The admiration coming from English rugby towards Joe Schmidt is reaching new levels. From reports in France saying that the RFU are looking at Schmidt as a potential replacement for Stuart Lancaster, to some eyebrow raising comparisons.
England World Cup winner Will Greenwood has compared Schmidt to legendary football manager Brian Clough. In his column in the Telegraph, Greenwood talks about how both men moulded their players into their systems, and not vice versa:
Some coaches pick players and then decide the style they want the team to play. Schmidt knows what he wants and then goes about persuading his players that his way is the best way to win a game.
He relies on his research and his ability to create a strategy that is efficient, exciting and full of surprises. He reminds me of Brian Clough and the way the legendary Nottingham Forrest manager described how he discussed tactics with his players: ‘“We talk about it for 20 minutes and then we decide I was right.”
Given Clough's success - taking a division two Nottingham Forest team to back to back European Cup titles in just five seasons - it's a massive compliment to pay Schmidt. His success and methods have been well known in Ireland since he arrived in 2009.
Clough was known for how outspoken and scathing he could be. It would appear a strange comparison in that sense, but of course - we've never been in those famed Monday morning video sessions.
See Also: French Newspaper Taking The Piss With Reports Of Lancaster's Replacement
See Also: Joe Schmidt Has Had His Say On Those Horrible Links To The England Job
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
