NLD Q&A: Rufus Brevett talks his career and managing Hanworth Villa

Non-League Daily had a chat with former QPR and Fulham player Rufus Brevett about his managerial career and how he sees life with Hanworth Villa.

NLD: You are into your second managerial role now, how have you found the transition from player to manager?
RB: I found the transition very smooth because I was totally ready to go into management.

NLD: You spent your career in the pro game, what are the main differences you have found working with non-league players?
RB: The main difference is players getting to training. Through work commitments it's sometimes difficult for some players to get to training therefore it can be difficult to work on team shape if the players that are playing on a Saturday are not at training.

NLD: You worked with some great managers in your time as a player, have you looked for advice from any of them?
RB: I've been very fortunate to have played for not only top managers but top players in their time the likes of Billy Bremner, Dave Mackay, Ray Wilkins, Kevin Keegan, Trevor Brooking, Glenn Roeder and Jean Tigana, I've taken little bits from all these managers, all of these managers had an amazing passion for the game and total winners. They demanded 100% work rate in every game which is the least I expected from my players.

NLD: Are there any managers that you look up to in the modern game?
RB: Arsene Wenger for lasting so long at one club and sticking to his beliefs in how he wants his teams to play and Antonio Conte, to come to the best and hardest league in the world and do what he's doing is remarkable.

NLD: The season so far is going well, with the club sat in second in the table, what are the targets for the remainder of the season?
RB: The season is going ok at minute, my players have done everything that I've asked them to do. The way I do things was very different to what they were used to. My only target is to win the next game( Sorry to sound boring).

NLD: There are clubs that have been promoted from the Combined Counties League and done well at a higher level, is this something that Hanworth Villa could look to do in the near future?
RB: We have beaten two teams from the league above, Hanwell Town (3-0) and Ashford  Town (3-2) so I know that we could complete in the league above and I feel that we are ready for the step up. I think it's something the club needs to move forward.

NLD: The club's supporters and committee raised a lot of money for charity in the last year, it must make you proud that a club at step five of the pyramid, where money is always tight, is showing such an awareness of the local community?
RB: Everyone connected to the Club works extremely hard and sometimes it goes unnoticed.

NLD: What are the main challenges you face in running the club?
RB: Fortunately I don't run the club just manage the team. The main challenges in managing the team is keeping the players motivated.

NLD: What are your own targets for your managerial career?  Do you want to go higher?
RB: I think you've got to aim high, to take Hanworth Villa to the league would be great.

Interview: Mark Carruthers (@marknldaily)
Image: Reuters Media