Brooking: I was tempted by Pardew's job

  • by Graeme Howlett
  • Monday, 17th May 2004

FA impresario and former West Ham United caretaker manager Trevor Brooking has admitted for the first time that he was tempted to take on the vacant managerial post - now filled by Alan Pardew - on a full-time basis.

Brooking, who took charge of West Ham for a second time following the sacking of Glenn ROeder back in August 2003 always said that he had no interest in taking on the post full-time - despite massive backing from Hammers supporters.

But in an interview with the Guardian, published today, the 55-year-old former England international reveals that he was indeed tempted to take on the role permanently.

"The three weeks I had in the Premiership last season flew by, so I didn't really give it a second thought," he revealed. "But this season was freakish because of Alan Pardew's gardening leave. I was in the job for eight weeks and got into a routine.

"Management certainly took over my life. Even after a good result you get greedy and start watching videos of your next opponents. The fact it went on for so long made it harder because people said, 'Oh, you should carry on.' The temptation was there.

"But at some stage you're going to have that blip - and I had such a strong rapport with the fans. Did I want to jeopardise that? My family were never too keen.

"But I miss the dressing room banter. I've never been one to be too detached or say I'm the boss; I like to be open and I've never tried to hide."

Brooking, who was also employed as a non-executive director at the time of his temporary appointment now has no formal ties with the club, since taking on the FA's £200k-per-year Director of Football Development role, in which he is charged with developing the country's 13 to 16-year-olds.

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