Planet Swans ArchivesIt was February when Roberto last visited Yeovil, less than 24 hours after news of his appointment had filtered through. He had beaten off competition from the likes of Gary Megson and Dean Saunders to land his first managerial role but it’s easy to say that so far very little has gone wrong during that stint in the hot seat.
Prior to last weekend’s postponed game, his side were top of the league and ready to continue that position before the tragic events unfolded but this weekend they can put these things right and win at a ground where they have lost on all four visits – never scoring a goal in the process.
And with the two sides being the last two beaten play off finalists they share a degree of hurt that Yeovil appear to be managing better than the Swans did last season.
So what of those first eight months in management? It’s been a natural transition for me and it’s exactly what I expected,” Roberto told the Western Mail. “It was an early move to management. But as soon as you have decided to accept the challenge, you don’t have time for feelings.
“It might be a cliche to say it’s a 24-hour job but I can assure you it’s true. Your feelings become secondary and as soon as I took the job my thoughts were all about Swansea City, not me.
“Even sitting at Yeovil I was just focused on the team. Being a manager is such a tense job, with so many things to get your head round, that you don’t really have time to think about your personal feelings.
“I just remember that I was instantly focused on the squad. I knew most of the players already and I was sitting in the stands just trying to assess how we could get a result in the next game.
“It can be difficult to detach yourself from the job. But I enjoy that aspect of it. If you couldn’t handle that side of things, you wouldn’t be a manager.
“This is probably the first time I have even thought about my own feelings. Even when I’m with my family, I can switch off and enjoy being with them, but in some way I’m always thinking about what’s next for the club.”
Roberto has yet to make an appearance whilst in his managerial role although he has admitted before that he could turn out in the FAW matches come the New Year but for now his place is on the sidelines, where he feels he now belongs “Swansea City is the only club I would have given up my life as a footballer for
“My life has always been about playing football and I wanted to keep going as long as I could.
“I knew I could play on but I gave it up for the club. I couldn’t see myself in any other challenge.
“It was the right place and the right time and it has been the right decision for me. I had another year’s contract as a player but I have no regrets whatsoever.
“I don’t think about it now, when you’re a manager you have other things on your mind.
“You need to think about the other 30 professionals around you, their lives and their football. There’s no time to dwell on your own playing career.
Garry Monk has recently spoken about the incredible team bond that he experiences at Swansea and that is something not lost on the Spanish manager “If you look back, the challenges we had to get through together were huge.
“Whether it was surviving relegation, getting promoted or moving stadium, it created a strong sense of unity.
“Having played alongside the players helps me associate with them a lot more than some other managers can.
“In that sense going from being a team-mate to the manager has been a huge advantage because I know the players inside-out.
“I know what they can do on the pitch, how they will react in adversity or when things are going well. I have inside knowledge and the more you know about your players, the more you can help their game.
“People make it look like a big deal if I drop someone for a game but I don’t see it that way.
“As a manager I have an overall picture of the 46 games and cup competitions. All the decisions I make are based on that picture.
“I’ve never had a problem dropping someone because there are always reasons behind it. As long as you are honest with the players, they will understand it and focus on their next challenge.
“That’s one of the big differences for me now. I have to think about everyone whereas the players just need to focus on their next game.
“As a player you have to look at what’s immediately in front of you. As a manager I need to look much further ahead.
“As a manager I now have a greater responsibility than I did before
“I always knew it from the beginning and I knew what the fans required.
“Accepting their opinions is part of the job. They are very passionate and they love Swansea City.
“I’m in the same boat and we will always have a special bond because we all want the best for our football club.”
