"They wanted to jump on their own bandwagon. Bobby Charlton had never made it as a manager. Bobby Moore hadn't either. I think they never stopped trying to put me in the same category. That was the road they went down with me"
About this Quote
In the quote attributed to Bryan Robson, he reviews his football management profession in contrast to the professions of other English football legends, Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore. Robson recommends that there was a prevailing understanding or expectation that he, like Charlton and Moore, would not prosper as a manager regardless of their illustrious playing professions. The use of the expression "jump on their own bandwagon" implies that others, maybe the media or football experts, were quick to classify him in a fixed story or stereotype about previous gamers struggling to shift into effective managerial roles.
Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore were iconic figures in English football, renowned for their accomplishments on the field. However, their supervisory careers did not mirror their success as gamers. Charlton had a quick stint in management with Preston North End, while Moore managed Southend United and Oxford City, but neither attained considerable success in those functions. Robson is suggesting that he faced similar hesitation and examination based on this pattern observed with Charlton and Moore.
Robson's commentary is a reflection on the obstacles dealt with by legendary gamers in showing themselves once again as supervisors. There is typically an implicit expectation that excellent gamers will naturally shift into equally terrific managers, however the skillsets required for each function are substantially various. Robson seems to reveal a sense of aggravation or resignation about the way he was viewed, acknowledging that others were quick to draw parallels in between his managerial profession and those of his predecessors based simply on the outcomes rather than the subtleties of his specific journey.
Moreover, his words highlight the often extreme realities of the football world, where former splendor on the pitch does not ensure success off it. This belief speaks with broader styles of how legacies are shaped in sports, where previous accomplishments can cast long shadows, affecting the perceptions of future undertakings.