'The only source of knowledge is experience'. Albert Einstein
Barcelona B and UAE; the men placed at the helm of arguably two of the biggest jobs in world football could not have come from more diverse backgrounds, but share one burden in common - expectation. Though, it is another word with the same beginning that is the focus of this column's attention.
There are many suggestions as to why Roy Hodgson was somewhat surprisingly named England manager on Tuesday; Harry Redknapp was too expensive to buy out of his contract, Hodgson will muck in at the soon-to-open national training base at Burton, that ultimately he's a yes man who will keep his nose clean.
What is undeniable is the man's experience, having managed 18 teams - including three national sides - during a 36-year coaching career, spread from Asia to Ashton Gate, and Finland to Fulham. He is perceived as the judicious man that has been there and knows how to do it; how to control big names, and how handle the pressure of performing on the big stage. But does experience guarantee success?
Similar eyebrows were elevated upon the promotion of the unknown Tito Vilanova to manager of FC Barcelona. In stark contrast to Hodgson he has only been involved in management at the highest level for five years as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man, but is seen to have learnt and progressed enough to be given the arduous task or maintaining his mentor's monumental achievements.
Though the name of Vilanova may not be recognised, the process in which he was employed certainly is. After all, Guardiola travelled the exact same path before him and is now considered one of the finest managers in the world. Before him, Frank Rijkaard had limited club experience in charge of Sparta Rotterdam before taking the job. And their successes certainly cannot be questioned.
Whilst such an employment scheme may seem bizarre to those outside of England, it is very much becoming the norm across Europe. In this country there seems to be a straight refusal for a so-called big team to take on, or even consider, anyone lesser than 'a big name'. Even those considered 'lesser teams' in the Premier League rarely look to employ within or take an educated risk on a manager from the lower leagues as the stakes are seen to be too high.
It was a point recognised by Gabriel Marcotti in a recent interview with F365: "Since David Moyes took the job at Everton 10 years ago, there have only been two other managers appointed by Premier League clubs from the lower leagues - Paul Ince at Blackburn and Roberto Martinez at Wigan. That's absolutely extraordinary."
Such is the fine mark between success and failure in football management that goal-line technology wouldn't look out of place. Consider Roberto Di Matteo, who a year ago was seen as another prospect who couldn't cut it in the top division, to now a potential Champions League and FA Cup winner. If the latter two fall into place and he achieves what many 'great names' at the club couldn't, then how will be thought of? As a manager who just happened to be in the right place and will be quickly moved on? Or the man to lead Chelsea forward for the next 10 years?
On a national level, competing countries have not been afraid to place a man in charge who they believe has the right vision, mentality and knowledge of the team that experience is considered with less importance. Consider Jurgen Klinsmann - a man with no prior experience in management - who has been rightly widely accredited for the current success of the German national team after having a clear vision for youth development and fast flowing football.
Dunga, Van Basten, Blanc, I could go on. The point being that they all share variations of relative success after precious little management experience. In fact, they are all men that share far more comparisons to that of Vilanova, and dare I say Stuart Pearce, than Roy Hodgson.
Ultimately, experience does not guarantee success, and a lack of it certainly does not point instantly to failure. But both Vilanova and Hodgson will learn a lot from their team, the task ahead of them, and of themselves, over the coming months and potentially years. Here's hoping that two very different recipes can produce the same results.
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