While Jason Tindall took centre stage at his first press conference as AFC Bournemouth manager, his son Levi proved an excellent support act.
Tindall yesterday faced the national and local media for the first time since his appointment as Eddie Howe’s successor on Saturday.
He fielded questions on a host of subjects, including stepping into his predecessor’s shoes, his playing style, his squad and his plans for the future.
One of the more heart-warming segments of the interview centred around his ten-year-old son Levi, a prolific forward player who is currently progressing through the club’s academy ranks.
Tindall revealed a question posed by him as he weighed up the possibility of accepting the job during a recent family holiday had resonated with him.
Asked by Daily Mail writer Adrian Kajumba what had been behind his decision, Tindall replied: “Eddie made a personal decision with the football club to step away from management for the time being.
“When I sat down and spoke to the family and was deciding what to do, there weren’t many choices.
“Did I put my name forward and want to be considered for the job or did I step away and take time out or stay in the background and continue that way.
“There was also pressure from my son. He’s a big football enthusiast and kept asking me if I was going to be the manager.
“The more I said to him “I’m not sure” he said “well, what else are you going to do?”
“When I asked myself that question, it made my decision a little bit easier.”
Paul Brown of the Daily Star then asked Tindall to elaborate on the discussions with his family: “We were on holiday when I received the call from Ed letting me know he’d made his decision and what that decision was.
“Me and my wife were having discussions and, kids being kids, they were listening in and hearing what was going on.
“Obviously, because they know how close our relationship was and what it entailed, my son kept asking me what I was going to do.
“That’s where it started. Every couple of hours, I had my son in my ear saying “dad, what are you going to do? Are you going to be the manager?”
“I said I hadn’t made a decision and just needed a little bit of time to think about it. I said everything was quite new. He just turned to me and said “what are you going to do if you’re not?”
“The more you think about what are you going to do, you think a little bit deeper and that’s when I ended up reaching the decision I did.”
Peter Rutzler, who writes for The Athletic, asked Tindall what type of manager he would be, either hands-on everywhere or a head coach.
He replied: “As a manager, you have to take responsibility solely and be accountable for the team you pick, the style of play and decisions that are made.
“I know that’s what’s going to have to happen and I’m prepared to do that. I like to think I’m good with people and can get the best out of them with my own ideas and what I want to implement moving forward. I’m really excited and am looking forward to doing that.”
Local freelance football correspondent Graham Nickless asked Tindall whether he was aware of a Harry Redknapp comment regarding everybody loving you when you are a coach but wives and children hating you when you start to leave out players.
“I did hear something along those lines!” replied Tindall. “I think every manager will tell you that’s the worse part of the job.
“When you’ve got a squad of 22 players and can only pick 11 to start a game, you are going to have a lot of people who are going to be disappointed and upset. That then filters home no doubt to the kids and wives and everyone else.
“I understand that’s part and parcel of being a manager. I think you have to try to handle those situations in the best way you can and, providing the players apply themselves in the right way, I’ve got no problem with that.”
Asked what would happen if his son started questioning any of his decisions, Tindall quipped: “He already gives me enough grief. I think if I can handle him then I’m sure I’ll be able to handle these guys!”
