Saturday Interview: Chris Waddle

PETER Swan reached the top of the stairs with a look of satisfaction normally reserved for those who have scaled the North Face of the Eiger, writes NEIL BRAMWELL.

It was 3.15pm and the giant central defender had popped into the Turf Moor offices to tie up a few administrative odds and ends.

training had finished just 45 minutes earlier and Swan looked like he would struggle to find the energy to tie his shoe laces.

The Burnley squad had just endured their second dose of Chris Waddle, who bounded up to the first floor minutes later with the spring of frisky pup.

Those with preconceptions would imagine a Waddle training session to consist of nothing more than a relaxed dribble round a few cones and a quick game of keep-it-up.

That would be the same group who mistake his slouching shoulders for a lack of effort on the field.

Waddle was not born with naturally broad shoulders but has never needed that quality more in his career than as he takes over the Turf Moor hot seat.

Leadership by example is a key managerial skill and no-one has sweated more in the heat of the last few days at Gawthorpe than the new boss. And if the current squad follow the Waddle example, they too may still be lacing up their boots at the age of 36.

After ending last season with Sunderland, the Waddle family enjoyed a holiday in America before returning to their Sheffield home, from where he has no intention of moving.

Then it was straight back to the grind with Leeds defender and good friend Carlton Palmer providing a daily training partner on runs and at the gym.

Waddle is hoping that kind of discipline and desire will be infectious.

"If a player goes home and has hamburger and chips, I cannot change that.

"We have the skills and we will advise the players on diet and lifestyle.

"But I am not going to knock on their doors and phone them up at night to check on them.

"If players want to achieve there are big rewards out there.

"Football is all in the brain and if you feel tired, you will be tired.

"Looks are nothing. But whether playing for the first team or the reserves, I have always played to the best of my ability," he said.

Stirring stuff. And Waddle is positively oozing zest for his new role.

It is a job he has been preparing for for a number of years - almost literally. Several years ago in a player profile in a soccer magazine, Waddle was quoted that his ambition was to manage a club "like Burnley". But at that stage in his career, Waddle was revelling in his playing skills and management was a distant challenge.

"For the last three years I have been told to get a manager's job by various people and I have said 'No'.

"Management is a big step and, while it is enjoyable, I wanted to go when I was ready," he explained.

The likes of Glenn Hoddle and Peter Reid combined to exert a key and recent influence.

Waddle added: "I suddenly thought 'That's it. I'm ready if the right club comes along.'"

West Brom dangled the first carrot but it proved unpalatable.

He said: "My gut feeling was that they were saying 'Yes, we do want you but can we bring people in', as if I was a bit of a risk."

To the surprise of many, including wife of 14 years, Lorna, he turned them down on that basis.

News of Howard Kendall's interest in Adrian Heath, rekindled the interest.

Waddle immediately contacted Burnley and a meeting was soon arranged in Barnsley.

He recalled: "I rang Burnley and inquired about it and the first reaction was 'Who? Why do you want to come here?'

"I thought the directors were very genuine and I had the feeling they definitely wanted me. I think they are going to let us get on with it." The Burnley board's imaginative, albeit slightly daring, decision has been met with virtually universal approval.

But, with hair limply dangling onto his shoulders and hips limply waggling alongside Glenn Hoddle to the tune of Diamond Lights on Top of the Pops, who'd a thowt young and glitzy Chris Waddle was potential management material?

In smart slacks and polo shirt, bronzed and clean cut behind his new desk, it is hard to imagine the restyled Chris Waddle outside of the board room.

Any managerial shortfalls will not be through lack of confidence or conviction.

"I like to think I know the game and that I can talk to people honestly.

"There are no doubts that I will have my arguments or confrontations.

"But I have never had any fights or rumbles.

"I have had discussions and disagreements and I will have to draw the line as the boss. "I am not just a player any more and if that means upsetting people on the way, then that's life," he insisted.

It is not as though Waddle has not had time to prepare for this day and his managerial style is already starting to reflect the range of his soccer experiences.

Pre-season training has been split into two morning and afternoon sessions, a continental trait picked up during his time at Marseille.

He has a definite game plan and that is likely to rely on recent experiences at Bradford and Falkirk rather than the tactical intricacies of the Premiership.

"I have had a good education.

"Burnley seemed to struggle against physical sides last season and in the last six or seven months I have played against a lot of teams like that.

"I know you cannot play pretty football all the time and get out of this division," he confessed.

Pretty football, though, has been the essence of his glittering career.

Management will throw up the good times and the bad, although, the latter would be hard pushed to dispel a certain 1990 night in Italy when Waddle missed THAT penalty. His recovery from the experience is a reflection on his overall perspective of the game.

"I'm a great believer that what is meant to be will be.

"You get on with life and you are not a bad player because you miss a penalty.

"We all cried in the changing rooms, not just Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle.

"The lads were excellent afterwards and I think we had a beer too many.

"We just got on with it the next day because we had to play Italy for third place.

"We all became better players for it.

"I have been very happy with how I have played since the 1983-84 season. "Before that I was learning my trade from non-league football. Some games I was brilliant and some I was absolutely....

"I have never had a complaint from any club."

While at times overpowering - he is currently clocking up nearly 12-hour days - the game is not all consuming.

Daughter Brooke, who is nine, and son Jack, three (a dead-ringer for dad who already kicks with his left foot) are apples of his eye.

Telly tastes range from George Formby, James Cagney and Carry On films to Grand Prix and sprinting.

Golf, a developing bug, has been incubated until the Burnley house is in order.

These distractions combine to provide a necessary release valve.

"I live football but I can switch off, although at the moment it's very exciting and I can't switch off.

"I will be very disappointed if I do not achieve something at Burnley.

"But I hope the fans can be patient because Rome wasn't built in a day."

Burnley had 14 managers in 77 years 1893 to 1970 and 13 managers in 27 years since then.

The 14th has huge expectations - and huge promise.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.