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McCarthy: Sorry for Swearing But Otherwise No Regrets Regarding Post-Burton Comments
Monday, 30th Oct 2017 15:03

Town boss Mick McCarthy apologised for his use of bad language during Saturday’s controversial post-match press conference at Burton, but had no regrets regarding his overall message. McCarthy told fans wanting his departure that he’s going nowhere until at the summer at the earliest and warned them to be careful what they wish for with a switch of boss unlikely to change the resources made available to whoever is in charge at Portman Road.

Despite beating the Brewers 2-1 via Bersant Celina’s brilliant penultimate-minute freekick, McCarthy’s press conference at the Pirelli Stadium was a spiky affair, large sections of the Blues’ support having chanted abuse at their side’s manager for long spells during the game.

Asked what he feels his relationship with Town fans is like, McCarthy said: “I think with the vast majority of them it’s pretty good, actually. But there are a fair vocal few and I don’t think I’m ever going to change that now, that’s [always] going to be the case.

“All I’ll do is continue to do my best. Whatever is said, and that’s always been the case, that never changes with me. I come in here, get the lads going, get myself going and we’ll continue to try and win games.”

Would they ever force him to depart or owner Marcus Evans to sack him? “No, no chance. Whatever I do will be of my own volition, as I said [last week], unless somebody decides differently and was to sack me. I don’t see that coming.

“I think we’re two points out of the top six at the moment, so I think there’d be a few who would swap places with us at the minute.”

The press conference was a negative way to end what ought to have been a positive afternoon for Town, who came from a goal down to claim all three points having lost their previous three matches.

“And it appears I’ve offended one or two,” McCarthy continued. “Strange that, isn’t it? How sensitive people can be. I can stand there and listen to it for pretty much 90 minutes.

“My job is to manage the team, to coach the team, me and TC, and get points and results, and that’s just what I did and what I’ll continue to do.”

Does he regret what he said? “Apparently I’ve upset somebody by swearing. If that’s the case, then that’s right, I shouldn’t have used bad language and if they’re that sensitive and the ones that shout at me, I’ve upset them, then I apologise for that.


“But I won’t apologise for my comments. There’s a big difference. I shouldn’t have dropped the little swearwords in there, I thoroughly apologise to the sensitive people I’ve upset by swearing and anybody that doesn’t, so that’s fine.

“But in terms of what I said, not a chance I regret what I said. I meant every single word of it.”

Asked whether he is always going to be a manager who divides opinion, he added: “It’s funny, I didn’t split people down the middle when we finished sixth, did I? Not really. It’s funny how my comments split people down the middle.

“You [the media] got what I felt on Saturday and if people don’t like me, unlucky. If they do, well great. If they don’t that’s me, that’s just how I felt.

“I could come in and put a nice wooden press conference on if you like, smile at you all. You get what you see and if you like it, great. If you don’t, I’m not really bothered.

“And I doubt that’s going to change at this stage. It’s been like that all through my career. Shall I just come on and be pretty saccharine sweet? That’s not going to happen, is it?”

He added: “There’s only one way [for me to change fans’ views]. I’ve told you that since I walked through the door five years ago when I first met you. And my opinion on that’s not changed.

“If we hadn’t got results in my first season I’d have been on my pedaller, you’d have been talking to somebody else now. It’s always, always about results. And I’ll continue to try and get them.”

What about style? In the summer there was much talk about a change to a more possession-based game, is that still the aim? “When we won five games I didn’t hear one little word of it, to be honest. We’re having a tough time. Wouldn’t it be nice to have that support then?

“What saddened me is the reaction. Seriously, saying it to me, singing it to me, all the stuff. I came off on Saturday and I hadn’t enjoyed one bit of it, only the result. I didn’t enjoy the game, I didn’t enjoy the performance, just the goals, the result and the fact that we won the game.

“All that shouting at me, it isn’t going to drive me out. But it’ll affect the players. Eventually it will affect the team.

“And they might get their wish in May and they’ll have somebody else and you know what, be careful what they wish for as well, by the way, because I don’t know whether they think if I’ve gone suddenly there’s going to be an injection of 20 million quid to the new manager, who is going to spend it all and they’re going to run up the league and get promoted.

“Somebody might come in and do a whole better job. Sincerely, if I’ve gone, good luck to them, let them crack on with it. But you’re going to be getting me, that’s it.”

Did the players say anything to him about the crowd's chanting towards him on Saturday? “No, not at all. They’re all playing for me and for TC and for the club, and for each other. But it will not help. That will not help, it’s not going to help the players at all, we need that support.

“I think you’ll find if you spoke to Santie, Bersant, despite the fact that he scored the goal on Saturday and he celebrated with the fans, he celebrated with the fans because he appreciates the support they’re giving him.

“But he’s with us, he wants to be part of a team that’s successful and we’re not fractured between us and the fans. He wants to be in a successful team.”

Despite the fractiousness of the weekend, McCarthy celebrates five years in charge of the Blues on Wednesday and says he has “enjoyed every single minute of it”.

Having led both Sunderland and Wolves to promotion from the Championship, why does he believe it’s been tougher to reach the Premier League with Town? “Teams that go up tend to come down with a chunk of money and there’s a fair gap between what the top teams have spent and the players that they have, the squads that they have, so that’s probably made it a bit more difficult.

“It’s changed over the years since I won the league, certainly with Sunderland, and with Wolves.

“But it’s not easy just to bounce back and do it. Sunderland are struggling now, they’re in the bottom three, Wolves have been in League One. It’s not always easy to manage a club that’s got expectations.”

Can he achieve promotion with the Blues, does he have to tools and the finance to be able to do it? “I will continue to do my very best.”

McCarthy laughed off suggestions that his position at Town will be his last in football: “You’re having a laugh, aren’t you? Not a chance is it my last job. It might be my last season here, but it’s not going to be my last job, no. I want more of it, no doubt.”

He says he’s as hungry as ever: “For sure, yes. I don’t want to be here and being ordinary, I want to be successful and hopefully get promoted again. I’d like to be in the Premier League, have another chance at that. And I don’t see why that shouldn’t happen.”

Does his wife or children ever suggest that it might be time to bring his 25-year plus management career to a close, that at 58 he doesn’t need the hassle?

“I keep doing it so I don’t go home and annoy them for the rest of my life!” he joked.


Photo: Action Images



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ricardo55555 added 15:16 - Oct 30
He's a prick hacking off the fans again in this interview especially what he said on the channel 5 interview when he said "the fans chanting made me not want to sub on Celina"
In other words admitting to putting his stubborn ego above the best substitution for the team.

DINO OUT

0

StringerBell added 15:19 - Oct 30
You should apologise for being an prehistoric, tactically inept, dinosaur. The swearing just reinforces what we all know - that you have no class and don't care about the club that pays your (considerable) wages. What a disgrace.
0

jabberjackson added 15:20 - Oct 30
There is absolutely no excuse for stating that Bersant Celina has got less chance of playing a part in a game, because the fans are showing their support for the player during the game

For him to suggest this is absolutely unforgiveable, intransigent, stubborn and arrogant

I don't really give a monkey's about this swearing, he only lets himself down by doing this, but I really do care that as fans, we are being told to keep our opinions to ourself

It's our club, not his, he will be gone soon...leaving but a sour taste in our mouth and a few unsavoury memories
Please let this be sooner than later

21

Wickets added 15:21 - Oct 30
Apology accepted.
11

Kirtonspanner added 15:21 - Oct 30
McCarthy out!!
8

Woodbridgian added 15:32 - Oct 30
If McCarthys plan is to P off the fans to such an extent that Evans has no alternative but to get rid of him, then his plan is working perfectly. I however suspect he's just a foul mouthed classless oaf!
8

OwainG1992 added 15:35 - Oct 30
Fair enough. I get where he is coming from. He doesn't help himself at times but let's not forget the hamstring he has in terms of the budget. All I want is to be competitive and have a chance of top 6 so here's hoping.
13

braveblue added 15:44 - Oct 30
Sack him. What a git.
-1

Bluroo added 15:44 - Oct 30
For me McCarthy's attitude is the number 1 reason to fire him. Second is his style of football. Both are good enough reasons to get rid. Results are irrelevant at this point.
1

blue75 added 15:50 - Oct 30
Very funny McCarthy I find it's a majority of people I know don't like your style of football. And you'll be pleased to know that in 5 years my opinion of you hasn't changed one bit, one of football's entertaining characters, football style and tactics absolutely crap. As it's not all about the winning for me I want to see a team play like we did under Burley and Royle. Play like that and winning games will look after its self.
17

Kulturarv added 15:55 - Oct 30
Our major problem is Marcus Scrooge.
11

MattinLondon added 15:56 - Oct 30
I can understand MM being defensive - if I was being abused consistently then I would find it hard not to react. Especially given how horrible last season was.

Being truthful, MM style of football is appallingly bad - professional footballers should be able to pass the ball on the ground and able to pass the ball rather than long hoofs and that surly must be down to MM.
21

Westy added 15:57 - Oct 30
Never a dull moment being an Ipswich fan.
5

itfchorry added 16:05 - Oct 30
Time to ramp up the volume against him on
Saturday -

Please leave
-2

irishtim added 16:06 - Oct 30
Go on Mick. Give as good as you get. Just outside playoffs with a game in hand plus midfield players injured. Think if we get rid things will go balls up.
2

Swn98 added 16:26 - Oct 30
well as usual honest assessment of the situation there's only one way to prove yourself Mick pile those points on the board starting tomorrow.
5

jjhbruno added 16:29 - Oct 30
I don't care if there is a chance it gets worse (it could also get better who knows), it will be a new path and a new venture for all to look forward to. Can't speak for everybody but most of us have had it with McCarthy win/lose or draw, please tell me exactly what we have to be worried about losing when he is gone? mid table obscurity in the Championship? Been there done that more than any other Championship team. Don't you think it is time to try a new approach, whatever that may be. A few act like he is the only manager in the world.
8

TimmyH added 16:43 - Oct 30
His last job in football?...'no, I want more of it, no doubt', 'I'd like to be in the Premier league, have another chance at that'.
Well Mick 1. You've got no chance with that here 2. Unfortunately your managerial skills and tactics might have been okay some 10 years ago but you'd be completely found out at that level now. 3 After being paid well here for 5+ years he wants a bigger sniff of the spondoolies - I wonder why he thinks he's still good enough at that level?
4

Fat_Boy_Tim added 16:59 - Oct 30
lol, love that press conference by MM! Both of them in fact. I don't agree with everything he's said and done at the club but he is honest and people on here just can't take it! We aren't doing to badly in the league, that's what counts at the end of the day.
5

Gcon added 17:02 - Oct 30
As somebody else said .

So, it's disgraceful for MM to swear but fine for 'fans' to swear at him?
And it's unacceptable for him to utter the odd expletive but it's acceptable for thousands (directly in front of kids) that the chairwoman of another club is an 'F***ing Ar***ole".

Lets not get too hypocritical, shall we. One complainant above was mortified by MM's language the other day and now wants to 'ramp up the volume on him'....
3

itfchorry added 17:20 - Oct 30
Never complained about his language Gcon -

Couldn't care less what he has to say just
want him to leave -

McCarthy Out
6

santiagomudez added 17:22 - Oct 30
He has to be admired for the squad he has put put together on the budget he has had. The club is definitely in a better place for him being here.

However his constant contempt for the fans has gone beyond a joke and the tactical negativity and mistakes he repeatedly makes is unbearable.

I think we actually have a decent squad this year and I think he is not letting it perform to its potential with a lack of clear team style and philosophy. A constant desire to throw 4 strikers on while we have players like Celina and Ward on the bench is embarrassing. There has also got to be serious questions as to why we don't turn up on the televised matches (including the derby games).

Thanks for what you have done Mick, but it's time to go before Portman Road is completely empty regardless of the results and form of the team - a very odd statement to make.
0

prebbs007 added 17:26 - Oct 30
“I think with the vast majority of them it's pretty good, actually. But there are a fair vocal few and I don't think I'm ever going to change that now, that's [always] going to be the case.

UTTERLY DELUSIONAL !!!!!

Foxtrot Oscar NOW
5

blues1 added 17:29 - Oct 30
That wasnt even a sincere apology. He even having a sly dig at the fans in doing so. The fans are perfectly entitled to air their views against him, we pay his wages. He however is supposed to be professional. He knows the risks of football management. If he cant take it and be professional in his reaction, hes in the wrong profession
7

TR11BLU added 17:41 - Oct 30
Always cites money as the issue. Didn't stop Huddersfield, Burnley, Watford.....
Doesn't cost money to play square pegs in the right shaped holes.
Your football is crap, and the abuse....goes with the territory, if you can't hack it walk, and leave the popstar wages on the table.
All this crap about two points from playoffs, we haven't beaten a top half team yet, Christmas is usually a good yardstick so let's discuss that one in another ten games time.
You have been and always will be a tactical dinosaur.
Just go

7


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