Iron manager Nick Daws spoke highly of his relationship with assistant manager Andy Dawson after both penned their contracts to become a management duo, following a spell in interim charge from late March which saw the side undefeated in eight out of nine fixtures.
Talking to iFollow Iron, Daws believes both he and Andy are in a better position to take the side forward following their two previous spells in charge and highlighted that his assistant is a perfect compliment to him.
ON DAWSON LEAVING HIS PPDC ROLE...
ND: He has enjoyed it (his role as Professional Phase Development Coach within the academy) and it has given him the ability for him to lead a team and make those decisions - match day decisions and decisions on team selection. That puts him in a better position to be my assistant this time round, which he didn’t have last time.
If we had been offered the job two years ago, I think we would’ve both taken it and achieved what we’ve tried to do. However, now Andy has had those 12 months working with the youth team, he’s a more confident character and a more confident coach. It makes it easier for me, because there are going to be times where I’m going to be taken out of that situation because of the nature of the job, but he’s an outstanding character.
ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP…
ND: We’re so alike in many ways, but he’s the opposite to me in terms of the way we think. We both have very similar views on the game, but we both have different personalities in the way that we make our demands and get across. He’s the perfect balance for me and I couldn’t ask for anybody better really. Going into management, that’s really important. The person working alongside you doesn’t necessarily have to be your friend, but Andy is a close friend. He gives me exactly the things I don’t have and that’s how it should be. It’s a perfect set-up.
ON DAWSON'S INFLUENCE IN THE EIGHT-WEEK INTERIM SPELL…
ND: (Prior to being in interim charge) he’d sit in the stand after he’d done his work with the youth team on a Saturday and watch the game without being attached to it and it riding on the result. He’s contributed massively to our results and has been a massive support to me. When we did the job last time, he’d just done his UEFA ‘A’ License. Now he’s qualified and he’s going to do his Pro License as soon as that becomes available. He’s 100% more experienced than last time, but ultimately he’s a good guy and has great game understanding.