Coaching is like working in the kitchen and only those who can stand the heat can remain there.
That was the submission of Hamilton boss Brian Rice. Rice who some say stands a chance of being sacked by the Scottish league side following series of poor results, said it is not easy to achieve the required result at all times, describing coaching job as one full of uncertainties, adding that those in the job must be prepared for unexpected.
“This is the job we’re in. People call for your head, but do people call for the heads of folk working in factories or driving buses? No, but this is the industry we’re in and we’ve just got to accept it,” he said
Rice who took a lead coaching role for the first time in January when he was appointed head coach of Hamilton Academical, also admitted during an interview that pressure is piling not only on the technical crew but also on the players as the team has failed to earn a win in the last five outings.
Hamilton which has Nigeria born player Korede Adedoyin in their players list, occupy the last position in the 12-team Scottish league table with 12 points in 18 matches played so far and has been tipped to go on relegation. But Rice insists he has the capacity for the relegation fight.
“There is pressure on me every day. Pressure to put on good sessions, to pick the right team, to win games.
“But no one asked us to come into this industry. It was my decision and any pressure that comes; I need to deal with it.
“I think I deal with it OK. You get praise when you do well but when you don’t then you have to expect the flak and try to do better.
“I have to have the broad shoulders to take the heat off the boys. They go out to try their best and everything else boils down to me.
“I do take it personally. I take things home with me and live with it, but it doesn’t stop me wanting to do it and striving for better.”
The Accies chief whose side can climb off the bottom if they beat relegation rivals Hearts on Saturday – said: “Nothing surprises me in football but I don’t like to see anybody losing their job, particularly at this time of year.
Korede who joined Hamilton on loan from Everton scored 13 goals in 21 games for Everton under 18s but has largely been missing in Hamilton’s embattled fight against relegation.