My rant was immaturity. Some of those people don't have jobs now, so ultimately I was right - but how I said it was wrong' Troy Deeney reflects on his Forest Green stint

"It's about the environment there, because they've got the talent, they've got the ownership with the money, they've got all the grand plans, so it's about having someone pull it all together. We tried to do that in the short time we were there, with Dave Horseman and Louis Carey. It's a great place. Robbie Savage went in as manager recently and I've genuinely been wishing them all the best, I just wish Dale would stop talking about me."

"Still looking for his first win in the job, Deeney was later handed a four-game touchline ban for his conduct towards a match official during a previous game, and he was sacked. Rovers owner Dale Vince later claimed that he hadn't necessarily wanted to appoint Deeney in the first place, but the club's director of football had promised to give the frontman a shot at the manager's job when it next became available, as part of enticing him into the player-coach role."

Troy Deeney signed as a player-coach for Forest Green Rovers in August 2023 and was appointed manager within four months. He inherited a side in 23rd place and was tasked with avoiding relegation but struggled to improve results. Following a 2-0 defeat to Harrogate Town he publicly criticised his players and singled out right-back Fankaty Dabo. Deeney received a four-game touchline ban for conduct towards a match official and was subsequently sacked. Owner Dale Vince said the appointment was not necessarily his choice but resulted from a director of football promise. Deeney reflected on lessons learned and praised the club environment and staff.

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