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John Collins wants to be a top Manager

last updated Saturday 28th October 2000, 9:21 AM
JOHN COLLINS has revealed his intention to follow Scottish legends Sir Alex Ferguson and George Graham into top-flight management.

Fulham's midfield general, recruited by boss Jean Tigana to lend his experience to his young charges, agreed to step down a division from Everton to learn from his close friend and former Monaco team-mate.

But last night the former Scottish international revealed he eventually intends to lead a team of his own to top-flight glory.

Speaking ahead of today's trip to Sheffield Wednesday, Collins, 32, said: "Of course I want to get back into the Premiership. That's one of the reasons why I came to Craven Cottage.

"But I also want to learn from Jean and his team so I can become a manager in my own right.

"What club will it be? I don't know. Celtic was a club I loved playing for and I have a lot of affection for Monaco.

"But it's a long way down the line. It would have to be a big club with as good organisation and training facilities as there are at Fulham. It is as well-run as any club I have been at."

Collins is under no illusions about the size of the task facing a player keen to make the transition into manage-ment.

But mention the failures of John Barnes at Celtic, Steve Bruce at Huddersfield and even Paul Bracewell at Craven Cottage, and he remains unfazed.

"I wouldn't call them failures. Everyone makes mistakes." he said. "All managers have blundered some times.

"You need to have the ability to spot good players, to spot young players, to work on players' minds.

"And it helps if you have been a top player yourself."

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