It has been announced that Hamilton Academical’s manager Alex Neil will take the reins here at Norwich after Neil Adams’ resignation left the position vacant. He’s been in talks over the last couple of days, before compensation and personal terms were agreed between the two clubs. All that was left for him to do was to say goodbye to the players, staff, and friends he had made at the Scottish club, before moving on to the next stage of his career with Norwich.
The board had undergone a search to find a new manager and Alex Neil was one who scouts had always returned from matches with high praise. It seems that McNally has opted for the young player/manager (at H.A) rather than someone who’s been out of the job for a while. The hunger to make the most of what is a wonderful opportunity for Alex will hopefully correspond onto the pitch, and into the players. Team spirit and cohesion is certainly something that has been lacking this season and Adams retained all dignity when realising he wasn’t the man to rekindle it. His decision to resign did come as a surprise, but not as much as when Alex Neil’s name came exploding out of various news reports.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to manage a club of the stature of Norwich City.”
It’s a risk for the board; one they must hope pays off. They’ve been criticised for sacking Hughton too late, appointing Adams in the first place, and expecting Phelan to resolve the latter’s problems. If it all goes down the drain for Alex Neil, the board may go spiralling down with him.
But Alex Neil is a man who arrives with reputation. He’s been at Academical since his playing days – 2005 to be precise – and has remained there ever since. But over the years his reputation as a leader has grown, and in 2013 he was appointed in a player/manager role, meaning he could even sub himself on. What it did mean was that he had a great relationship with the players, and a strong love for the game itself. His efforts were rewarded when he got Hamilton promoted in his first season, beating Morton 10-2 on the final day (Hamilton’s biggest ever result) and have so far managed 39 points from 20 games this season. Hamilton sit just 4 points behind the SPL leaders Aberdeen, which is an incredible feat considering they were in the second tier just half a season ago. Beating Celtic along the way, Neil has turned some heads who now think he has the potential to go really far – McNally obviously shares that same belief.
With big games against Dundee and Celtic in the next two weeks, Accies fans will be disappointed to see their manager go. Accies fan Neil Graham said on twitter: ‘Alex Neil changed Hamilton Academical’s football; a great player & manager. You have the next Sir Alex #attackingfootball’. While that may be exaggerated, he’s just one of many who believe he will go far in the world of football. Let’s just hope he finds success with Norwich!
@STVSport: Alex Neil and his assistant Frankie McAvoy arrive to say farewell to their Hamilton players. Tactically astute manager a big loss to #accies but need to wish him well #alexneil #ncfc
— Kevin Muirhead (@mullso1979) January 8, 2015
Alex has been a tremendous player, hugely influential on and off park over 10 years, great 17s & 20s coach too, and a good personal friend
— Scott Struthers ™ (@scottsas) January 8, 2015
@AcciesFans @NorwichCityFC Good Luck Alex Fantastic Manager, all Accies will be backing you. Norwich to win the league.
— AcciesLad (@AcciesLad) January 8, 2015
@TheCarrowCrowd apparently AN placed great emphasis on youth at Hamilton – may even improve their opportunities!
— Cory (@iwritethings23) January 8, 2015
