Leeds boss McDermott looks back on 2013
leedsunited.com 31/12/13
Brian McDermott reflects on the year that was...
As the year reaches its conclusion, United manager Brian McDermott will look back on an eventful 2013 as a year of change and a year of progress.
McDermott took over the reins in April with the team battling against relegation and as the club heads into the New Year, his side are seventh in the Championship at the half-way mark of the season.
“I think that you have got to consider where we were when we first came in during April,” reflected the boss.
“We were struggling and the team was in a bit of a state as far as where we could have ended up. We got ourselves out of trouble and worked really hard in the summer on the training ground.
“The owners have done an awful lot away from the pitch trying to galvanise everybody and I think they have done a really good job.
“The majority of the fans are right on board and they can see what we are trying to do. We’re seventh in the league with 23 games left so we have everything to play for.
“I am absolutely more determined than ever, especially after seeing the Forest game to make sure that we give ourselves every opportunity to get to where we want to get to.”
Less than 12 months ago, McDermott was at the helm of Reading, but a dramatic turn of events saw him lose his job at the Premier League before taking over at Elland Road just over a month later.
“It’s been an interesting year,” said the boss. “I got Manager of the Month in January in the Premier League and got sacked in March. Then I had a month off and I got a phone call to come to Leeds.
“We played against Sheffield Wednesday and we were 1-0 down at half time and I though, ‘what am I doing?’ And then we came back and we won the game in the second half. That was a great result because we needed to win that game.
“I’ve had an amazing time at Leeds as far as the welcome I’ve had personally and Nigel Gibbs and Jon Goodman. We are not from this part of the world but the people here are just fantastic. You get a real good welcome and you get a sense that there is a real devotion to this football club. It is astonishing, it really is.
“It has been an interesting year and I’ve learnt an awful lot. I’ve got an unbelievable drive to get us to where we need to be. That’s not just me but the staff and the players as well. There is a real good feel factor.
“I’m really pleased to be here and come May let’s hope that we are in a really good place.”
Brian McDermott reflects on the year that was...
As the year reaches its conclusion, United manager Brian McDermott will look back on an eventful 2013 as a year of change and a year of progress.
McDermott took over the reins in April with the team battling against relegation and as the club heads into the New Year, his side are seventh in the Championship at the half-way mark of the season.
“I think that you have got to consider where we were when we first came in during April,” reflected the boss.
“We were struggling and the team was in a bit of a state as far as where we could have ended up. We got ourselves out of trouble and worked really hard in the summer on the training ground.
“The owners have done an awful lot away from the pitch trying to galvanise everybody and I think they have done a really good job.
“The majority of the fans are right on board and they can see what we are trying to do. We’re seventh in the league with 23 games left so we have everything to play for.
“I am absolutely more determined than ever, especially after seeing the Forest game to make sure that we give ourselves every opportunity to get to where we want to get to.”
Less than 12 months ago, McDermott was at the helm of Reading, but a dramatic turn of events saw him lose his job at the Premier League before taking over at Elland Road just over a month later.
“It’s been an interesting year,” said the boss. “I got Manager of the Month in January in the Premier League and got sacked in March. Then I had a month off and I got a phone call to come to Leeds.
“We played against Sheffield Wednesday and we were 1-0 down at half time and I though, ‘what am I doing?’ And then we came back and we won the game in the second half. That was a great result because we needed to win that game.
“I’ve had an amazing time at Leeds as far as the welcome I’ve had personally and Nigel Gibbs and Jon Goodman. We are not from this part of the world but the people here are just fantastic. You get a real good welcome and you get a sense that there is a real devotion to this football club. It is astonishing, it really is.
“It has been an interesting year and I’ve learnt an awful lot. I’ve got an unbelievable drive to get us to where we need to be. That’s not just me but the staff and the players as well. There is a real good feel factor.
“I’m really pleased to be here and come May let’s hope that we are in a really good place.”