Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler says he wants to manage a team in the UAE and going on the current rate of sackings, the former striker might get his chance sooner rather than later.
“I’ve got my pro (coaching) license now,” Fowler told Sport360 on Thursday, “and as you know the pro-license is the highest badge you can get in any football.”
“What I need now is a bit of a chance. There’s obviously stuff in the UK I keep my hand to but if I have to go overseas to become the manager I want to be (then I’ll do it).”
The 43-year-old has already had one spell in overseas football, managing Muangthong United in the Thai League 1 in 2011-12.
“I feel as those I’ve got a lot to offer the game,” he continued, “I feel as if I’m knowledgeable. In fact I don’t feel as if I’m knowledgeable, I know I’m knowledgeable.
“I’ve got a lot to give to the game. That’s why I went away and done my Pro-license because I wanted people to maybe take me serious.
“But I’m just looking for a chairman or an owner who’s got a little bit about them to give me a little bit of a go, and guaranteed I’d never let anyone down.”
And if that owner happened to be in the UAE…?
Fowler on the sideline with Gerard Houllier during the UEFA Cup Final against Deportivo Alaves in 2001
“Without a shadow (of a doubt),” Fowler confirmed. “I’ve been going to Dubai in the UAE for over 20 years now and I don’t claim to know everything about the game (in the UAE) but I have seen games.
“And I’ve seen how passionate some people are about football, whether its experts or even Emiratis. They can get behind the game when they want to.
“I do like the football over there, I really do. And if it means me becoming a manager and being given that option in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, I’d love a stab at that, I’d love a chance at that.
“If that what it takes for me to become a manager then I’m all for it.
“So regardless of whether it’s the UAE or Australia or anywhere else, I’d love a chance. I really would.”
Fowler would certainly find himself at home with other stars who have excelled in the English game, such as former Crystal Palace star Yohan Cabaye and former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo, now plying their trade with Al Nasr.
“That’s what you want,” agreed Fowler, “any league in any part (of the world), as long as you’ve got players who are coming there and you’ve got people who are supporting the league, it gives that chance for the league to grow.
“That’s all you can ask for and when you’ve got that then I think everyone’s relatively happy.”
Talking of managers he admired he mentioned three bosses he played under during his many years at Liverpool.
“I’ve been quite lucky because I’ve played under all different levels of management,” said Fowler, “I loved Roy Evans because his man- management was superb.
“Technically and tactically he probably wasn’t as good as a Rafa (Benitez) or Gerard Houllier. Roy would probably forgive me for that.
“But Rafa and Gerard Houllier, their attention to detail was incredible, it really was.
“It’s easy for me to say I want to take everything (but) I love the man-management side of it. I think if you’re a great man-manager you can bring out the very best of players.
“I think obviously you need to be knowledgeable, you need to know the technical side of the age now, but it’s also important you get the good team (support staff) around you as well so you’ve got every angle covered in terms of football.
“So I would prefer to go down the great man management route as well as doing the technical side as I think that is probably the way forward.
“I don’t think you can have one here and one there – I think you’ve got to have a little bit of everything, certainly in terms of the modern game.”
DHL Swing Against Cancer Series on November 1
Fowler is in the UAE to support the DHL Swing Against Cancer Series, at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Thursday November 1, along with another former football great Matt Le Tissier and England cricket star, Ian Bell.
It’s a cause that he feels very passionate about.
“I think anyone in any walk of life, whether it’s a friend or a person within the family, whose been involved with cancer,” explained Fowler, whose own family has been effected more than once.
“Sadly it’s a horrible disease and people all over the world have lost family and friends because of this disease.
“So it’s really about trying to raise a little bit of money, trying to raise a little bit of awareness and get more and more people involved with trying to raise that little bit of money for unbelievable charities.”
If you’d like to join Robbie at the DHL Swing Against Cancer Series on November 1 Golf and Dinner only spaces are still available. Just email [email protected] to book your spot.
