Stuart Pearce Interview with OLBG

Stuart Pearce MBE (born 24 April 1962) is a renowned English football manager and ex-player, popularly known as "Psycho". Pearce's aggressive style of play defined his long and illustrious career.

Professional Career

Pearce's professional career began as a defender, playing for clubs including Wealdstone, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, West Ham United, and Manchester City over two decades. His most celebrated period was a 12-year stint at Nottingham Forest, where he frequently served as captain and became the club’s top international representative.

Notable Achievements

Pearce made 76 international appearances while at Forest, contributing to his 78 England caps and captaining the team nine times. In 2016, Pearce temporarily retired to play a match for Longford, a Gloucestershire team often referred to as "the worst in Great Britain", as a show of support for grassroots football.

Managerial Contributions

After hanging up his boots, Pearce focused on football management, with his first role as a caretaker manager at Nottingham Forest in 1996. He served as an assistant coach for Peter Taylor during Taylor's short reign as England manager.

Stuart Pearce Interview April 2024

Speaking exclusively to OLBG, Stuart Pearce has warned West Ham to be careful what they wish for following talks with Ruben Amorim.

The former Nottingham Forest defender has also called out the ‘dangerous’ line of thinking from his old club after their public complaint regarding VAR.

Pearce has also pinpointed how Arsenal have a huge advantage in the title race by being able to put pressure on Manchester City by playing their games in hand first.

The ex-England Under 21 boss has also explained his relationship with David Beckham after leaving him out of his squad for Team GB at London 2012.

Q: What do you make of West Ham’s interest in Ruben Amorim?

SP: “I think if there's a change at West Ham in any way, shape or form, I hope that's the choice of David Moyes.

"When I look back on what he's done, and I've been fortunate to be on the inside working with him, he's changed the culture of the football club and made it a lot more professional. I think they've had three consecutive European campaigns which is unheard of in the club's history.

“He's put a trophy in the cabinet, which hadn't happened for a number of decades and he’s brought in the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paqueta and so many more. The squad is as strong as it’s ever been. They’re eighth in the table and he’s done so much good.

“Now, I hope it's David's choice whether he decides to stay or go. If he decides to go, then that's his choice. If he doesn't, then the club need to be careful what they wish for. As I say, I think I see more good than certainly some of the chat I hear outside of West Ham.

“On Amorim, If he'll end up on these shores, I've no idea. But word gets around if there's top coaches in world football and the fact that his name's being mentioned at places like Liverpool and West Ham, that does tell you something.”

Q: What do you make of Nottingham Forest’s statement on social media?

SP: “Having watched the three incidents that they feel aggrieved about, I can understand why they feel that way initially.

“If any team has three incidents like that in one game you would feel aggrieved and would of course be frustrated. I've looked at all three and I thought there could be a case for a penalty for all three. I would have said there was definitely one penalty in there.

“I can understand why they're aggrieved but what you can't do as a football club in my opinion you can't start pointing fingers at allegiances. 

“We've all supported a team as a kid and that includes referees in this country. Everyone's got an association with a football club. I don't actually see the benefit of not giving a penalty to Forest, even if it had been the case, if you’re Luton then the draw would’ve been the best result.

“Forest talked about standing an official down from the game in Stuart Attwell, I think that’s a dangerous line of thinking in our game. We pride ourselves on this country about being fair and the officials being impartial. I think the officials have been really good if I'm being quite honest. 

“From my experience as a manager and now as a pundit, I think we got some of the best referees in the world - and personally I think that their choice of wording was inappropriate.”

Q: Is it impossible to look past Manchester City in the title race?

SP: “I think there'll be twists and turns in this title race. I think it's been a brilliant one for all of us to sit back and just enjoy the three teams going at it. 

“I did say last summer that I didn't think City would regain the Premier League. I think I thought last season and the Treble would take it out of them too much.

“At the moment they're proving me wrong, but I think there'll be a few twists and turns. But I think that if City get three points away at Brighton on Thursday, which won't be easy, that makes them the big favourite.”

Q: Do Arsenal have a big advantage having been able to get their points on the board first?

SP: “It’s definitely an advantage for Arsenal being able to get their points on the board first. It puts pressure on the opposition when they play, no doubt about that. 

“For Arsenal, Tottenham away will have a big say in whether Arsenal get their hands on the trophy. It's going to be an interesting run, that is for sure.

“Of the three teams in the race, if any of them get beat again then I think that’s their chances.”

Q: Is it disrespectful that West Ham are allegedly talking to a potential new manager?

SP: ”I think it’s always been in football over the years that clubs speak with potential new managers behind the scenes.

“You'd be very naive if they are going to make a change not to have spoken to anybody.,

“I'm interested in people saying that things need to turn around, when Moyes walked through the door West Ham were in the relegation zone and the dressing room wasn’t great.

“He’s turned it around. Make no mistake about that, three European campaigns and now eighth in the Premier League. I think he's done a lot right at that football club and that's not to be underestimated.

“Probably after Dave leaves the football club, people will look back and say, you know what, we didn't realise what a good job he'd done and I think that'll be the case.”

Q: Would a lack of Premier League experience mark it harder for Ruben Amorim to succeed?

SP: “I don't think you need Premier League experience to succeed. Where did Jurgen Klopp get Premier League experience? Pep Guardiola?

“I don't think it really matters. You know, Roberto Di Zerbi has come in and impressed too. It's a brilliant league, arguably the best in the world, but I think experience in this league is irrelevant.

“Recruitment is the most important job at a football club.”

Q: Is Liverpool an attractive position for Ruben Amorim or a risky one after Jurgen Klopp?

SP: “To follow Jurgen Klopp is not going to be an easy job. I think they've got a defined style of play. He's developed a really good squad there and he’s a cult figure at Liverpool. 

“It will be a difficult job for anybody to follow, but he's leaving Liverpool in a really good shape.”

Q: What are your memories of managing at London 2012?

SP: “From a managerial point of view, it was the best thing I've ever done. It was incredible to unite the team and to showcase my profession under a bigger umbrella.

“To walk into the Olympic village, to be part of an Olympic Games, nothing compares to it. I’ve played and coached at World Cups but this was absolutely enormous.

“Seeing athletes like Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, it was incredible and our players didn't know what to expect. That was until we went to kit out at Loughborough and Clive Woodward came in and gave us a talk as well as Dame Kelly Holmes, all of a sudden the penny dropped on them. 

“The players like Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards absolutely loved it and embraced it. We went to play at the stadiums, whether it being Cardiff or Wembley or Old Trafford, there were people there that bought tickets for the Olympics to come and watch football in the Olympics because it was the Olympics. They weren't necessarily football fans.

“So I think we opened the eyes of people that weren't actually your normal run-of-the-mill football fans that came and really enjoyed the day out watching football.”

Q: Did you ever clear the air with David Beckham over the selection controversy?

SP: “It was probably the toughest decision I've ever had to make in management. You know, it was a horrible decision because I knew how David was desperate to be part of this and part of the Olympics and be part of the football team. 

“I've been in England squads with him, so I know how passionate and proud he is to represent his country. On this occasion it was GB. But I also had to do a job of management.

“The balance of the squad was important as well. What people don't quite understand is I could only pick three over-age players and the balance of the squad was vitally important for me in the form of certain individuals.

“Giggs and Bellamy were fantastic at the time and I think Richards was the other overage player because I needed a central defender. So it was probably, you know, by far the toughest decision I've ever had to make in management.

“It’s not one that I took with great pride, if I'm being quite honest with you, but it was the right decision to make for the fairness of the squad and give the squad the best opportunity of going as far as we could.

“The only time I spoke with David was when I informed him that he wouldn't be in the squad, you know, which to be fair, for duty of care to him.

“In the first meeting I ever had with him, all the overage players were asking about if he had an interest in playing for the team, but that didn’t mean they were in the team.

“I saw David play live twice in LA and once in Salt Lake City and I watched every other game that he played leading up in a I think nine month period leading into the Olympic Games so I'd done duty of care as best I possibly could.

“I made him no promises from the outset so when it was time for me to pick a squad I didn't ring everybody and say you're not in the squad there'd be far too many players but David I think was the only person I rung and said look I'm sorry to say that you’re not in the squad.

“That was the last conversation I had with David. I wouldn't say we're great friends, we never have been, but I think somewhere down the line he'll look back and say at least I was honest and upfront with him.”