Although he has worked harder to win SPFL Manager of the Year than he did to keep Kilmarnock in the Premiership last season, Derek McInnes maintains that the praise he has got is great.
After victories over Ross County and Dundee United in the aftermath of their split against relegation rivals, the former Aberdeen manager barely managed to keep Killie in the top division in the 2022–2023 campaign. He has expressed on multiple occasions how boring it was and how unenjoyable it was.
Those days of misery and despair are a long way behind this Killie team, as they are currently in fourth position and, consequently, will play in European football this summer.
Because of this, he is now competing with Tony Docherty and John McGlynn for Manager of the Year. Though McInnes recalls his old friend and Rangers manager Walter Smith with nostalgia, it was actually through difficult circumstances that he was able to recognize his greatest qualities as a head coach.
“It is really ironic,” the fifty-two-year-old said. Even though the previous season was difficult, as a manager you undoubtedly feel that you accomplish more and perform at your best when faced with a crisis and trying to ensure that the team is strong enough to cross the finish line. I don’t believe that this year has seen me improve as a manager over previous.
Walter once told me that although he received numerous honors for his achievements, he thought that he produced his best work while he was at Everton. He had to send teams into the field to compete while dealing with numerous obstacles and fighting a fire. There were numerous difficulties.
Although recognition this season is good, last year was much harder. We didn’t have a recruitment staff in place, two-thirds of our squad was already under contract, and we didn’t have the same scope as we did in the summer, so you feel like you perform so much better work.
We had a head of recruitment in the summer, and we had already utilized him to hire Vassell and Chambers in January, which was really important. This summer, I had access to all of these networks of support that are available to managers for any requirements they may have.
Then you can see the caliber of player we can bring and how we make the most of the money available to us. It made it possible for us to compete. We’ve acquired quality players.I anticipated early on that I would like this season and that as it progressed, demand would change. Thus far, we have undoubtedly satisfied that desire. However, things have truly become easier, less hectic, and less stressful.
When you know what you have with your team, management appears simple. We’ve only dropped two of our 19 league games, which is half of the league games and just seven total for the season. We’ve improved on all fronts, posed a greater threat, and kept more clean sheets. The performance has been enhanced in every way.
“You are nominated, but you have probably not had to put in as much effort yourself. While maintaining a motivated group and hard work are still necessary, the players make the process easier. That really isn’t a secret.
With the league title and Scottish Cup still up for grabs against Celtic, Philippe Clement may win a treble in his first season as Rangers’ manager.
McInnes disapproves of the time when the prizes are voted on because he recognizes the Belgian’s efforts in Glasgow thus far.
“Philippe Clement has done really well to keep Rangers in the fight,” the speaker continued. Undoubtedly, crossing the finish line is difficult, and both teams still have a lot to gain, in my opinion.
“Oh, you can still have a big say in the title race,” they say. But Rangers and Celtic will have the most influence. Not from other teams, either. We simply focus on ourselves, aware that we must be exceptionally skilled to compete and attempt to defeat these teams.
“But the league will be won by the team that finds its best form between now and the end of the season.” Additionally, Rangers are now in a situation where a title fight is still possible thanks to Clement.