Ross County manager Don Cowie believes personal touch is key to top job as he closes in on UEFA Pro License
A little over a year since Don Cowie first stepped into the Ross County hot seat, you might think he is well-used to the rigours of management.
Having taken charge last February, initially on an interim basis before being permanently appointed in the summer, Cowie has now been leading the Staggies for 53 matches, through many highs and lows.
It is a constant learning curve as he tests himself against different managers and set-ups, and deals with managing his own squad in Dingwall.
That has meant drawing on all of the experience Cowie amassed through his 20-year playing career, which saw him in squads managed by the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Sean Dyche.
One thing that he has very quickly understood the importance of is having a strong relationship with his players, with that trust helping to build the foundations for success.
“I’ve come in during an era of football where man-management is huge,” he explained.
“You need to have that relationship with the players to get the best out of them, and I think I’m really approachable to the players and my door is always open.
“I’m always going to be honest, I’m not going to tell them something for the sake of it, but at the same time I want all of them to improve and get better.
“That’s my role in the club, and it’s just about being consistent with that no matter who it is – someone who people see as the main player in the team, or someone who is out of the squad right now. It’s about having everyone on the same path.”
Cowie has recently taken another step towards completing his coaching badges, heading out to Switzerland as part of the Scottish FA’s latest crop of pro license students.
He is one of a number of people on the course who has already gained top level coaching experience, but he still remains steadfast in his belief that a level of calmness is necessary to produce results.
"We were at the UEFA headquarters in Gevena, and it was really good,” Cowie said of the trip to mainland Europe.
"The cohort from the Scottish FA were over and it was a valuable experience learning from many key people from the football industry mixing with the fellow candidates, which was good.
"The coaching badges are over a two-year cycle, and we're nearing the end of our cycle, so the finishing line is in sight.
"I don't think I have changed as a manager much this season, just learned from things that have happened throughout the campaign.
"There are always highs and lows, so it's about trying not to get too caught up in it either way. Football changes really quickly.
"When you are the person, or figurehead, for the players, it is about being consistent with your messages and the way you conduct yourself because you don't want that to feed into the players. You want them to be as consistent as possible.
"I've enjoyed it. I have still so much to learn and get better at, but you definitely get more and more comfortable as a manager the longer you do it.”
