Tony Cascarino praises ‘miracle’ worker Sol Campbell following exit from Macclesfield Town
Tony Cascarino has praised Sol Campbell following his Macclesfield Town exit.
The Arsenal legend left the League Two club by mutual consent after eight months in charge on Thursday.
Campbell, who won two Premier League titles with the Gunners, saved Macclesfield from relegation last season after taking over with the strugglers bottom of the fourth tier.
Despite his on-field success, Macclesfield players have been fighting against unpaid wages over the summer.
Ex-Chelsea ace Cascarino told talkSPORT’s Weekend Sports Breakfast: “Sol could probably do a book on what’s happened in the last year as being manager and going to Macclesfield Town.
“Going down to that level, I’ve always said if you go to that level, be prepared to know as much as you can and employ people around you that know that level brilliantly - that gives you a chance.
“Sol, he was never onto a winner going to Macclesfield Town, especially with their circumstances off the field.
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“To keep them up was pretty much a minor miracle. I’ve lauded Phil Parkinson at Bolton when he got promoted when he was under a [transfer] embargo.
“He went down and he’s still their manager. He’s in a similar situation [to Campbell], imagine coming in here and none of us have been paid and we’re having to do a show.”
A run of just two defeats from Macclesfield’s final 10 games saw the club avoid relegation under Campbell’s guidance.
And his departure could once again threaten the Silkmen’s Football League status.
Cascarino added: “Sol had only lost two of his last 10 games. So when I heard the news midweek, and it was apparently by both parties mutual consent, I was stunned with the circumstances that Sol had thrown himself into.
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“He’s a wealthy boy, he would have made a lot of money, he’s given himself a chance to be a manager.
“I can’t imagine going into training every day, keeping the team, trying to bring in new people in the summer, not getting paid and having players at that level, because I’ve been there, players that can’t afford to pay their mortgages, having to deal with no wages.
“Okay, the PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association] will step in, [but] I was thinking how tough Sol’s job would have been off the field.”