Patterson Interview
From the Oxford Mail
FOOTBALL: Patterson misses out on Bees job
By Jon Murray
DARREN Patterson spoke last night of his "great disappointment" after failing to land the Brentford manager's job.
The Oxford United youth team coach and former Northern Ireland international was offered the post at the League One club earlier in the week, but negotiations broke down at the 11th hour over the terms of the contract.
The Bees' directors turned around and yesterday appointed caretaker boss Scott Fitzgerald their new manager instead, with Alan Reeves continuing as his assistant.
Patterson, who almost got the manager's job at Griffin Park last summer, has denied claims emerging at the west London end that the deal broke down over wages.
It's understood Brentford were insisting on a short-term get-out, which could have led to Patterson being out of work in three months' time had he not been able to turn the club around.
They haven't won for 20 games, and it seems there is little money to try to rebuild the team.
Patterson said: "They offered me the job on Monday night and offered me a 2.5-year contract, but we never got around to talking about the money. The money wasn't an issue.
"It's unfortunate because it was an opportunity for me to be a manager at a League club which, as everyone who knows me, knows is what I want to do.
"I'm obviously disappointed not to get the job, but it's an opportunity now to concentrate on what I like to do."
Patto showed himself a very capable manager in his three matches in charge of United following the sacking of Brian Talbot last season - before Nick Merry took over the club and brought in Jim Smith as his manager - and he was very downhearted to have missed out on a great opportunity for the second time in less than a year.
But he paid tribute to the people at Oxford United, who had not wanted to stay in his way.
"It's unfortunate because it was an opportunity for me to be a manager at a League club which, as everyone who knows me, knows is what I want to do."
"I've been in constant contact with chairman, Kelvin Thomas, and the gaffer, and they have been fantastically supportive and willing to give me advice and the benefit of their considerable experience.
"This is not something I went after. Brentford approached me and went through all the proper channels. I haven't applied for any jobs while I've been employed by Oxford United and it's not something I would do."
Patterson was planning to bring in Gary Waddock as his No 2 at Griffin Park.
He said: "Brentford's a great little club, and I fully believe I could have done a good job there if I'd been given the right tools."
A compensation package had been agreed between Brentford and Oxford United.
The Bees have admitted that Fitzgerald has not been given a new two or three-year deal. His contract of employment focuses purely on surviving in League One this season.
An experienced striker, Fitzgerald was on loan at Oxford last season. He made two league appearances, scoring once, in the 3-2 home defeat by Grimsby.
He had also scored against Oxford United, for Brentford, a month earlier, in the Football League Trophy first-round tie at Griffin Park, which finished 1-1, with the U's winning 4-3 on penalties.
Meanwhile, Patterson is now concentrating on his work with United's Under 18s, who he has led to the top of the Puma Youth Alliance League South West conference.
"I'm in a win-win situation," Patterson reflected. "I'm at a club that I love working for in any capacity, and have got a fantastic relationship with the management and staff at all levels.
"And I am looking forward to concentrating all my energies on the youth team again, and putting my heart and soul in the job here."
8:00am today
FOOTBALL: Patterson misses out on Bees job
By Jon Murray
DARREN Patterson spoke last night of his "great disappointment" after failing to land the Brentford manager's job.
The Oxford United youth team coach and former Northern Ireland international was offered the post at the League One club earlier in the week, but negotiations broke down at the 11th hour over the terms of the contract.
The Bees' directors turned around and yesterday appointed caretaker boss Scott Fitzgerald their new manager instead, with Alan Reeves continuing as his assistant.
Patterson, who almost got the manager's job at Griffin Park last summer, has denied claims emerging at the west London end that the deal broke down over wages.
It's understood Brentford were insisting on a short-term get-out, which could have led to Patterson being out of work in three months' time had he not been able to turn the club around.
They haven't won for 20 games, and it seems there is little money to try to rebuild the team.
Patterson said: "They offered me the job on Monday night and offered me a 2.5-year contract, but we never got around to talking about the money. The money wasn't an issue.
"It's unfortunate because it was an opportunity for me to be a manager at a League club which, as everyone who knows me, knows is what I want to do.
"I'm obviously disappointed not to get the job, but it's an opportunity now to concentrate on what I like to do."
Patto showed himself a very capable manager in his three matches in charge of United following the sacking of Brian Talbot last season - before Nick Merry took over the club and brought in Jim Smith as his manager - and he was very downhearted to have missed out on a great opportunity for the second time in less than a year.
But he paid tribute to the people at Oxford United, who had not wanted to stay in his way.
"It's unfortunate because it was an opportunity for me to be a manager at a League club which, as everyone who knows me, knows is what I want to do."
"I've been in constant contact with chairman, Kelvin Thomas, and the gaffer, and they have been fantastically supportive and willing to give me advice and the benefit of their considerable experience.
"This is not something I went after. Brentford approached me and went through all the proper channels. I haven't applied for any jobs while I've been employed by Oxford United and it's not something I would do."
Patterson was planning to bring in Gary Waddock as his No 2 at Griffin Park.
He said: "Brentford's a great little club, and I fully believe I could have done a good job there if I'd been given the right tools."
A compensation package had been agreed between Brentford and Oxford United.
The Bees have admitted that Fitzgerald has not been given a new two or three-year deal. His contract of employment focuses purely on surviving in League One this season.
An experienced striker, Fitzgerald was on loan at Oxford last season. He made two league appearances, scoring once, in the 3-2 home defeat by Grimsby.
He had also scored against Oxford United, for Brentford, a month earlier, in the Football League Trophy first-round tie at Griffin Park, which finished 1-1, with the U's winning 4-3 on penalties.
Meanwhile, Patterson is now concentrating on his work with United's Under 18s, who he has led to the top of the Puma Youth Alliance League South West conference.
"I'm in a win-win situation," Patterson reflected. "I'm at a club that I love working for in any capacity, and have got a fantastic relationship with the management and staff at all levels.
"And I am looking forward to concentrating all my energies on the youth team again, and putting my heart and soul in the job here."
8:00am today
