Newshopper interview - Peeters hedging his bets already

Interview in today's Newshopper

Bob Peeters believes Charlton can surprise a few people - provided he can sign all of his targets.
The new Valley boss has already added two fellow Belgians in striker Igor Vetokele and loan midfielder Yoni Buyens.
But those were only the first names on his shopping list and Peeters is keen to get the remaining deals done, claiming he is confident of a successful campaign ahead should he be able to do so.
He said: “We need to do better than last season. We can only do our best.
“We can only try to bring in some players because some players have left Charlton as well.
“I think we’ve already done two good signings with Yoni Buyens and Igor Vetokele and we have still some people in the pipeline so it is looking good so far but we need to finish the deals.
“If we can bring in those players I think we can do a good job this season.”
Peeters added he was determined to land the managerial vacancy in SE7 as soon as he was approached about the role by Roland Duchatelet.
“I was in contact with the owner at a certain stage and we had a good chat. I still had one year left on my contract at my previous club.
“When the job as Charlton manager comes in then I think you don’t hesitate.
“The first thing I asked is ‘when is the next flight to London?’ because I was very pleased that they thought about and were interested in me.
“That was the main reason everything went very fast.
“They weren’t very happy at my previous team because we were struggling not to get relegated last season when I was appointed and we managed to stay up.
“But life goes on and I’m very happy to be here.”
Eyebrows were raised when Peeters was only offered a one-year contract at The Valley, but Duchatelet assured fans it is not unusual on the continent for managers to accept those terms.
The Charlton owner explained: “That is also a difference in culture between Europe and England. In England often you have teams who have a coach who signs for many years.
“In Belgium, and Europe in general, it is more common that the coach it is year by year.
“It doesn’t inhibit us to come into work for five years or six years if it is one year by one year.”
Charlton director Richard Murray added: “In England it is very misleading.
“David Moyes we were all told he was given a six year contract at Manchester United - he leaves Manchester United and he gets paid one year’s money.
“Alan Pardew, an eight year contract at Newcastle.
“Does anybody believe he will get eight years’ money when they sack him? No.”
Peeters himself stressed the current arrangement actually suits all parties.
The head coach said: “From my point of view I had another year left at Waasland-Beveren.
“I took the decision to leave. If one or both parties is not happy then you need to finish.
“If I am happy after this season and Charlton is happy with me then OK we go on, if we are not happy then we separate and we go our own way.
“It was part of the deal that I only wanted to sign for one year because for me also it is a big challenge and I need to know as well after this season if this is my cup of tea.
“I can sign for four years but then after one year maybe you think ‘OK, this is not the manager I want to be’. It can happen.”

 

Not for a minute, but how much did Pardew mug you off for Mr Murray..?

 

“In Belgium, and Europe in general, it is more common that the coach it is year by year.
“It doesn’t inhibit us to come into work for five years or six years if it is one year by one year.”

But thankfully not in England, mate