Greater Western Sydney Coach Kevin Sheedy will meet up with veteran Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson this month and pick the brains of Britain’s most successful football manager.
Sheedy will sit down with Ferguson two days after watching the English Premier League (EPL) derby clash with champions Manchester City on December 10, and said he’ll be asking the Scot about how he revived United’s fortunes when he took on the job in 1986.
United had not won the league since 1967 when Ferguson took over but, under his management, have enjoyed unprecedented success, claiming 12 Premier League titles, two European Cups, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
Sheedy, who won four premierships with Essendon in a 26-year spell, is heading to northern England for one of the biggest games in the EPL season with GWS Giants’ CEO David Matthews.
And he hopes one day his fledgling club and the Sydney Swans will have a similar rivalry to City and United.
“I think, in the end, if we can get something like that with the Sydney Swans and the mighty Giants in New South Wales, Sydney and Canberra – that’s what we’re after,” Sheedy said on Tuesday.
The 64-year-old said he would be looking into what was the spirit behind Ferguson’s success.
“I know that Matt Busby was there before him, but there was a lull and he had to build the Man United club up again from where it was,” he said.
“That journey will be a fantastic learning experience for myself and my manager.
“He’s 70, so he inspires me. I might have another five years, you never know old fellow.”
Brewski
Roar Rookie
From time to time over the years Canberra grammar has had junior teams in the local league, but good to see again. Marist and St Edmunds boys schools lead the way for private school teams, and have had clubs for many years now.
TW
Guest
Some more good news about our games progress in Rugby Union Territory - It may have a long term infuence on the Giants with their recruiting locally. We are talking about a Rugby Union nursery in Canberra which has opened the door ajar slightly for young students who want to have a crack at Aussie Rules after one of their ranks was picked up by GWS. A very innovative scheme has been arranged to allow this to happen with everybody talking co-existence PUBLICLY at least. Link to interesting article ------ http://www.canberratimes.com.au/afl/afl-news/australian-rules-makes-mark-on-grammar-20121205-2aw7v.html
Mango Jack
Guest
He's nothing if not interesting, Sheeds. Not all his ideas work, but he never stops thinking and trying to improve. You have to admire that.
TW
Guest
What the article does not mention is that Sheeds is also going to visit The South East London Giants, who play in the AFL London Comp This is not surprising beacause he has come up with several innovative ideas for the international game. The Anzac Day game in Wellington next year is one of his original suggestions. The SELG is one of several international clubs who have adopted the Giants colours and Jumper design and are fortunate to be co-sponsored by the GWS. Some more Giants news -- They will not go for Tippett in next weeks draft - The asking price is too high. Their membership has reached 5,000 which was the target before Dec 25.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
Maybe he has, and maybe he hasn't changed his opinion, but maybe he is more interested in the man management, training regimens, injury prevention and cure and club professionalism that the top soccer clubs may offer.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Would that be the same Kevin Sheedy who once asked why anyone would go to a football match to see a score of "0–0, or 1–0, or 1–1", when you could instead watch an International Rules game instead? It looks as though he's changed his opinion of the world game now that a free trip to Old Trafford and an offer of sharing a bottle of red with SAF and Mancini has been offered!