New Birmingham City manager Lee Clark believes he is a lot wiser and more knowing.
Clark’s experience in his first job at the held of Huddersfield Town will stand him in good stead at St Andrew’s he is certain.
Clark spent three years in Yorskhire and took Huddersfield to the League One play-off semi-finals, then the final.
Last season, with Huddersfield in fourth place, he was surprisingly sacked.
Simon Grayson took over and what was essentially Clark’s team triumphed at Wembley in the play-off final against Sheffield United, in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Clark wore his heart on his sleeve during the 178-game spell. And he says he is still burning with passion.
But a more cool, calculating passion perhaps.
He has reflected plenty since his dismissal in February.
“Lots of aspects,” he says, when asked what lessons he has learned
“I grew as a manager in that tenure.
“I’ve had time to reflect since February, I’ll be bringing certain aspects to Birmingham that I’ve thought about.
“One thing is the work ethic, desire and passion I have for the game.
“I’d say I’m a very buoyant character, passionate.
“Possibly animated – but that might change from the Huddersfield days, since I’ve got a little older.”
Clark, 39, insists that his Blues side will perform in a style that will please the supporters.
Chris Hughton won a lot of praise for the way Blues attacked and scored goals.
“Without a doubt I will aim to entertain the fans.
“My record speaks for itself. In my two full seasons at Huddersfield we were in third position in the league for the highest goalscorers, the next season we were fourth only behind the clubs who got automatic promotion and when I left in February we’d scored more than anybody else in the league.
“I like my team entertain – and be solid of course – but score lots of goals and get the fans on the edge of their seats and be productive.”
Clark was favoured by Blues’ board after they whittled down candidates to a shortlist of four.
Alan Curbishley, Roy Keane and Phil Brown were the others names under main consideration.
But it’s Clark’s predecessor Chris Hughton who still looms large after the work he did last season.
“I’d like to carry on the momentum Chris Hughton and his staff built last year,” says Clark, who has Terry McDermott and Derek Fazackerely on his backroom team.
“Looking at the basis of the squad, there’s a great mixture of experienced players, who are still hungry to be successful, and young players who are learning the game but are very, very exciting.
“It’s not often you come into a football club where things have gone well but Chris has created a magnificent atmosphere around the club both with the playing staff and the supporters and I have just got to carry that on.”
Clark adds: “There doesn’t need much to be changed here, it was a superb season by everyone connected with the club.
“We have just got to try and enhance that and get a little bit more luck maybe than the team had and go that one step further to getting that promotion spot, which just didn’t happen.”
The size of Blues and the potential captured Clark’s imagination.
And he hopes the Blues faithful will continue to get behind the players.
“History of the club, passion, size, potential, passion of the supporters,” he lists.
“Birmingham’s a big, big club. Whenever I’ve been lucky to be here as a player or on an opposition coaching staff, the passion, drive of fans has been superb.
“You know when you go round and see the facilities it’s a Premier League club in waiting.”
