Sol Campbell describes himself as ‘one of the greatest minds in football’ after missing out on Oxford job
Oxford decided to opt for Craig Bellamy instead of Campbell, and the former England defender thinks his formidable football intellect may be behind their decision
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sol Campbell has described himself as “one of the greatest minds in football”, after narrowly missing out on the manager’s position at struggling third-tier side Oxford United.
Campbell, the former Tottenham and Arsenal defender who made 73 appearances for England, was in the frame to replace Pep Clotet, who was sacked last month after less than six months in charge of Oxford.
However the side look set to hire Craig Bellamy, who has been coaching at Cardiff City.
And Capmbell, who has no previous managerial experience, is aghast that he was snubbed by the lower league side.
“I did go (for the Oxford job) and they didn't accept me,” he said during an appearance on the Arsenal podcast Highbury & Heels.
“Maybe it was a lack of experience, things like that, but it's a full circle. Experience? How do I get experience? Well I need a job to get experience.
“I don't want to go too low that it's a struggle, and I don't want to go too low that I'm under someone and thinking "what am I doing here?" I would rather be managing a club myself.”
Campbell also wonders whether his formidable intellect may have deterred Oxford from hiring him.
“I'm confident and it's not like it's rocket science to run a football club, especially when you get to that level,” he added.
“If you're intelligent enough and a quick learner you will learn pretty soon, within two or three games, what the team needs, training-wise, to survive in that league, get better in that league, to get in the play-offs or even win the league.
“I'm intelligent enough, it's not like I played on a fox and dog pitch all my life. I can't believe some people, I'm one of the greatest minds in football and I'm being wasted because of a lack of experience or "maybe he talks his mind too much".
“Go to Germany, they love people who speak their minds. They got the jobs. I'm sorry that I've got a mind, but don't be scared of that. That should be something you want at your club, but obviously not.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments