Sam Tonks

This week, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was sacked by AS Monaco following a dismal stint in charge, amassing just five wins in league and cup, showing the transition from punditry to management isn’t easy. Yet, over at Moss Rose, an Invincibles team-mate has won two out of his last five games, closing the gap to safety to two points. When he took over in November they were adrift at the bottom of the Football League.

He has stepped into League Two football seamlessly winning five out of 12 games, taking them to two points from safety, his name is Sol Campbell.

Appointed as Macclesfield Town manager on 27^th November, it was a surprise to say the least for the Football League’s bottom club. Arriving into his inaugural press conference as a manager, his first training session with his players had overrun, he apologised to the assembled press but didn’t seem flustered for a moment.

After 15 job applications, numerous knock-backs and a brief stint in politics, Campbell was evidently delighted to get the chance he felt he had deserved, reports Andy Hunter for The Guardian.

“You have to start somewhere,” Campbell said. “I am prepared to start anywhere. The opportunity came up and there was no messing about.

“Now there’s usually 10 people between you, the owner and getting the job. I liked that scenario. You’ve got to take your opportunities and I felt it was the right time.

“Going with England and the Under-21s was great for me. I was halfway through that when I got the phone call. Sometimes you’ve just got to roll with it. Football is always moving and you’ve got to keep up with it.

He isn’t a man who lacks confidence. A two-time Premier League winner at Arsenal and a 73-cap England centre half, Campbell stated how his pedigree would benefit Town, as nicely as possible.

“I know Macclesfield fans will probably think: ‘What’s going on here?’” he said. “But you’ve got an international footballer who has been one of the best players in the world coming to your club. I think there’s a nice mutual balance there.

However, they’d won just two league games before his arrival, they now have seven wins and are two points from safety with revived hopes of survival after ending a five-year football league exile last season.

Everyone underestimated Gareth Southgate, many have laughed at Campbell’s claims and already written him off before he started. If he does somehow achieve maintaining a place in League Two for Town, it will be a phenomenal feat in his first job and for a team who spent just over £1 million on transfers.

As just the eighth BAME (Black, Asian, Minority ethnic) manager in the English football league system, it would also be a great representation especially showing the perseverance he’s put in to earn his opportunity.

Patrick Vieira hasn’t faired too badly with Nice so far, Campbell is progressing with Macclesfield Town, that just leaves Martin Keown to steady the ship at Leicester City.