Sol Campbell isn’t exactly known for being humble but his latest comments about why he’s not been handed a job as a manager yet are simply staggering.
In a recent interview with the Highbury & Heels podcast, Campbell described himself as one of the greatest minds in football after being overlooked for the Oxford United job.
“I did go (for the Oxford job) and they didn’t accept me,” Campbell said, reports Sky Sports.
“Maybe it was a lack of experience, things like that, but it’s a full circle. Experience? How do I get experience? Well I need a job to get experience.
“I don’t want to go too low that it’s a struggle, and I don’t want to go too low that I’m under someone and thinking ‘what am I doing here?’ I would rather be managing a club myself.
“I’m confident and it’s not like it’s rocket science to run a football club, especially when you get to that level. If you’re intelligent enough and a quick learner you will learn pretty soon, within two or three games, what the team needs, training-wise, to survive in that league, get better in that league, to get in the play-offs or even win the league.
“I’m intelligent enough, it’s not like I played on a fox and dog pitch all my life. I can’t believe some people, I’m one of the greatest minds in football and I’m being wasted because of a lack of experience or ‘maybe he talks his mind too much’.”
“Go to Germany, they love people who speak their minds. They got the jobs. I’m sorry that I’ve got a mind, but don’t be scared of that. That should be something you want at your club, but obviously not.”
Campbell’s had his issues with becoming a football manager. It seems the 43-year-old wants to just walk into a top role and not have to work his way up, like most coaches do.
At the moment, the former centre-back, who won the Premier League twice with Arsenal, is Trinidad and Tobago’s assistant coach. He was handed the role underneath Dennis Lawrence in January 2017.
While Arsenal fans and most football fans in general – apart from those who support Spurs – appreciate what the big defender accomplished during his career, it’s no secret that the ex-England international is more than a little arrogant and it tends to rub people the wrong way.
On the pitch, this wasn’t such a bad thing – players were genuinely scared to run at him because he knew he would stop them and so did they. But off it, it’s not a fantastic quality to have and Arsenal fans, among others, have been tearing into him on social media.
Here’s what Twitter had to say:
— DN (@Noooolan) February 22, 2018
And with that one comment, Oxford and all the others are completely vindicated. What a clown shoe.
— Dave Stacey (@DaveBoy1987) February 22, 2018
— Ryan Madden (@RyanMadden1991) February 22, 2018
Maybe, just maybe, your arrogance and high opinion of yourself might have also been a contributing factor.
— Steven Howard 🌱 (@derbygardens) February 22, 2018
What an absolute melt he is.
— Kieran Bales (@kiebales_) February 22, 2018
Is he, like, a really stable genius?
— Gorilla Cramp (@Gorillacramp) February 22, 2018
Not surprising he didn’t get it with that sort of attitude!!!
— alan baker (@alanbaker_) February 22, 2018
Well, at least the “I’m wasted” part seems plausible.
— Bankrupt (@bankruptspurs) February 22, 2018
One of the greatest minds in football? Wow Sol nothing like a bit of humility fella
— Wayne Fox Jones (@JoneseyWayne) February 22, 2018
The fact he said this is the reason he didn’t get the job. Arrogance.
— Craig Oates (@craigoates87) February 22, 2018
Think if I strolled into any interview with that amount of arrogance on show I’d fail to get the job too.
— Nick 😕 (@nickel_ar53) February 22, 2018
Is he having a fucking laugh 😂 😂😂
— ☆Gregsie☆ (@juliegregory1) February 22, 2018
🗣 “I’m one of the greatest minds in football” and so modest too
— Nigel Quin (@hazeltunes) February 22, 2018
Showing his usual charm and humility as always!
— MeltingSnowflakes (@Andyboy0891) February 22, 2018
Tim Sherwood levels of ego
— IWantAHeungMinSonHandshake (@AntHollick7) February 22, 2018