I'm a Leeds United fan but Pep Guardiola inspires me every day to try and win 'trophies'

Nick Booth taking tips from the all-conquering Manchester City boss is potentially something of a surprise though - as he’s a Leeds fan. 

Nick has recently been appointed as a team manager in Oldham’s Children’s Social Care Services, and talks openly about wanting to be like Pep. He even used a football analogy in his opening team meeting with his new colleagues.

“Pep is very good at what he does,” said Nick. “It’s there for everyone to see. But at a deeper level, as a leader, he treats everybody with love and respect and his team repay that approach with their own performances.

“I’m not a Man City fan, but I really value what he does and that’s what I told my team.”

Nick recalls a few members of his team laughing at the analogy with one saying, ‘Are you telling us you’re Pep?’.

“No,” he replied. “But if I could become my role model as a manager, that’s who I would be without a doubt because that’s how I aspire to manage.

“Pep is somebody who recognises he has got a good team, and he works very hard to get them over the line and he wants them to win trophies. If we all work together in that same fashion in my team and across the service, as far as I’m concerned, we will win lots of our own trophies in Oldham too.”

The council had something to celebrate when Ofsted acknowledged Oldham's ‘strong and stable leadership team’ during a recent inspection of its children’s services. The authority was rated ‘Good’ across all areas having been told it ‘required improvement’ as recently as 2019. The council’s recruitment of social workers continues. 

Despite only being with the authority for a few months, Nick – who is now in the process of making his agency role as a team manager permanent with the council – is clearly proud of the work he’s doing. 

“The outcome here, no matter what, is that we always want to make a difference to the families and children that we work with so it’s a really good place to work,” Nick added.

“I can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning, have my breakfast, make my way here, and get through that door to meet warm friendly faces who are ready to work hard – that’s how I know I’ve made the right decision to make my role permanent here.

“As a team manager, I see myself as a very open manager who is very approachable and gives strong support to my colleagues. I give strong challenges too, but support and challenge go hand in hand because it’s all about getting the right outcomes for the young people we work with, and my colleagues.

“Yes, we can have a laugh and enjoy warm conversations, but we can also have tough conversations and I am confident I can challenge my team on anything, and they won’t take it personally.

“They take it with grace, and we always work together to change what we need to do and with that mentality, I’m confident we will go from being a ‘Good’ to an ‘Outstanding’ authority.”

The council is currently in the process of recruiting team managers. Visit www.leadingoldham.co.uk/childrens-services.