Chris Wilder met the media this afternoon via ZOOM hosting his first conference live from the training ground.
In all the media conference lasted about 45 minutes in which the former Sheffield United boss paid out some of his vision in reply to questions from radio, tv and written press. What came across was a new manager burning with ambition and sees Middlesbrough as a perfect fit to realise that ambition. He is someone that likes to build something, not flit in and out. At 54 years of age Boro are just his fifth club and he sees the club as having so much potential. He talked about the Bruce Rioch team post 86 and the Bryan Robson team that created the Riverside Revolution and then the European seasons under McClaren. Wilder is a well grounded individual he knows life is tough right now, he knows we must be prudent with Financial Fair Play but he is not afraid to shoot for the moon and the stars.
Here we go the answer to my question in the conference. I told him I was speaking to him from Ayresome Park, which made him smile.
Fly: You have mentioned your ambition and how you want us to be competitive, consistent, you talked of the history here and wanting to take us forward again and aiming high. These sound like reasons for the fans to be excited..
CW: Well I am excited, so I would like to think that this appointment has gone down well. Listen there are always going to be people who possibly think in a different way. That is the beauty of football, that's the beauty of opinions from supporters. But I am coming here for a reason. My past track record hopefully gives the supporters optimism that I can take the club to where it wants to be. In a manner and a style that they will enjoy. And enjoy coming back.
It is tough times, especially in the north and we all know that but I know how much the supporters of Middlesbrough love their football and the area loves the football. It is not divided. It is not wanting to do different things. It is the big thing. It is the biggest sport. The football that they love. And hopefully we can put on and show them what we are all about and the supporters will get right behind, I am sure they will.
As much as we like a great through ball and a fantastic half volley and a Cruyff, we like a big header, we like a big tackle and we like people to be competitive. I think that is the area, that is the characteristics of the area, that the history of the players that we've talked about. (He mentioned Rioch team especially). And that's something that I want to bring to the football club.
In all the media conference lasted about 45 minutes in which the former Sheffield United boss paid out some of his vision in reply to questions from radio, tv and written press. What came across was a new manager burning with ambition and sees Middlesbrough as a perfect fit to realise that ambition. He is someone that likes to build something, not flit in and out. At 54 years of age Boro are just his fifth club and he sees the club as having so much potential. He talked about the Bruce Rioch team post 86 and the Bryan Robson team that created the Riverside Revolution and then the European seasons under McClaren. Wilder is a well grounded individual he knows life is tough right now, he knows we must be prudent with Financial Fair Play but he is not afraid to shoot for the moon and the stars.
Here we go the answer to my question in the conference. I told him I was speaking to him from Ayresome Park, which made him smile.
Fly: You have mentioned your ambition and how you want us to be competitive, consistent, you talked of the history here and wanting to take us forward again and aiming high. These sound like reasons for the fans to be excited..
CW: Well I am excited, so I would like to think that this appointment has gone down well. Listen there are always going to be people who possibly think in a different way. That is the beauty of football, that's the beauty of opinions from supporters. But I am coming here for a reason. My past track record hopefully gives the supporters optimism that I can take the club to where it wants to be. In a manner and a style that they will enjoy. And enjoy coming back.
It is tough times, especially in the north and we all know that but I know how much the supporters of Middlesbrough love their football and the area loves the football. It is not divided. It is not wanting to do different things. It is the big thing. It is the biggest sport. The football that they love. And hopefully we can put on and show them what we are all about and the supporters will get right behind, I am sure they will.
As much as we like a great through ball and a fantastic half volley and a Cruyff, we like a big header, we like a big tackle and we like people to be competitive. I think that is the area, that is the characteristics of the area, that the history of the players that we've talked about. (He mentioned Rioch team especially). And that's something that I want to bring to the football club.