Chapter One: Dare to Dream
It was a long time coming. Eight years since he had hung his boots, and Dominick Robillard had not been approached for a senior management job yet. Oh sure, he had put his name forward, circulated his CV a bit but nothing. Absolutely nothing. In the meantime, his former teammates and opponents were all making quick headway in their new management careers, all the while Dominick was stuck as an assistant manager at some Ligue 2 youth academy. He was thankful, no doubt, for the opportunity to still be in football and his six years at the academy (as a coach and, now, an assistant to the manager) had been great learning experiences for him. He learned how to spot and deal with young talent in ways he had never imagined before; he learned how to deal with the hormones of youth that can turn a dressing room around quickly; most of all, he learned how to remain focused and determined on his goal. Patience, as they say, is a virtue; and virtues are habits. Habits must be formed and Dominick was forming the habit of patience these last years in northern France's youth academy.
It's not that his name had no recognition: he was a world-class midfielder in his day, playing for the likes of Lyons, and Milan. He finished his career out at Tottenham where, at 34, he finally retired. He took three years off, earned a few coaching badges on his own and traveled around the French Riviera before he finally landed his present (and persistent) gig with the kids. "It's a stepping stone," he told his wife. "I'll work with the kids for a few years, get my coaching badges, and soon enough I will be snapped up by a senior team to manage." That's not exactly how it happened, but the dream was still alive; he wasn't done yet.
***
Another training session, another routine day at the pitch. The kids were particularly tired today after a hard-fought match against some local rivals yesterday. That didn't stop the manager from running them to death today. The looks on their faces told the story of what was in Dominick's head: "What kind of idiot is this? We played, and won, a massive game yesterday, and we are being run like dogs today." Needless to say, Dominick would do things differently. Just what he would do was his focus for contemplation in the car ride home.
"We need a paradigm shift, new blood in the office and a renewed sense of direction," he thought to himself. "We need to push hard, but more importantly we need to push smart." He turned on the radio to the sports news to hear what was going on. Maybe a new job opportunity would come up.
***
Nothing as far as he could tell. It was all the same. Every day. As he came up the driveway, Dominick's wife burst out the front door of their spacious suburban home.
"Dominick, Dominick, you need to come quick! There's a message for you!"
"Honey, calm down. Is everything alright?"
"Alright?! Alright?! Bloody hell Dominick, just listen to the message!" Her frantic tone caused a sense of alarm and trepidation in him. He approached the phone slowly, picked it up and pressed it against his ear. He was sweating a little. His wife was grinning ear to ear, which reassured him, but he didn't want to be let down; he didn't dare to dream about what was on the other end.
***
He should have dreamed, because any dream he could have imagined would have been paltry next to reality. Daniel Levy, the Chairman at Tottenham Hotspur, had called and left a very detailed message. Dominick listened again:
"Good afternoon Dom, it's Daniel Levy at Tottenham. Listen, could you ring us back when you have a chance? Mauricio has had to resign due to some family issues and we're looking for someone to lead us through the season. It's only for one season, in a sort of temporary role, but we can look at extending you should we think that you're working out. Anyway, give us call. We remember your time at White Hart Lane fondly and would love to have you back."
Dreams do come true. Dominick called his club and advised them of the change. They were chuffed to be getting such a good compensation for a youth coach, and from such a big club. The deal worked for everyone; but for Dominick, the work had just begun.
It was a long time coming. Eight years since he had hung his boots, and Dominick Robillard had not been approached for a senior management job yet. Oh sure, he had put his name forward, circulated his CV a bit but nothing. Absolutely nothing. In the meantime, his former teammates and opponents were all making quick headway in their new management careers, all the while Dominick was stuck as an assistant manager at some Ligue 2 youth academy. He was thankful, no doubt, for the opportunity to still be in football and his six years at the academy (as a coach and, now, an assistant to the manager) had been great learning experiences for him. He learned how to spot and deal with young talent in ways he had never imagined before; he learned how to deal with the hormones of youth that can turn a dressing room around quickly; most of all, he learned how to remain focused and determined on his goal. Patience, as they say, is a virtue; and virtues are habits. Habits must be formed and Dominick was forming the habit of patience these last years in northern France's youth academy.
It's not that his name had no recognition: he was a world-class midfielder in his day, playing for the likes of Lyons, and Milan. He finished his career out at Tottenham where, at 34, he finally retired. He took three years off, earned a few coaching badges on his own and traveled around the French Riviera before he finally landed his present (and persistent) gig with the kids. "It's a stepping stone," he told his wife. "I'll work with the kids for a few years, get my coaching badges, and soon enough I will be snapped up by a senior team to manage." That's not exactly how it happened, but the dream was still alive; he wasn't done yet.
***
Another training session, another routine day at the pitch. The kids were particularly tired today after a hard-fought match against some local rivals yesterday. That didn't stop the manager from running them to death today. The looks on their faces told the story of what was in Dominick's head: "What kind of idiot is this? We played, and won, a massive game yesterday, and we are being run like dogs today." Needless to say, Dominick would do things differently. Just what he would do was his focus for contemplation in the car ride home.
"We need a paradigm shift, new blood in the office and a renewed sense of direction," he thought to himself. "We need to push hard, but more importantly we need to push smart." He turned on the radio to the sports news to hear what was going on. Maybe a new job opportunity would come up.
***
Nothing as far as he could tell. It was all the same. Every day. As he came up the driveway, Dominick's wife burst out the front door of their spacious suburban home.
"Dominick, Dominick, you need to come quick! There's a message for you!"
"Honey, calm down. Is everything alright?"
"Alright?! Alright?! Bloody hell Dominick, just listen to the message!" Her frantic tone caused a sense of alarm and trepidation in him. He approached the phone slowly, picked it up and pressed it against his ear. He was sweating a little. His wife was grinning ear to ear, which reassured him, but he didn't want to be let down; he didn't dare to dream about what was on the other end.
***
He should have dreamed, because any dream he could have imagined would have been paltry next to reality. Daniel Levy, the Chairman at Tottenham Hotspur, had called and left a very detailed message. Dominick listened again:
"Good afternoon Dom, it's Daniel Levy at Tottenham. Listen, could you ring us back when you have a chance? Mauricio has had to resign due to some family issues and we're looking for someone to lead us through the season. It's only for one season, in a sort of temporary role, but we can look at extending you should we think that you're working out. Anyway, give us call. We remember your time at White Hart Lane fondly and would love to have you back."
Dreams do come true. Dominick called his club and advised them of the change. They were chuffed to be getting such a good compensation for a youth coach, and from such a big club. The deal worked for everyone; but for Dominick, the work had just begun.
