Hello and welcome to a very special Greet the Gaffer episode of Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast! I'm your host, Mike Dowling, and I was joined by the newest man in the hot seat, Chris Agutter, or Aggie as he prefers to be called. Coming in during a busy period—six games in four weeks—Chris got candid about his quick start, his coaching background, and his unwavering confidence in the project at Sutton United. It's a must-listen if you want to understand the man leading the team forward!
Episode Highlights
Chris’s first few weeks have been a whirlwind, but he shared that the welcome from the club and supporters has been "brilliant," making him feel instantly "at home". He emphasised that his willingness to engage, whether through a Meet the Manager event or an open training session, is a direct reflection of his feelings towards the people he is representing.
https://shows.acast.com/sutton-united-talk-time/episodes/greet-the-gaffer-with-chris-agutter
The conversation dove into his early life, including his football-obsessed childhood—influenced by his father, a former professional player and coach. We even talked about how he got "pelters" for receiving farm produce in his first Eastbourne paycheck!
The Gaffer gave us deep insight into his coaching style, revealing an influence from Dutch masters like Johan Cruyff and a focus on "Votel football". He later shared that a key lesson has been remembering that he’s "dealing with human beings". His leadership style focuses on being authentic, straight with people, and fostering a strong connection with players to ensure that feedback—even the tough kind—is received well.
Guest Insights and Interactions
Chris spoke extensively about his decision to leave a secure environment at Brighton to follow his ambition to lead, a decision backed by his wife. The move to Sutton United was an "unbelievable opportunity" due to the club's infrastructure and the chance to showcase his style in the National League.
Crucially, his confidence is built on a track record of winning and his belief in an "unwavering" approach to football, aiming for an aggressive, front-foot style. He and his staff—Ben, Deano, and Frankie—share a collaborative approach and trust built over time, all united by a common footballing vision.
Key Quotes (Using the Episode Title)
The most telling moment came during a discussion about the toughest interview question: what happens if it doesn't work?
Chris Agutter: "It will [work]."
This quote perfectly encapsulates the Gaffer's mindset. He's not here to talk about relegation; he’s looking upwards.
Other Notable Quotes:
"We're going to do absolutely everything to help get us out of the ditch we've walked into."
"The best way to defend is to have the ball."
"[Hayden] was so blatantly obvious that he was someone who could help us."
Takeaways
A Clear Vision: Agutter is committed to an aggressive, possession-based style. His focus is on clarity of expectations and player development.
The Human Element: Success isn't just X's and O's. It's about authentic leadership, common sense, and building rapport with players as "human beings".
Ambition is Sky High: Despite the current situation, the goal is not merely survival but climbing the table and evolving the club, backed by an essential fan base.
Hear all this and much more—including his thoughts on squad changes, the injury list, and his dream coffee date with football legends—by listening to the full episode of Greet The Gaffer with Chris Agutter now! Likes, shares, and comments really help us grow. Find us on all social media platforms at @SuttonPodcast.
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