EXCLUSIVE Guy Mowbray Interview: Transfers, Aguero, Mancini, Balotelli, Twitter and MORE

Guy Mowbray is one of the top commentators in the country, leading BBC’s coverage of the Premier League and the World Cup. Here, he gave up his time to talk about his career, football in general and his thoughts on all things Manchester City.

View From A Blue: How did you get involved with the media?

Guy Mowbray: On a wing and a prayer! The story I usually tell is the most accurate. Having wanted to play professionally and never being anywhere near good enough, I was kicking around at home feeling pretty fed up with office work when my dad said “You won’t get paid for playing it, so why don’t you try to get a job watching it?” For some reason the lazy youth in me took a back seat and I set about writing letters galore and generally doing all I could to get an opportunity.

VFAB: Is commentating always something you wanted to do?

GM: Yes and no. I think I did as a kid, and would always ‘commentate’ during kickabouts or when watching my local village team from my bedroom window. Once I got into my late teens though it never occurred to me that it could be an option. Aren’t those careers advisers at school really helpful?! I have always been obsessed with football and, sad to say, with football stats and history though, so I think it’s the perfect job for me. Oh, and I tend to go on a bit.

VFAB: Is there any commentator you’ve particularly admired?

GM: Many that I admire now, and many in the past – but none that I really look up to as such. I don’t mean that to sound arrogant in any way – it’s just that my heroes growing up were the players. I can however remember the famous commentaries – and am of an age to be able to recite Clive Tyldesley’s commentary on the 1989 5-1 just about word for word you’ll be pleased to know!

VFAB: At the age of 26, working for Eurosport, you became the youngest ever commentator to cover the World Cup Final for television. How do you feel about such an achievement?

GM: I’m not sure it’s true. I don’t suppose whoever trotted that out has asked every TV station to have covered the World Cup the ages of their commentators! At the time though it was a real honour, and a big shock. I didn’t really think about it that much but I suppose I must have done something right quite quickly. I owe Eurosport a great deal and loved working there. I still do now and again.

VFAB: In your years of commentating, has there been any standout moment?

GM: Many. For obvious reasons World Cups are the thing that I look back on most often. I got my big break at France ’98, then to do the final for the BBC in 2010 was just the biggest thing I could wish for. A lot of my best moments came when I worked on radio though. I covered Sunderland matches for Metro Radio in the North East and for a few years had a whale of a time travelling around with Eric Gates and Tony ‘Gilly’ McGill. We made a great team and got into a few scrapes! It’s lovely that they still remember us fondly up there.

VFAB: Do you have any further ambitions?

GM: I will have – but at the moment it’s just to keep doing what I’m doing for as long as I possibly can. More World Cup finals please!!

VFAB: What has been the biggest change in football you have seen since you started commentating?

GM: The stadiums and facilities in them. Everything – from commentary positions to the pre-match food for the media – is a world away from how it used to be. In my early radio days I used to carry 2 bits of old wire with me to make my ‘broadcast box’ work. I nearly fused the floodlights at Grimsby!

VFAB: If you had the power, would you bring in any changes to the game? (video replays/goal line technology etc)

GM: Yes – to all of the above. I was never really sold on the whole technology thing until Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ against Germany in Bloemfontein last year. At that moment, all the arguments I’d heard for it came into focus and I’d now say bring the lot in if it works. Nigel De Jong’s (sorry Blues) karate kick on Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final also made me believe that the 4th official should be given greater powers. Howard Webb didn’t get a great view of that so couldn’t give a red card because he couldn’t be sure of the seriousness of the offence. I would give the touchline ref a monitor and greater responsibility over yellow and red cards. A quick “yes Howard, a free kick is right – and you have to send him off too” wouldn’t have taken any time at all.

VFAB: How important nowadays are the likes Twitter and Facebook for you, whether in breaking news or just interacting with fans?

GM: They’re becoming an increasing part of my day. At first I couldn’t stand Twitter and had 2 aborted attempts at getting involved – but I’ve persevered this time. It’s great for getting the news and general football chat – but I tend to use it in bursts. I’ll have an obsession with it every day for a week – then won’t look at all the next week. I still prefer talking football face to face though – when did we stop talking??

VFAB: You’re a huge York City fan. When you’re commentating on a Saturday afternoon, do you miss not being able to watch them?

GM: It’s been so long that I don’t really now. The last time I was a Bootham Crescent regular on a Saturday was when I covered them for local radio in the early to mid 1990′s. I am however a Tuesday night regular – and due to the harsh winter bringing a load of postponements last season I got to loads of games that were re-arranged. There’s a little group of us who meet in the pub beforehand and it’s the only time I get to be a proper, blinkered, biased fan!

VFAB: 1998/99 season: York City 2 – 1 Man City and in the return fixture Man City 4 – 0 York City in Division 2. Any memories of those games?

GM: None. I was covering Sunderland games elsewhere so didn’t see either. One of my best mates Andy McMillan played in the 2-1 – but with him being a big Utd fan I think it’s best I don’t ever ask him about it.

VFAB: Do you see City as realistic title challengers this season?

GM: Without doubt. It’s between City & Utd for the title in my humble opinion.

VFAB: How do you think City will fare in the Champions League?

GM: That’s a tough one. Depends on the draw massively. With the talent in the squad though I should think getting out of the group will be a given. It’s the first year – so to predict anything REALLY impressive would be risky. You wouldn’t be surprised though would you?

VFAB: How would you rate City’s signings in this summer transfer window?

GM: Clichy – jury out but a good alternative to Kolarov as he’s a very different type of left back. Savic – no idea, but tracked by all the big boys so must have something. Nasri – an excellent addition, but better than Silva? Aguero – oh dear Lord. The absolute mutts nuts. What a player.

VFAB: What do you make of Mario Balotelli?

GM: I like him – or should I say I WANT to like him? They can’t all be solid, steady, ‘say the right thing’ pros like James Milner – and the game needs characters. I’m just not sure at the moment what that character is. There’s no doubt that he’s a talent – but definitely needs to cut out some of the daftness. By the way, I’m not knocking Milner – quality, quality player.

VFAB: What are your views on Roberto Mancini?

GM: I’m a fan. You can tell he’s a real student of the game and puts his all into the job. I don’t side with the ‘negative’ argument either. Yes, there’s Italian football mentality in there (obviously!), but I think his win ratio is better than Mark Hughes’ was. I know he’s had a lot more money – but I don’t think City would be progressing at the same rate had the change not been made. We’ll never know.

VFAB: Who is your favourite ever City player and why?

GM: I know he was only at the club 5 minutes, but I was obsessed with Ian Bishop. I also loved Steve MacKenzie for his 1981 cup final goal – the best in that final no matter what Ricky Villa says (Bobby MacDonald should have stopped his on the line anyway). I’m not old enough to remember Bell, Lee & Summerbee but my overall vote does go to someone I never saw play – Bert Trautmann. My mum and dad were at the 1956 cup final and told me the broken neck story over and over again as a kid. Add the whole German paratrooper thing and you’ve got a ‘boys own’ story that would make an amazing film should someone make it. I suppose in a way he’s one of the reasons I got so into football at an early age. Danke Bert!

Many thanks to Guy who kindly gave up his time to answer my questions. Let me know below your thoughts and any reaction to what Guy has said above.

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