Warren Joyce has given an insight into his time working under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and outlined the traits he hopes he can transfer to his new Hyundai A-League club Melbourne City.
Ahead of his first Hyundai A-League game as City boss against Brisbane Roar tonight, Joyce told www.a-league.com.au about his eight years as reserve team and youth coach at Manchester United.
The majority of his stint at the Red Devils (2008-2016) Joyce worked closely with Ferguson and helped develop their younger players.
The hugely-successful Scotsman left a big impression on Joyce and he hopes to replicate a similar environment in Melbourne.
“It’s impossible to copy anybody. But the way everybody in the whole of the football club [at Manchester United], nobody wanted to let him [Ferguson] down,” Joyce said.
“He had respect from all of the staff as well as the players. It’s a tremendous achievement to be able to do that, to make people want to do everything they possibly could in whatever role and they’re all pulling together.
“That’s a real skill to be able to command that much respect.
“If you looked at how many times Manchester United scored late goals or came back from a deficit to win matches or competitions, it’s that never-say-die attitude, never believe you can lose a game or lose a battle.
“It was ingrained in the club that if you continue to do the right things, good things tend to happen for you.”
And Joyce hopes the good time will roll for City starting at AAMI Park tonight in their clash with Brisbane Roar.
The 52-year-old Englishman said his pre-season focus had been on creating a culture of success amongst his squad.
While he won’t have Tim Cahill (who is on Caltex Socceroos duty) tonight, Joyce is excited to work with the star striker and expects him to have a huge impact.
“The mentality of the top-class players is always the same. They have great pride in themselves and the way they conduct themselves and the way they prepare and train,” Joyce said of Cahill.
“I think Tim is just as hungry as he has ever been in his life.
“He’s got aims both at club and international level and we’re both working towards maximising those aims for club and country.”
City will be without Bruno Fornaroli against Roar but we could see new recruits Marcin Budzinski, Bart Schenkeveld in the Hyundai A-League for the first time. Injury replacement striker Ross McCormack may miss out due to visa issues.
