Q&A with Russell Martin Part II

IN THE SECOND PART OF OUR IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW, RUSSELL MARTIN REFLECTS ON THE PROGRESS MADE OVER HIS FIRST SEASON IN CHARGE, AND GIVES AN INSIGHT INTO LIFE AWAY FROM THE DUGOUT AND THE TRAINING PITCH.

What’s the best thing about Swansea?

The people, the beaches. Like I said, my family absolutely love living here. To the point where Gilly’s kids and my kids have said ‘if we get sacked can we stay living here for a while?!’. Which is nice, they’ve got an awareness of the job and the precariousness of it. But the people have been incredible, the humility, how friendly they are, how honest they are. And I love the beaches too.

Back to football, what was the best atmosphere in a game that you played?

Scotland vs. Ireland at Celtic Park, we won 1-0. Shaun Maloney scored. It was just an incredible atmosphere. Playing against Ireland at Celtic, Deano the goalie coach was actually in the stands that day. An incredible, incredible atmosphere.

And what was the best atmosphere in a game you’ve managed?

I’d say the Cardiff game earlier on in the season. The build-up was big, and then Lakey (Huw Lake) made me feel so nervous before the game. He came to my office, bless him, and he was a nervous transmitter. I felt alright until then. He came in and after that I felt terrible.

He was probably trying to calm you down.

He was. He always comes in before the game and I love spending some time with him, but that day he didn’t say anything. He was looking around, drinking his drink. I felt really nervous after that. But the boys were amazing, and the atmosphere was incredible. Everyone went out afterwards, and I went to Mumbles, to Underhill Park to play a bit of footy with the kids and stuff. Just a lovely, lovely day.

If you could have played in any derby? What would it be?

I was really fortunate to play in the Old Firm derby. I have a really bad record in it over two games, but the atmosphere and the occasion is incredible. I feel really grateful to have been a part of that at one point, even though it didn’t go very well. The one I would love to see is Boca Juniors and River Plate in Argentina. That’s on the bucket list, we talked about the bucket list earlier. I’d love to go when my kids are older and take them to it. Hopefully avoid the violence and the chaos, but I’d love to experience it.

Messi or Ronaldo?

I don’t think it’s going to surprise you. Who do you think I’m going to say?

Messi.

Yeah, Messi. Both incredible players, and we’ve been really lucky to grow up watching them. But yeah, Messi, he’s a beautiful footballer.

Who was the best player you played with?

Wes Hoolahan, or Wessi as the Norwich fans used to call him. Unbelievably talented player. Small in stature but the courage to take the ball anywhere. Some of the stuff he did was scary at times when it was in your own box, but an incredible talent. He got better and better with age really. It took a while to get going in his career, and then when it did, he was unplayable at times for us sometimes. Most Norwich players we played with would say Wes. Most Norwich fans I think would say he was one of the best they’d seen. On his day, he was incredible.

Do you think you’re the best dressed manager in the EFL?

I don’t know… No, no I don’t. A few people have asked me that before, and it’s like ‘you select your outfits’ and I don’t. I just wake up on a Saturday morning, see what’s been washed and dried, and pick what I feel comfortable in. There’s loads of better dressed managers than me.

I think you’d be up there.

I appreciate that. No one dresses quite as well as you, Soph. Your trainer collection is unbelievable. He’s not in the EFL, but I love Pochettino, he’s the main man.

Pep?

Yeah, he’s cool, isn’t he?

Who would you say is your sporting icon?

I had loads of different ones growing up. But I would say now, I really love watching tennis, so when I look at the guys who have been at the top for so long, Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, it’s been an incredible battle between them over the years. I love Federer, he’s so graceful. He’s unbelievably well-mannered, even when he loses, he’s a really good loser. He wasn’t at the start of his career, he’s changed a lot. I think he’s just beautiful to watch. The way he does things, his technique and style. He doesn’t just win, but it’s the way he does it. So yeah, probably Federer.

Of all the managers you’ve played under, who would you say inspired you the most?

I think who I played the best football under and who got the best out of me would be Paul Lambert. He had me at Wycombe and then he took me to Norwich. I played with him for I think it was five seasons in the end, so he was quite a big part of my career. It took a lot to earn his trust, in my first game for him he said I’d never play for him again, I was that bad in midfield. He tells everyone that story. But as it went on, I earned his trust and played a lot for him. He took me to Norwich, got to the Premier League, so he gave me that opportunity as well. I owe him a lot really, hopefully I repaid him over that period of time, but yeah, he was brilliant for me.

What is your favourite football kit ever?

That’s a good question. I had a Tottenham kit, no one else liked it at all. It was purple, it was their third kit. It had like a flash through it of blue. I think Pony was the make. I absolutely loved it. I wore it for about 4 years until it got too small. Probably because I didn’t have any other kits. But yeah, I enjoyed that one.

Do you have any pre-match superstitions?

No, not one. Never did as a player, don’t now. I don’t do any superstitions at all.

What’s your favourite goals you’ve ever seen live?

That is a good question. I would say it was probably the play-off final goal at the Principality Stadium. That was in 2004 maybe? Brighton against Bristol City. Leon Knight tucked away a penalty. I was there with all my family, all my friends. That’s what makes it, not the goal. It was a great, great day.

He played for us too, Leon Knight.

Yeah, I played with him at Wycombe a few years later. He was a character, wasn’t he?

Just a bit. Can you sum your playing career up in thee words?

In three words? Okay. I may be able to do it in four or five. No lets try and do it in three, okay? Bang average mostly.

Back yourself!

No, no. I loved it. Achieved more than I thought. That’s a lot of words, isn’t it?

Well it’s more than three.

We’ll try and squeeze that into three somehow: better than predicted.

Final question, we’re flying through these: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I really like the quote: ‘people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care’. When I talk to my kids or anyone else about what’s the most important thing, I think its about treating other people properly. Showing empathy and kindness in a brutal environment, in football especially, but also in the world when there’s plenty of other stuff going on.

Well that’s it, thank you. I’ve certainly learnt a lot.

I don’t think you have!

I have, trust me.

I tried to answer as quickly as I could, sorry.!

Well it was faster than I expected. And hopefully everyone reading has gotten to learn more about Russell Martin as a person, so thank you.

If you want to watch Russell's interview in full, then you can head to our official YouTube page HERE.

Following the conclusion of our series of ‘History Makers’ features recalling Swansea City’s historic 198081 season, club historian Gwyn Rees profiles one of the standout stars of that era; Dzemal ‘Jimmy’ Hadziabdic.

At Ninian Park in 1976, Wales played in a crucial European Championship qualifier against Yugoslavia, and though the game would ultimately see Wales bow out of the competition, the Welsh striker John Toshack would remember the skilful midfielder who played for the opposition that day.

He was slightly built, but was comfortable in possession, and his name was Dzemal Hadziabdic, forever known as Jimmy.

The record rise through the Football League by John Toshack’s Swans was reaching its peak, and when the team were in Scotland on a pre-season tour in 1980 in readiness for the forthcoming Second Division season, the manager was approached by the player’s agent expressing interest in his client moving to the Vetch Field.

Once a pre-season friendly had been arranged against First Division outfit Tottenham Hotspur, it gave the player a chance to show the watching public what he could bring to the side. Due to a slight cold, and lack of playing time, Hadziabdic would only play the first half, but what a half he had. Such was his contribution to the side, that when the first half ended, he effectively did a lap of honour on leaving the playing field, receiving a standing ovation from all corners of the ground. It was a performance that saw him offered a contract at the club.

It took a £160,000 transfer fee to bring the Yugoslavian to Wales, but it proved to be money well spent. It took a few weeks to gain the work permit required, and so it was in a League Cup tie at Highbury against Arsenal that Hadziabdic made his competitive debut for the Swans.

Even though he played in midfield for his country, he played as an attacking fullback for his new club, and formed a lethal partnership down that flank with Leighton James.

Given his ability to read the game, he was rarely troubled by his opponents and the switch to defence proved a seamless one.

An excellent first season culminated in promotion at Preston North End, with Hadziabdic also having the distinction of winning the Swans Player of the Year award at the season's end.

Also, Hadziabdic would win his first trophy a few weeks later, picking up a Welsh Cup winner’s medal after defeating Hereford United in a two-legged final.

A regular name on the team sheet in Swansea’s first season in English football's top-flight , Hadziabdic would play consistently throughout the season, but unknown to people outside the club he was suffering from a knee injury that was causing him considerable discomfort, and was affecting his confidence.

Still, at the end of this historic season, he and his teammates could feel immense pride in obtaining a sixthplace finish, while gaining another Welsh Cup to add to the trophy cabinet with a victory over Cardiff City.

By the beginning of his third season at the club, injuries were restricting Hadziabdic’s playing time, and he spent most of that season on the sidelines watching his team-mates fighting, but ultimately losing the battle, to stay in the top-flight.

A public dispute with manager Toshack in March 1983 signalled the end of the Yugoslav’s time at the club, and he moved back to his homeland where he took up a coaching position. The dreadful conflict that engulfed Yugoslavia saw Jimmy and his family caught up in the war and its ethnic tensions, and the family moved to the Middle East where he managed various clubs with great success.

He eventually became manager of the Qatar national side, who came within a whisker of qualification for the World Cup held in France in 1998.

He found more success with club side Al-Wakra, and moved to the United Arab Emirates side Madinat Zaid before becoming something of a managerial nomad in that region, taking charge of another seven clubs, though unable to replicate his earlier success.

In August 2015 he was offered the job of Iraq national coach but, having arrived in the country in readiness to be unveiled as the new man in charge, he unexpectedly left 24 hours later, returning to Qatar where he is based, even though his family still live in his adopted city of Swansea.

An extremely popular player with team-mates and supporters alike, Jimmy will forever be remembered as a skilful player and a modest man.