Sport

Best way to Championship success? Old-fashioned coaching, says Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman

By Scott Hunt

The financial situation of Championship clubs means that coaching young players is essential according to Bolton Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman.

The Trotters boss has recently brought young Cardiff forward Joe Mason in on loan as well as giving opportunities to the likes of Josh Vela and Robert Hall during his time at The Reebok.

Freedman thinks that the lack of funds available to clubs in English football’s second tier has brought about the return of dedicated, hands-on coaching methods.

“Good old fashioned coaching is going to come back in,” Freedman told a news conference last week.

“When I was younger I had the great privilege to be coached by Don Howe and Dave Sexton who taught me to play football.

“You know it’s come full circle. Championship clubs don’t have that money so you’ve got to get young players and you’ve got to coach them.

“That’s what the great thing is when working with Vela’s and Mason’s and people like that.”

Freedman spent just over £1million to bring Jermaine Beckford to Bolton in the summer and a little more to add Jay Spearing.

Apart from that, recent acquisitions at the Reebok have been in the form of loan players and Freedman says he wants to buy younger players on permanent deals.

The Bolton boss has no concerns about throwing young players into the first team and giving them an opportunity.

“Everybody knows that if you’re good enough you play for me at this football club,” the Scot said.

“The young players have got to be good enough though. I can’t just put them in for the sake of it.”

Image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.

For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.

Related Articles