this by my English friends and colleagues, but we’ve far more feeling for the game than they do.
That’s what sets us apart, and it’s the factor that has driven Scottish gaffers to become the very best in the world since time immemorial.
Matt Busby. Bill Shankly. Alex Ferguson. Need I go on?
That has always been recognised by the top clubs in England and Lambert’s sacking won’t change anything.
After all, Paul found himself in a near-impossible position at Villa. He had a hell of a tough job to do.
His remit was to keep the club competitive in the Premier League, but whilst slashing wages.
Ask any manager who has tried to operate under similar constraints and they’ll tell you, it’s incredibly difficult.
Yet, as far as Villa owner Randy Lerner was concerned, for two years Paul met his targets. Back in September, he was even handed a contract extension until 2018.
Opinions can change quickly in football, though, and now he’s out of a job.
All it takes these days is a few people to start asking questions and a manager can be quickly undermined.
In Lambert’s case, those questions would have been about the lack of goals.
Why, when the team are struggling so badly in front of goal, was Christian Benteke stuck on the bench? And why was Darren Bent sent on loan to Derby?
The truth is that it’s hard to make a case for Paul in that respect.
Yes, things off the park were stacked against him. On the park, he simply didn’t help himself.
But while Lambert’s departure has left the Premier League a Scot-free zone, it won’t be long until the next batch of top gaffers arrive.
Dundee United’s Jackie McNamara, for me, seems destined to manage at the very top.
But Aberdeen’s Derek McInnes will probably beat him to it.
What those two possess is what has made Scottish bosses great for years knowledge and passion.
They have always been our selling points. They still are.
And for as long as clubs in England are striving for success, they will look north of the border for the men to lead them there.
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