Soccer

“Recruitment Has Fallen Below The Required Standard”: Chris Turner Blames Instability For Manchester United’s Struggles

Published: May 20, 2025, 12:00 PM
1 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025, 10:47 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov
Manager of Manchester United Ruben Amorim

Manager of Manchester United Ruben Amorim (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Chris Turner is a revered figure in British football. As a goalkeeper, he guarded the nets for notable clubs such as Sunderland, Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Leeds. Under the guidance of iconic figures like Sir Alex Ferguson, Turner experienced firsthand the evolution of the game. In this exclusive interview with RG, he shares his insights on the changing role of goalkeepers, the transition from player to coach, the rise of data analytics, and the mental demands of the sport.

The role of a goalkeeper has evolved significantly since your playing days. What was goalkeeper training like back then, and what did you focus on during your career?

“When I started playing, I focused on the basics: kicking, distribution, crosses, and shot-stopping. From ages 16 to 25, I did a lot of strength training, particularly leg work for power and distance in kicking. During that period, the back-pass rule changed, and I had to adapt to playing with the ball at my feet. Fortunately, I enjoyed playing football, so controlling and passing the ball wasn’t a big issue for me. I also concentrated on building physical presence and strength.”

What were the biggest challenges in transitioning from being on the pitch to managing from the sidelines? How did your experience as a goalkeeper influence your managerial style?

“I always aspired to be a coach – not just a goalkeeping coach but one who could work with all players. At 30, I went to Scotland for three summers to earn my full coaching qualifications. I began coaching at Leyton Orient and then moved on to youth teams at Leicester City and Wolves. My managerial career started at Hartlepool United. The transition felt natural because working with youth players like Robbie Keane, Emile Heskey, and Joleon Lescott helped me develop my coaching style. I learned a lot about organizing players, coaching them individually, and identifying talent, which made the step up to first-team management more manageable.”

Scouting used to rely heavily on instinct and experience. Today, data plays a massive role. How do you perceive the impact of analytics on player recruitment and match preparation?

“When I started, analytics were almost non-existent. At Hartlepool United, we reached the League Two playoffs three years in a row, and after the second year, the chairman asked if I knew anyone who could give us that extra edge. I reached out to Howard Wilkinson, who connected me with George Wilkinson. George had worked with Watford and the Norwegian national team. He would attend our matches, take videos, and compile data on shots, crosses, recoveries, and other metrics – all manually. That was 25–30 years ago, and now clubs have entire analytics departments.

Despite the advancements, I still believe that watching a player in person, speaking with them, and understanding their mentality is irreplaceable. Thomas Frank at Brentford, despite being data-driven, agrees that face-to-face interaction remains crucial in recruitment.”

You’ve captained and managed teams. In your view, what key leadership qualities are essential for building cohesive and successful squads?

“Successful recruitment and strong analytics go hand in hand. A knowledgeable sporting director, scouts, and data analysts must work as a team to identify players who fit the club’s playing style and the manager’s vision. Building a cohesive backroom staff is as important as assembling a talented squad on the pitch.”

Footballers face immense pressure both on and off the field. During your career at clubs like Manchester United, how did you handle mental pressure, and what advice would you give to players today?

“Stay off social media. After every big match, players can be targeted for mistakes, missed penalties, or sending-offs. Back in my day, you had to develop mental toughness to handle setbacks – whether it was being dropped from the squad or losing games. Today, clubs have welfare officers and social media managers, but my advice remains the same: stay away from social media, ignore the criticism, and focus on your game. If you can’t handle criticism, you won’t make it as a professional footballer.”

You played under Sir Alex Ferguson, a managerial icon. What was it like working with him, and what did you learn from that experience?

“Sir Alex was a winner, and he instilled that mentality in everyone at the club. When he arrived from Aberdeen, where he had tremendous success, he brought that winning mentality to Manchester United. Gordon Strachan, a close friend of mine, told us how Sir Alex had transformed Aberdeen into a winning team, and he did the same at United. He was the first manager I noticed who genuinely cared about the youth system and the entire structure of the club. His attention to detail and relentless drive to win set him apart. It was no surprise to see him achieve the success he did.”

As a former Manchester United player, what are your thoughts on the current state of the club and its future?

“Earlier, you asked me about what it takes to build a successful squad. The recruitment at Manchester United has fallen below the required standard to compete at the top level. Over the years, too many managerial changes have disrupted stability, preventing the club from establishing a clear playing philosophy. Managers like Mourinho, Van Gaal, and Ten Hag have won trophies but haven’t been given enough time to build something lasting. United needs stability and consistency, starting from the roots up. Recruitment needs to improve to bring in players who align with the manager’s vision and the club’s identity. Otherwise, they’ll continue to struggle.”

Soccer Reporter
Xhulio Zeneli is a football expert and analyst with a diverse background in legal, technical and editorial roles across the global football industry. With more than 10 years of professional experience, he has worked in various capacities as a coach, scout, analyst, football lawyer and journalist. Zeneli has contributed to media outlets including Cupello, Tribal Football, The Mastermind Site and Dosja.al, and has managed major events such as Roma Camp Tirana and Valencia Camp Tirana. Fluent in Albanian, English and Italian, he is currently based in Tirana, Albania.
Interests:
F1
UCL
FIFA

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Zach Lowy
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Zach Lowy is a seasoned freelance football journalist with more than a decade of experience writing for top-tier news outlets. His expertise and insights have also made him a sought-after guest on radio and television, including appearances on BBC, SiriusXMFC, and other prominent sports platforms.

Before joining RG, Zach contributed to well-known sports websites, including FotMob (2024–present), BetUS (2023–present), and BET Central (2019–2024), where he built a strong reputation for in-depth analysis and compelling storytelling.

A graduate of George Washington University with a degree in global sports journalism, Zach leverages his multilingual skills to conduct interviews and report in both Spanish and Portuguese. This linguistic ability has enabled him to engage directly with major football figures and cover prestigious tournaments, such as the 2016 Copa América and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Throughout his career, Zach has interviewed legendary players such as Simão Sabrosa and Diego Forlán and tackled a broad spectrum of football topics — from Marseille’s historic match-fixing scandal to the rapid rise of Joan García with Espanyol. His trilingual fluency and sharp focus on football make him a versatile and insightful voice in the sport.

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