MENTOR Terry Fenwick tipped Lee Bradbury to succeed in the harsh world of football management and urged his former protégé: “Be your own man.”
The ex-England defender handed Bradbury his chance in the professional ranks when he signed him for Portsmouth in 1995.
He recognised the now rookie Cherries manager’s potential and ended up selling him to Manchester City for £3million to help ease Pompey’s money worries.
Bradbury worked under an estimated total of 25 managers – including legendary figures such as Terry Venables and Harry Redknapp – during a distinguished career, but he last month ranked Fenwick among his favourites.
The former QPR and Tottenham full-back, who earned 20 international caps, is now in charge of San Juan Jabloteh in Trinidad and Tobago and was last night set to lead his team in a major cup final.
Having managed Portsmouth and, briefly, Northampton Town, Fenwick is well aware of the difficulties facing bosses in the British game and he highlighted the perils of poor results.
But he thinks Bradbury, who was last week appointed permanent successor to Eddie Howe at Dean Court, should be well equipped to cope with the challenges.
Speaking to the Echo from Trinidad, Fenwick said: “I think making the transition into management is extremely hard, particularly in England, hence why I’m out here in Trinidad and Tobago.
“It’s not easier here but you get time to show your abilities and sculpt the sort of team and club that you want.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think that happens in the UK. It is very cut and dried. You either win games and survive or you are out of the door.
“That is the harsh reality of British football.
“Lee is very strong minded, though.
“He’ll have his own ideas and will have picked up a lot from the coaches he has had over the years.
“If he has made his notes and jotted down the things he sees as positives from the people he has worked under, he should have plenty in the tank to make a success of it.”
Asked what advice he would pass on, Fenwick said: “Be your own man, which he is.
“Don’t take too much notice of the detractors on the outside, which he will get. There will be those that will be waiting for him to stumble.
“He’s just got to keep his head down and do the things that are right for the team and the club.
“What I think I always saw in Lee Bradbury was honesty. If he can be as honest in management as he was as a player, I think he’s got a great chance of making it.”
Reflecting on the Cherries chief’s time at Fratton Park, Fenwick added: “He never wanted to cause a flap and was always very professional in his manner, whether it was on the field or socially.
“He was an all-round good character and the sort of player that you wanted in and around your team.”