Macclesfield boss Sol Campbell is inspired by Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola for the “passion” they show as managers and the winning mentality they exude to their players.
The former Arsenal and Tottenham defender took on his first managerial role with the Silkmen at the end of November – and has guided his side off the foot of the League Two table, with four wins from his opening 11 matches.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT this week, Campbell revealed he takes inspiration from those at the “top of the tree” of management such as Klopp as Guardiola.
He said: “You look at the guys at the top, you’ve got Klopp, you’ve got Pep and you look at how they inspire the players.
“Obviously I know they can come down on them like a tonne of bricks as well so it’s all about balance.
“They’re the top of the tree and at the higher level.
“Those kind of guys have that positivity oozing from them in different ways but still they’re passionate and that’s the main thing, the common denominator: the passion.
Campbell also believes Guardiola and Klopp’s winning mentality is key to their success.
He said: “These guys want to win, they’ve got the will to win.
“I’m not saying they’ll do anything to win but they want that kind of mentality around them.
“They want their players to really think about the game and have that passion for football.”