The Apprentice- with a twist...

As I was sitting watching the final of the Apprentice, I started to wonder who in football is the equivalent to Sir Alan Sugar. A manager who has reached the top of his industry and is respected amongst his peers. And with this in mind two names sprung to mind instantly. Two men who are currently the bench mark for aspiring managers. Two men who have delivered huge success to their clubs and developed and nutured raw talent into world class household names. Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.



So with Wenger and Ferguson being the two respected 'veterans', who are their potential apprentices? A look around the Premier League teams produces a list of names who are young and hungry for the success that the Ferguson and Wenger have enjoyed over the decades. Eventualy these two great managers will have to step down and pass over the reigns to a younger perhaps untried individual. The pressure and expectations that Wenger and Ferguson are subjected to cannot be underestimated and it is almost impossible for a young manager to experience the same intenisty in any other job. Add onto that the job of attempting to continue the dinisty created by these two greats, and the two lucky men chosen have a hell of a job on their hands. So just who out their has the potential to be the next 'football manager apprentice?' And who if any, will be given that opportunity to prove themselves at the highest level? Below are just a number of names who perhaps one day may become 'great' managers in their own right. Some may well be obvious, whilst others more obscure, but ultimatley each individual has the potential to succed in the cut throat industry that is football.



Steve Bruce- Seen by many as the potential replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson the former United defender has been building an impressive CV. His ability to unearth talent such as Wilson Palacios and Maynor Figuero has resulted in Sunderland paying £3million for his services. After working on shoe string budgets for much of his managerial carrear it remains to be seen how succesful he can be when handed a transfer kitty of significance. With this will also come greater expectation, something that Bruce has yet to really expereice.



Roberto Martinez- Bruce's replacement at Wigan, the young Spaniard has quickly built himself a repuation of creating teams who play attractive passing football. Taking Swansea into the Championship at the first time of asking with a combination of shrewd loan deals and young acadamy products the 35 year old soon became hot property, being linked with big name clubs such as Celtic and Real Sociadad.The step up to the Premier League will provide an interesting test for the ambitious 35 year old.



Nigel Adkins- Although he suffered relegation in his first full season in charge, the Scunthorpe manger has twice led his club to the Championship. With emphasis on youth and flair the softly spoken young Englishman is developing a growing repuation in the lower leagues.



Simon Grayson- After leading Blackpool to promotion and then saftey in the Championship the former Blackburn defender made the surprising decision to drop down a division to manger the 'fallen giants' Leeds United. Although he ultimatley fell short in the play offs last season, the 09-10 season provides Grayson with the opportunity to prove himself again.



Nigel Pearson- Led Leicster to promotion in his first season in charge, using a mixture of youth and experience, Pearson also led Southampton to survival the year before before being harshly sacked at the end of the season. Highly regarded within the football community the Leicster fans will hope for much of the same again, and backed by chairman Milan Mandaric there may well be every chance of that.



Darren Ferguson- The son of Sir Alex, the young Scot has built a squad centred around talent poached from non league and lower league teams. Backed by the financial clout of Darragh MacAnthony Peterborough have lept into the Championship and are decent outsiders for promotion again next season. Ferguson has proved he has an eye for talent and has spent the money he has been given wisely and is sure to strengthen again this summer.



Paul Tisdale- The mecurial manager of Exexter City has led them to two succesive promotions from two of the most difficult leagues to escape from. First from the Conference and then this season from League Two. The chance of a third succesive promotion looks unlikely with bigger clubs such as Leeds and Charlton to contend with, the chance of Tisdale testing himself against the bog boys of the Premier League in the future looks alot more likely.



Owen Coyle- Has led unfashionable Burlney to the Premier League for the first time in their History. After enjoying huge succes at Scotish club St Johnstone Coyle left to join the Lancashire club in 2007 and this season led them to play off succes aswell as the semi finals in the Carling Cup and a good run in the FA cup. He recently dismissed interest from Celtic to lead Burnley next season. The challange of attracting players to Burnley will only add to the huge challange both he and Burnley face next season.



Other names include, Alan Knill of Bury, Paul Trollope of Bristol Rovers, Lee Clarke of Huddersfield, Brendan Rodgers of Reading, Brentford manager Andy Scott.



Every manger mentioned above have experienced success of ranging degrees so far in their short carrears. Some have been given money, some have worked on a shoe string. Some have inherited talented squads and some have galvanised clubs and players. One thing they all have in common is that with their success there will come expectation, as well as tempting offers from the bigger clubs.