In-depth interview with new Watford manager Malky Mackay (From Watford Observer)

In-depth interview with new Watford manager Malky Mackay

4:27pm Monday 15th June 2009 in

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New Watford manager Malky Mackay claims he is “here to lead” and says his players will give their “all for the cause”.

Mackay stated he was absolutely delighted to have been handed a three-year contract as Hornets’ boss and wants his squad to make a flying start from the first day of pre-season training.

In an interview with the club’s website, he said: “The fans will see the person that I am and that is the person I have been throughout my career.

“As I was when I was the captain of Queen’s Park and Norwich, I will be here to lead – along with the great staff that I’ll have around me.

“I want to breed the correct ethics and values – such as team spirit, honesty and a willingness to learn.

“I want the supporters to enjoy coming to see Watford play and the players will give their all for the cause.”

Most of the Watford players are off on their holidays at present but they return to training on Monday, June 29.

Mackay said: “We now have to look forward and make sure we get off to a flying start on day one of pre-season.

“The programme has already been written and the players will be ready and willing – and looking to improve our position.

“There will be a few new faces, a little bit of anticipation perhaps, but we’re all looking forward to the task ahead.”

Mackay joined Watford as a player in 2005 after spells with West Ham, Norwich, Celtic and Queens Park.

He became player-coach in January 2007 and was Reserve-team manager in November when he became interim boss following Aidy Boothroyd’s departure.

The Scot, who played five times for his country, won two and drew one of his five games as temporary manager before Brendan Rodgers was appointed.

Mackay said: “I took over as caretaker back in November and have experienced working with the youth and reserves. Now I’m stepping up and I’m ready to take that into the first team.

“It’s good that I’ve had a taste of what is to come. By the time I finished my caretaker role there was nothing that frightened me, I was more determined than ever and I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.

“The players were playing for me and if you lead players they want to follow.

“But it’s also a credit to the players and staff for their response during that difficult time for the club.”

Watford had a four-man selection committee to pick Rodgers’ replacement, consisting of chairman and vice chairman Jimmy and Vince Russo, chief executive Julian Winter and Watford legend and board member Graham Taylor.

The new board have stressed the importance of Watford returning to its ‘family club’ roots and that importance is not lost with Mackay.

He said: “When I came to Watford what struck me was how alike it was in terms of its community spirit and values to Norwich City.

“And speaking to Graham Taylor over the last few days that has hit home even more and how important that is to everyone at the club.

“The way the club embraces the community is superb, and myself, the staff and players have a role to play in that.

“The club wants to spread the badge across Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

“Our Academy is central to the club and the project at The Harefield School is incredible.

“The 12 to 16 year-olds at this club receive three times as much contact time as any other players in the country – that is an amazing statistic.

“That route to the first-team is there for them. Just 18 months ago Ross Jenkins was in the Academy as a scholar and it shows the youngsters that they aren’t a million miles away, you just need that belief.”

Mackay has made more than 400 appearances for his different clubs and has commanded around £6.5 million in transfer fees.

He has just completed his Certificate in Applied Management for Football at Warwick Business School, whose past graduates include Man City boss Mark Hughes and England Under-21’s Stuart Pearce.

He is four months away from completing his Uefa pro-licence course with the Scottish FA but believes he has enough experience to do the job.

He said: “I’ve worked under an array of managers during my career - so I have been lucky.

“Liam Brady at Celtic was someone who has played at the top level, while I learnt a lot from Tommy Burns.

“At Queen’s Park I learnt about discipline from Eddie Hunter and Frank Connor at Celtic had a big impact on me too.

“Wim Jansen, the Dutch coach, brought a host of new ideas that hadn’t been seen at that time. He was very technical and thought differently to everyone around at the time.

“Bruce Rioch brought me to England with Norwich and was a leader in his time. He had a certain approach to things and I liked his standards.

“While Alan Pardew at West Ham secured the club promotion and he handled the mentality of a big club, the fan-base and handling the different personalities.

“Then finally at Watford I’ve been lucky enough to work with two young managers.

“Aidy brought me here to Vicarage Road and his man-management skills were very good, while I’ll take plenty from Brendan’s work on the training ground during his time at the club.

“So all in all I’ve had a wide spectrum, in little ways, I’ve take something from all of them.

“You also obviously learn on the coaching courses and the people you meet.

“I was lucky enough to meet and later work with Dick Bate [former colleague at Watford].

“He has an incredible encyclopaedia of knowledge, so that is very pleasing and has stuck with me.”