Dundee United interim boss Liam Fox has confessed that he “wasn’t ready” for his ill-fated spell as Cowdenbeath manager.
Fox, 38, was just 32 years of age when he took the reins of the Blue Brazil in 2016, seeking to revitalise a club that had endured successive relegations to League Two.
With two years of youth coaching at Hearts under his belt prior to striking out on his own, Fox failed to revive the Fifers’ fortunes.
He was dismissed after nine months in the job, with Cowden toiling at the foot of the fourth tier and enduring a run of 10 defeats in their previous 11 fixtures.
“I was 32 when I took the Cowdenbeath job and it was difficult,” Fox acknowledged. “It was too early for me.
“I’d only been coaching a year or two at Hearts with the under-age groups when the chance came up and, although I took the opportunity, I found it tough. I probably wasn’t ready, to be honest.
“I didn’t know the level, didn’t know the league and had never been in part-time football. I’d been full-time throughout my career.
“So, it was really challenging.”
Medicine
Since then, Fox has worked for Hearts, Livingston and Dundee United, latterly playing a pivotal role in the Tangerines’ fourth-placed finish under Tam Courts as the club’s No2 last term.
The 38-year-old is now favourite to succeed Jack Ross on a permanent basis and believes that Cowden learning curve was invaluable.
“The lessons I learned through that period have really stayed with me,” continued Fox. “You learn so much about the job when you are thrown into it and face adversity.
“More than that, you learn about yourself and your personality. I picked up lessons there I will keep with me for the rest of my life.
“It hit home to me: experience is what you get after you need it — I was an example of that. And going through that experience years ago has definitely helped me in the last few weeks.
“When you have tough times it’s all about how you deal with them and how you move forward.
“If things are not going right, you have a choice. Do you roll over and accept it or do you take your medicine and come back?”
‘I’m not sure where this is going’
Fox guided United into the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup with an impressive 2-1 win at Livingston; the Tangerines’ first triumph in West Lothian since 2005.
He also masterminded their maiden domestic clean sheet of the campaign to secure a 0-0 draw at Motherwell, albeit United’s attacking threat was borderline non-existent.
Nevertheless, the improvement has been notable.
A step in the right direction
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“It has been a busy month — there’s no doubt about that — but I have really enjoyed the experience,” added Fox. “The players have been really good and the support staff have been so much help.
“Dave Bowman and Hinchy (Craig Hinchliffe) have been a massive help. It’s been good to listen to two experienced guys who have had a lot of time in football.
“The sports scientists; the kit men — everyone. They have all been a huge help to me in the last few weeks.
“But ultimately I’m the one making the decisions. As I’ve said, I’m not sure where this is going to go but I am doing my best and enjoying every day until told otherwise.”
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