The Jim Magilton Interview - Part Four
Saturday, 1st Jan 2000 00:00

O’Neill, a long-time friend, is currently both Northern Ireland and Stoke City manager but is set to step away from his international role at the completion of Euro 2020 campaign. Would Magilton be up for taking over?

“Other people have asked me the same thing,” he said. “When I was managing Ipswich I always thought the international manager’s job was a job after you’ve done so much in club football, and club football having thrown up all sorts of circumstances and instances that you have gained this experience in dealing with.

“And then when you’re dealing with the players from your respective country then you’re well-equipped to deal with it.

“I was still a rookie when I asked about the job. Eight years ago they interviewed me for the job having no idea how I worked, based on a CV, based on word of mouth.

“Six years into this job, they know exactly how I manage. They know exactly how I conduct myself, they know the standards I set, they know the levels I want players and staff to work at and when asked whether I’d be interested, I said ‘Yes, of course I would be’.

“I’m still as ambitious. Michael has brought huge credibility to the job, he and the players have brought Northern Ireland back on to the international map. We’re challenging now for major tournaments.

“We qualified for the European Championships [in 2016], we narrowly missed out on the World Cup. We’re now in the play-off stage for the Euros, whatever happens there.

“But the players and the manager brought this unbelievable credibility and I’ve watched every game. I’ve been a part of it, from a distance at times, but also hands-on.

“So when a reporter asked me off the cuff, I said ‘Yes, I don’t want to be discounted, I want to be in it. The candidates that are being mentioned are worthy candidates but if eight years ago I was a worthy candidate, why wouldn’t I be a worthy candidate eight years down the line having worked with the Association for six?’.”

Does club management still appeal? “If it comes along. I turned down an opportunity at a really good club but there was a lot going on and just didn’t [get the right] feel from the people I was speaking to, and I wanted to be able to deal with it in my own way and I let that opportunity slip by.

“When another opportunity comes up, I’m always willing to discuss and have a chat, but if it’s not right, it’s not right and I won’t just throw myself into something that I’ll not be able to deliver what I want to deliver.”

Despite the unhappy end to his 11 years at Town, he says the Blues still remain close to his heart.

“Still one of the results I look for, still one of the results,” he said. “It breaks my heart that they’re in League One, but it is what it is.

“And we have to find a way to get out of that league and then build on that. And hopefully we can.”

Photo: Action Images

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Elwood added 18:55 - Apr 2 Disgraceful way to treat a true blue. Could be argued Marcus and Clegg got what they deserved. Unfortunately we're all having to suffer.
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tractorboybig added 19:07 - Apr 2 sums up evans and his contempt for our club (thats now his)
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NorthLondonBlue2 added 19:09 - Apr 2 Really hard to read that and not come away with very negative view of Marcus Evans. There are always two sides to every story and this is business, at the end of the day. However, Magilton was and remains a Town legend and deserved to be treated with respect, no excuses.
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allezlesbleus added 20:09 - Apr 2 Jim was a top player and cared. For so long since, it seems that many important people at the club, at all levels, don't. The fact that we haven't beaten Norwich since he was sacked, says so much.
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Dockerblue added 08:37 - Apr 3 What a way to treat a club legend, disgraceful. None of us that were there will ever forget his display against Bolton in the play-off semi-final 2000. What we,d give to have a midfielder like Jim now, a true leader and a passionate player who really cared. Take note and learn numbers 4 and 8!
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r2d2 added 11:22 - Apr 3 That Bolton semi is still one of the best if not the best games lve ever been to at PR. What an evening. Anyone who was there can never forget it. Jim was immense that night. Evans treatment of him says it all about his teniture. No way to treat a club legend.
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