Page 41 of How To Tackle A Crush
“I wasn’t going to ask anything personal,” I say. “I was more interested in how being a dad changed how you approach the job.”
That seems to settle something in him. Not openness exactly. More like he has decided this is a safe version of the question.
“It makes you ruthless with your time,” he says. “I don’t stay late just because everyone else does. If I can do something tomorrow, I do it tomorrow. If I said I’d be home, I’m home.”
“That sounds… intentional.”
“It is. Football will take everything you give it if you let it. I decided not to let it take that.”
“And clubs accept that anymore?”
“They do if you’re clear from the start.”
“How clear?”
“I made it part of my contract here,” he says. “No unnecessary media work outside agreed hours. Protected days when I’m not travelling. And if I say I’m unavailable after a certain time, that’s not negotiable unless something’s on fire.”
I blink.
“You can do that?”
“If you’re willing to give something up in return.”
“What did you give up?”
“Money,” he says simply. “Quite a lot of it.”
That surprises me more than it should. Football is one of the few industries where people rarely admit that part out loud.
“There were bigger clubs interested,” he adds. “Bigger salaries. Less control over my time.”
“And you chose control.”
“I chose being a parent.”
There’s no hero speech attached to it. No look at me being noble. Just a practical decision stated like he’s explaining why he chose one supplier over another.
“And Carlisle agreed to that?” I ask.
“They wanted stability. I wanted balance. It worked.”
“And you were really fine with earning less?”
He gives a small shrug.
“There comes a point where more money doesn’t actually buy you anything you need.”
“And time does,” I say quietly.
“Yes.”
That answer sits there between us for a second.
I make a note, though I already know this won’t make the article. Not because it isn’t interesting. Because it feels like one of those truths people only share when they forget they’re being interviewed.
I hesitate, then say, “Does your son understand you made those choices for him?”
The second it leaves my mouth I realise how badly phrased that is.
