Shakespeare - I have learnt more in 12 games than last seven years

[davieG]

I have learnt more in 12 games than last seven years, admits Leicester City boss

By Leicester Mercury  |  Posted: May 19, 2017

   

 

image: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276308/Article/images/30343221/16009642-large.jpg

Tottenham's Harry Kane on his way to four goals against Leicester City

 

Craig Shakespeare says he has learned more in the dozen games he has been Leicester City boss than in his entire coaching career.

 

The 53-year-old, who served as assistant to Nigel Pearson and Claudio Ranieri before replacing the Italian 12 games ago, could take charge of his last game tomorrow when City entertain Bournemouth in the season finale at the King Power Stadium.

Shakespeare was given the job until the end of the season but is due to hold talks with the owners next week about whether he will be kept on as the number one.

City have picked up 22 points from those 12 games and have climbed away from relegation danger, and could possibly finish as high as ninth as well as reaching the Champions League quarter finals.

'It has been steep learning curve'

Shakespeare admits it has been a steep learning curve.

His side were humbled 6-1 by Tottenham on Thursday and he admits he may have left his side too open to Spurs' attacking threats by making positive changes in a bid to get back into the game, but he vowed he wouldn't change his approach.

"It's been challenging but I've probably learned more about myself in the last 12 games than I did in six or seven years as an assistant manager," said Shakespeare.

"When I was given the role and the remit we were languishing in the relegation area. We've turned that around.

"Of course, as a manager, sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong but I think you learn through the tough times a bit more.

"The Spurs defeat was important for me to reflect on. I have tried to do that.

'I will continue to be positive'

"I would always say I would like to make positive changes when we are behind in games to get back into a game.

"I need to have a look at myself in terms of what I have done with the changes, but I will continue to be positive to try to win games."

Shakespeare said he was comfortable going into next week's meeting with the owners, which will decide his destiny.

"I don't know their thoughts," he said. "What I would say is the form before that has been really good.

"I'd like to think of it as a blip and we have the chance to try to put that right now on Sunday.

"I'm quite calm about the situation. I've been in football since I left school at 16.

'No date has been set for meeting'

"This is something I enjoy. I enjoy being involved in football.

"It's obviously my time to listen and to see. It's a time to listen and see what the owners decide.

"No date has been set but I am sure the club will be coming to me after the last game. It is best for all parties it is sorted."

Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/i-have-learnt-more-in-12-games-than-seven-years-previously-admits-shakespeare/story-30343221-detail/story.html#2UGhL22GEUv8duxr.99

[red5]

No excuse Shakespeare, you fcuked up big time, putting Grey on with Mahrez on the pitch with that team against spuds was a sackable offence.

[HighPeakFox]

55 minutes ago, red5 said:

No excuse Shakespeare, you fcuked up big time, putting Grey on with Mahrez on the pitch with that team against spuds was a sackable offence.

I hope your life is going well.

[Tuna]

1 hour ago, red5 said:

No excuse Shakespeare, you fcuked up big time, putting Grey on with Mahrez on the pitch with that team against spuds was a sackable offence.

Pathetic post of the highest order.

[Bryn]

I really like Craig Shakespeare and I consider the Spurs result an anomaly.

 

My feeling is he represents a Leicester side that is approaching its end. There's no point in dwelling on the Pearson/Ranieri era, the net result of which is an established Premier League side with reason to look up at the top 7. Shakespeare is the right man to get the most out of the existing squad and system, but my feeling is the squad and tactical approach needs an overhaul and I don't think Shakespeare is the man to do that. I felt that before his appointment and I still think it and to be honest I don't think he could have changed my mind.

[Webbo]

I'm really not sure. I just hope Shakespeare's early success wasn't just a new manager bounce. Whatever the owners decide I'll back them.

[rn9013]

I won't be disappointed to see Shakey get the job, but equally if I'm honest I won't be disappointed to see him not get it either.

 

Don't get me wrong, he's done wonders for us, along with Pearson, Ranieri et al, and like the others I will always hold him in the highest regard for what has been achieved. But something inside me just feels appointing him on a full time basis might be a mistake. I really hope I'm proven wrong, and of course if he does get the job next week I'll be fully behind him and the squad, but Thursdays performance for me just confirmed my feeling that this squad needs a bit of a mini overhaul if we are to seriously progress as a club. Personally, I think a new manager might be best to do that.

 

Whoever is in charge, this summer is absolutely massive for the club. Mahrez will go (which I don't think is a bad thing given his recent dip in attitude, I think it's time for him to move on), we are also likely to lose a couple more (such as Kasper, which will be a huge loss) and I think we need to change a couple of others (such as Musa and the CB pairing). Get this summer right, and we can push on to compete for a place in Europe (Europa League), but get it wrong and we could easily be fighting a relegation battle next season.

 

The owners have got some massive calls to make, but on their record I trust them to make the right decision.

[mozartfox]

Hopefully he learnt a lot about the quaility of the squad on Thursday night.. If he thinks he can get away with adding just 2 or 3 new faces (as has been reported) then he needs to watch the video a few times more.

 

 

[FireFox]

If he's only just learning what it means to be a manager right now, then surely he's not the right man for the job. We can't have someone who's learning on his feet.

[HighPeakFox]

I believe he said that he had learnt more about himself in the last 12 games than in the last 7 years. 

 

That is just someone being honest.

[Nick]

I'm wondering if Eddie Howe will be offered 'a good  look round' today?

[Strokes]

3 minutes ago, Swan Lesta said:

I'm wondering if Eddie Howe will be offered 'a good  look round' today?

Oh god, I hope not. He is a right wet lettuce.

[jim5000]

15 hours ago, FireFox said:

If he's only just learning what it means to be a manager right now, then surely he's not the right man for the job. We can't have someone who's learning on his feet.

 

Kind of agree, his inexperience is his weakest asset, no need to go shouting about it a week before they decide if he get the gig!

[Nick]

2 minutes ago, Strokes said:

Oh god, I hope not. He is a right wet lettuce.

I think he'd do well for us. But I understand the lettuce element!

[Strokes]

Just now, Swan Lesta said:

I think he'd do well for us. But I understand the lettuce element!

He is just a bit of a drip, that's how he seems to me, a right fanny. 

I think given his ethos and absolute refusal to change it, we would see quite a few changes in personnel, which actually might not be a bad thing.

[HighPeakFox]

I'm pretty sure CR said he'd learnt more about himself in the last 12 games than etc..........not quite the same thing.