Woodward out to prove critics wrong
Clive Woodward has spoken of his determination to prove wrong the critics who claim he will not succeed in making the transition from rugby World Cup-winning coach to performance director at Southampton and ultimately into management.
The former England rugby coach joined the Saints this season after overseeing a disastrous British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.
Most commentators immediately predicted Woodward would fall flat on his face as the relationship with manager Harry Redknapp would not last.
However, Woodward is enjoying his time at St Mary’s and has set his sights on a bigger prize.
“I’m sure there are prejudiced people who think I shouldn’t be here, but that was always going to happen,” he said.
“A lot of people would like to see me fall flat on my face. That’s human nature but that’s been the story of my life.
“People have often told me what I can’t do rather than what I can do.”
He added in The Observer: “It is a way of of getting me into football in a way that I can justify my salary.
“You’re not under the pressure the manager is under but I’d like to get back into that situation at some stage. I do enjoy it.”
