Bradford City manager Graham Alexander reveals he and Eddie Howe have a frosty past ahead of tomorrow's clash
Bradford City come to St James' Park on Wednesday evening for a 7:45 pm kick-off in the third round of the Carabao Cup against holders Newcastle United.
While there's a great story in the tie for Bishop Auckland-born, lifelong Newcastle fan Andy Cook, who plays up front for Bradford, there is a bit of history between the two coaches, too.
Graham Alexander was a Burnley player when Eddie Howe took over as manager there back in 2011, and with Alexander at 39, he was one of the first players Eddie dropped during his initial squad shakeup.
Eddie Howe went into Burnley with a fresh idea and tweaked the lineup, which meant Graham Alexander, who had been captaining the side under the previous boss, was dropped from the first eleven.
Graham Alexander was not a fan of Eddie Howe
Speaking to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus (via The Northern Echo), Alexander recalls how he felt at the time and how is views have changed since becoming a manager himself.
“I was caught in that crossfire between one team being created out of another after a new manager comes in. I was probably the biggest casualty of that, which I didn’t handle particularly well.
“I was obviously desperate to play. Because of my age, I knew I didn’t have five or six years in front of me to enjoy football. But Eddie had his own plans for what he wanted to create at Burnley, which I understand now as a manager myself.
“He was very coach-minded, he was on the grass every day working with the players and had a clear idea how he wanted them to play. But the period I had under him was difficult for me – and it probably was for Eddie as well coming to a new club and having that changeover.
“I’d obviously had a fantastic time at Burnley and been a really important player for them in the previous two or three seasons. But these things can happen. I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t particularly like Eddie at the time and I’m sure he didn’t like me. I don’t think I handled that period great.”
The pair will shake hands at St James' Park
Alexander says that's all water under the bridge now, and the two have been in touch a fair bit since then.
“He welcomed me to the mad house! I’ve 100 per cent used that period from his perspective and mine to help me manage similar situations and try and learn from then.
“I didn’t understand at the time - but I totally understood the job Eddie had to do as soon as I became a manager.
“We’ve had communication since, even in the last few months. He’s a brilliant manager who has had a fantastic career and will continue to have an amazing one. I’ll be looking forward to seeing him again. It was a difficult period for both of us, but one you have to go through as a player and certainly as a manager anyway.”
