That phrase is 'If your good enough, your old enough.', although it may be true to some extent with players, the likes of Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott would back that view up, however, is it the same with young managers?
A brief history of young managers would show that the majority are successful in their new career. The youngest ever manager to grace English football was Graham Taylor when he was appointed the new Lincoln City boss just aged 28 back in 1972.
More recently the likes of Eddie Howe (33), Lee Clarke (38), Karl Robinson (30) and Brendan Rodgers (38) have all had excellent seasons in charge of their respective clubs.
So what can be the problems facing young managers coming into the game? The biggest answer to that question seems to be experience. We often hear chairmen piping up that they want a man with experience in the Premiership or Championship, meaning we often see failing managers jump from one ship to another because they have had experience somewhere else, just look at Nottingham Forest where they have just appointed Former England flop Steve McLaren.
Another issue that sometimes appears is the fact that the managers are younger than the experienced players at the club, AVB will be the same age as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba this season, and that can sometimes cause fractions within the dressing room regarding selection.
Obviously Villas-Boas will be supported by Chelsea when it comes to buying players which means his Chelsea career should start off strongly, however should things start of badly then maybe Chelsea will decide that appointing the youngster could be a mistake.
I feel it's good for the game that bright upcoming managers are finally being given the chance to get the jobs rather than seeing the same old failing faces turning up at different jobs.
What do you think? Is your club managed by a young manager? Would you like to see you club go with a younger face or do you feel that the age of the 'gaffer' is not important and it's the team on the pitch that matters?
As always, let me know.
