Robbie Fowler On Management, Liverpool, Goalscoring And A Desire To Return To The Dugout | OneFootball

As a manager, to date, you have worked in Thailand, Australia, India and most recently in Saudi Arabia. How do you reflect on each of those experiences so far?

“I strongly believe that I have been a success in each of those jobs. Everywhere I’ve worked has come with its own unique challenges and achievements.

“I first started as a player-manager in Thailand with Muangthong United in 2011/12. There, I took over a team that had the aim of finishing in the top three of the league. At the end of the season, I was able to secure third place and reach the Thai FA Cup final which we lost in extra time to Buriram United who were the team that won the league.

“Following my time in Thailand, I returned home to continue my development as a coach by working towards achieving the UEFA Pro license because I wanted to ensure that I was as qualified to the highest level possible.

“During this time, I took up coaching opportunities in the UK including at Liverpool where I worked in the academy along with Steve McManaman and Rob Jones.

“In 2019, I took over at Brisbane Roar and inherited a team that was second last in the A-League at the end of the previous season while conceding 77 goals.

“When I took over, I had a clean slate to build a team to compete ahead of the new season. I took over, and implemented my style and approach in terms of how I wanted to play, and with four games remaining in the A-League season, we were in a qualification place for the Asian Champions League.

“Unfortunately, the season was then curtailed because of COVID which meant that I returned home.

“I was delighted with the level of progression during my first season because it reaffirmed my belief that I am able to build exciting teams to watch that also encompass a strong team spirit while doing what is expected of any team, winning.

“After that first season, I set a target for myself of becoming a Premier League manager within the next five years, but COVID stopped my progress in Brisbane, and I had to return home.

“Prior to the season ending, I won two Manager of the Month awards and was on the verge of a third one just as the season stopped.

“I came home from Australia not really knowing what was going to happen with COVID.

“Then, the opportunity to take over in India came along, which I was keen to take because it was my best opportunity of getting back into football straight away.

“The reason I went to India was because of the job I’d done in Australia with Brisbane Roar. I was determined to continue managing because I’d done well in Australia and backed myself to succeed.

“On paper, people might look at my role in India managing East Bengal and think it doesn’t seem great, but honestly, that was probably one of the best jobs I’ve done. When you explain what we achieved and how we got there, I don’t think people always grasp the full significance of what it took to reach those outcomes in India.

“In India, we had literally a 10-day window for pre-season to try and get a team ready for the upcoming season. The team I took over was built for the I-league which is the league below the Indian Super League.

“However, the owners had actually bought the rights for an Indian Super League team, so we had a 10-day window to work with a team built for the I-League and try to do well. That is the equivalent of building a team that you hope to establish in the Championship only to find out that you are actually going to compete in the Premier League.

“We finished ninth out of eleven, which on paper, doesn’t sound brilliant, but it was a massive overachievement because we had no right to do that. We had a team that many tipped to struggle to even be competitive at all.

“At one stage in the season, we were nine games unbeaten.

“With just 10 days of pre-season, people hear that and go, ‘What? That’s impossible.’ It was a real, real big achievement.

“After the work that I did in India, I was offered the Al-Qadsiah job in Saudi Arabia

“The team were in the Saudi First Division at the time and my job was to build a team that was capable of winning promotion to the Saudi Pro League.

“I was enthusiastic about the challenge, and we had an unbelievable start with the players we had.

“I implemented an attacking style of play, and we were the team to beat within the First Division. In my eight games in charge, we won six and drew two, so I was unbeaten during my time at the club.

“Unfortunately, after eight games, I was replaced by a Spanish head coach because the sporting director made it clear to the ownership that his preference was to have a fellow Spaniard as the head coach going forward.

“I was very disappointed with how the role ended. Of course, I understand how football works but I felt that it was uncalled for especially given the squad that I built and the start to the season that we had.

“The team that I left behind went on to win promotion to the Saudi Pro League and I am proud to have played a part in that even if I am disappointed that I was not given the opportunity to see the job through.”

You have a win percentage of 51% as a manager. Given your record to date, do you want to manage in the U.K. and is this something that you are working towards?

“I would absolutely love to manage in the U.K., and I believe that if given the opportunity I could improve any club that I go into.

“I back myself as a manager and I have gained invaluable experience around the world that I can bring to the role.

“I have already shown that I can make clubs better on and off the pitch, I can improve the environment around a football club because that’s what I do. I’m not embarrassed to believe in myself because I understand football and I have done many hard yards as a manager in each of my roles so far.

“As well as my coaching career, I was an elite player since I was 17 so I fully understand the pressure that comes with football at the highest level.

“Pressure is different for everyone, but I relish it because I’ve had it since I was 17 when I first broke into the first team at Liverpool. It doesn’t bother me. I know I can go into a club and change fortunes, make them better, and improve the environment.

“As I said, I would love to manage in the UK, of course I would, but if there’s an opportunity overseas, then it’s a case of ‘have boots, will travel.’ I know I’ve got a lot to give, and I know that the next club I go to will be in good hands.”

There is a lot made of managers now in terms of how they want to play and their approach to the game. How would you describe your approach? Do you have a set style, or has it been adaptable to whatever situation you’ve gone into?

“All of my teams have a strong playing identity, but I am also fully aware that you’ve got to be adaptable particularly if you go into a club who are near the bottom of the table and need results to improve their fortunes immediately.

“In a circumstance like that, your sole responsibility is to work hard with the players that you’ve got and squeeze everything out of them for the betterment of the team.

“Whereas, if I go into a team at the start of a pre-season and I have a blank piece of paper, then I know what I want to do. I want to be a possession-based manager or coach, but crucially I want my teams to have possession in the right areas of the pitch.

“I’m not a coach who wants my team to have possession just for the sake of it or to top up our statistics because you can hide behind that. We’ve seen that over the years with plenty of clubs and managers that statistics don’t always tell the full story.

“One record I was most proud of was in Australia at Brisbane Roar as my team had possession in the opposition half more than any other team.

“That is where I want my teams to dominate the ball because those are the areas of the pitch where you create chances for yourself and create chaos for the opponent.

“I’m also aware that my teams need to be patient in possession. I know where it is appropriate to risk a pass, how to ensure that players create wide overloads while giving them ownership of their own game with role-specific clarity.

“I’m a big believer in working on the training field and with a strong use of analysis so that everyone in the squad is able to fully understand their roles. That may sound simplistic, but it is absolutely vital because you need to have a team that’s organised and structured in both attack and defence.

“Teams should exploit spaces and maintain defensive solidity outwith position while knowing what to do when they regain possession or are in control of possession. That is how I want my teams to see the game and to play the game too.”

“I loved my time at Liverpool coming through the youth system and breaking into the first team.

“You’ve got to be confident. You can have a bit of talent, but you still need to own that, to bring it out. We see it all the time with certain players—they’re very talented, but you still need confidence. Without sounding big-headed, confidence is knowing what you can do. I was always confident in getting into a dressing room and believing that I should be there.

“If you go into any environment and fear the worst, it hinders your performance or your progress. I was always confident in what I could do. Talent will only take you so far, mentality plays just as important a role and thankfully, I always backed myself.”

“My early years were probably my best. I think I’m still the only player to have scored 30 goals in each of their first three or four seasons. That’s a record that would be hard for anyone to beat. It shows I was mega confident in what I could do. It helps to have the talent, but you still need the confidence to showcase it.”

You won a treble of the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and League Cup in 2000/01, scoring in two of the three finals. Was that season your most special one at Liverpool and what are your memories of it?

“It probably was. In 1996, we had a team that should have won more than the League Cup, to be fair. But in terms of being a player and winning trophies, that’s what you want to be remembered for. The 2001 season, what we won and achieved as a team, was incredible. For a team to play in every conceivable game that year was just an amazing experience.

“I played my part—you mentioned I scored in two cup finals and came on in the FA Cup final when we were losing 1-0. I was unbelievably happy with what I’d done that season and what we achieved.

“As a footballer, it’s great to get big contracts and money, but for me, it was always about winning. I’ve always been ambitious. That ambition—to strive to be the best—puts you in a good place, and I’m the same now as a manager.”

When I spoke to Roy Evans a few years ago, he talked about you and Steve McManaman—your partnership on the pitch and your friendship off it. Did that closeness help you both when you were playing?

“It definitely helped. We were very good mates off the pitch, and we still are. I’d like to think we helped each other, but we also complemented each other’s games very well.

“He was a top footballer and so was I at that time when we were playing together at Liverpool so even though we knew each other well, I think we would have gelled anyway as we were both quality players in our respective positions.”

What are your memories of Leeds United and Manchester City and what was it like to link up with Steve McManaman again at City after such a successful partnership at Liverpool?

“With City, it was a bit like when I left Liverpool—I was supposed to leave, and I ended up going to Leeds. Leeds was a great club. I really enjoyed my time there, but they probably tried too hard to get to the top too soon in terms of spending. It was genuinely a sad day when I left Leeds because I felt they were on the brink of something big.

“We had a fantastic squad—young players just hitting the highlights of their careers. At City, Kevin Keegan was the manager, and we played great football under him. It took me a while to get my bearings at City, but once I did, I really started enjoying it.

“The City I played for wasn’t the Manchester City of today, but I really enjoyed my time there. The fans were brilliant to me. I always look back on my career and remember the positives—they far outweigh the negatives at any club I’ve been to.”

When you returned to Liverpool for your second spell in 2006/07, how did that come about? Did you expect it at all and how do you reflect on it?

“I think I was still scoring goals, and in a way, I’m glad I left Liverpool the first time because it gave me the chance to experience other clubs and appreciate Liverpool even more. I’d been at Liverpool since I was 10 or 11 years old, coming through the academy, reserves, and so on. I never knew anything else.

“Leaving made me realise how special Liverpool is as a club, especially the fans. I maybe took it for granted before, so I’m glad I got to experience other places. Returning home to Liverpool was genuinely incredible.

When you went back, players like Steven Gerrard had grown into key figures in the team. What was it like returning as an older player and seeing those younger players you had played with become first-team regulars?

“In my first spell, you could see Steven’s talent. When I came back, he had developed into a brilliant, all-rounded player. He had more confidence, growth, and presence about him. He was brilliant before, but in my second spell, he was a true superstar.

“I’d like to think that, in my first spell, I helped shape and develop younger players like him. We local lads always looked after the other younger lads coming through. When I went back, you could see the massive difference in Steven. He had become one of the best players in European football.”

You’re one of the top ten goal-scorers in Premier League history. Despite that incredible statistic, do you believe that you get the credit you deserve for your achievements?

“I am glad you asked that question because I don’t think I am respected as much for my career as I should be.

“The reason that I say that is because my career was very good, and I was scoring 30 plus goals per season as a teenager in consecutive seasons which I am not sure we will see again anytime soon.

“Despite that, I’ll be honest and admit that I think I should have scored more goals. I’ve gone down to number nine in the all-time list of Premier League scorers, which I’m still happy with, but in the last six or seven years of my career, I didn’t play as many games as I’d have liked.

“We talk about statistics and data such as goals-to-games ratios now, but it is important to remember that towards the end of my career, a lot of my appearances were just minutes here and there.

“I am very happy with the career that I had and maybe I don’t get enough love outside of Liverpool but that is up to other people. I am content with all that achieved, and I know the worth that I had as a footballer.”