With Stephen Clemence now getting ready for his first game in charge of Gillingham, news has come out that a former colleague was in huge favour of him taking the job.
Steve Bruce worked with Clemence when he was in charge of West Bromwich Albion and had a simple message when the new Gillingham boss was considering the job – “Go for it!”
There would be no better judge of Clemence’s credentials, as the pair worked together for more than a decade, and having Bruce’s words of encouragement, the deal was sealed.
As reported in Kent Online, the new man in charge at Priestfield was honest about how he came to his decision. “I am really excited I have been very loyal to Steve and like he has to me. I would never have left his side for something else. I have had opportunities in the past, but when we came out of our last job he said to me: ‘It’s your time now, go and do it, you’re ready’ and that’s what I decided to do.
“Steve is a great man, he has done so much for me and when I first started working for him, I was one of his old players, he saw something in me to want to take me on. Our relationship has grown over the years, we have got closer and closer. The main reason I think he has taken me around is because I am good at my job, I like to think that.”
https://twitter.com/TheGillsFC/status/1720094561467588991
The pair had, and still do have a special relationship.
“When he heard about this interest he said to me: ‘Go for it!’. He said: ‘You are more than ready, it’s your time now’. It is quite special because he started his playing career at Gillingham and I am now starting my head coaching career here.
“We have been speaking a lot on the phone over the last couple of weeks and I know he will always be there if I need advice.”
Being out of football for a while is always time to reassess. Clemence took time away from the game but was always keen to get back in. “I have been in the game for 30 years, I had some time with my family, two or three holidays which I don’t normally get to do in the winter. We have been skiing.
“My kids are 19, 18 and 16 now and I missed a lot of them growing up. They love the football and love coming to games and being at the different clubs I have been at but I felt I owed them some time.
“I think they are fed up with me now and happy I am back at work!”
Writer’s View
Steve Bruce has been around a lot of large characters in his career, so it is fair to say he would be a good judge if someone was ready for the next level in their path. His words would have convinced an already eager Clemence and would have lifted his spirits further.
This is a new chapter for Clemence and one that he is eagerly embracing. He has some solid backing, and every chance of making a name for himself now, and not in someone else’s shadow. This of course will be an adjustment, as he will now be in the firing line if things don’t go to plan straight away. On the flip side, the rewards could be great should he hit the ground running.
