Despite it usually taking several months before jobs start becoming available, I had an interview offer within a day of going on holiday. I quickly realised that the Nordic leagues start much earlier in the calendar year and play through the Summer months to make the most of the daylight hours, and so of course they were already nearing the end of their seasons by this point.
The club in question was Gällivare Malmbergets FF, playing in the Swedish Division 2 North league. As with most clubs at this level, they are Semi-Professional with only a Local reputation but a quick glance at the squad and there were some obvious issues. A very small squad of just 18 players, plus a significant shortage of defenders and wide midfielders, had central midfielders filling the vacant positions. Despite the obvious opportunity to rebuild the team, the absence of financial backing was clear to see and I knew this challenge would be one too far for me. I politely declined the interview and returned to my holiday.
The next interview offer took a week and a half to come in, this time from Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat or KTP for short, playing in the Finnish First Division. Unlike Gällivare, KTP had a large squad which usually means there’s opportunity to sell and save on wages, plus the players were of a much higher value and the club had some money too. I completed the interview, committing to watching the finances and to signing young players for the first team, a philosophy that both the board and I were keen on. The job seemed too good to be true for my first manger role so I wasn’t overly optimistic about getting it. While I waited on their decision, I carried on with my holiday.
Another two days and three interview offers came in from the Swedish Division 2. IFK Uddevalla in the North league, Nosaby IF in the East league and then Newroz FC in the South league. All three clubs were in the relegation zone of their respective leagues but a quick assessment of their club stature and potential and only Nosaby IF gave me any sense of appeal. In particular, they hadn’t ventured far up the league structure having only been formed in 1956 and so I attended the interview, which went well, and now I await my fate.
I’m still hoping for KTP but Nosaby IF will still be an interesting prospect. It took another week before KTP confirmed they had gone in another direction, and another few days before Nosaby IF came in with a job offer on an 18-month contract. I accepted the offer and by 12:02pm on 3rd August it had reached the local press. I have my first job in football management.