Dino Maamria is looking for a project. A long-term program that he can get his teeth stuck into.
The former Burton Albion and Stevenage manager has revealed that he has reject multiple job offers from SkyBet League Two. In an exclusive in-depth interview with The Deck‘s ‘League One Lowdown’ podcast, the Tunisian spoke about how he is patiently waiting for the wright job to become available.
What Has Dino Maamria Said?
In the hour-long interview, the ex-Oldham Athletic manager said: “I’ll be honest with you, I’ve got two, three, four opportunities since I have left Burton. Some of them have been projects that I didn’t want.
“I have took jobs in the past where I have just needed to get back in. And sometimes you take jobs with desperation they backfire a bit, because they are short term fixes for me, and the club as well.
Maamria went on to explain his process for finding his next job in the professional game. He said: “I have been selective, patient. You don’t take anything for granted. I’m not sitting here waiting for the perfect job, I know it’s not going to be perfect.
League One’s Firefighting Manager:
After successes at previous clubs, including Burton Albion, Southport and Nuneaton Town, Maamria has become known for being able to turn around struggling clubs.
He said: “I know my CV says ‘firefighter manager’. If a team is underachieving, get Dino and get them winning. That’s what my CV says about me, I have no doubt that I can do that. But, it is after that, I want to make sure I have the platform where we can kick on as a football club.
“I am proud of that [CV]. That’s what I achieved, I am not embarrassed about that. It’s not easy. You see a lot of managers that jobs in March or February, and they go down. I don’t go down, I get the team winning. Five times it has happened, once or twice it might be luck, but five times it’s in my DNA, it’s my character.”
That reputation is clearly something Dino Maamria is pleased with, having built his managerial style and qualities over the course of his coaching career so far. However, he has his eyes set on securing a job that has appetising long-term aims.
Where Will Dino Maamria Go Next? – Opinion:
The obvious job that comes to mind when you look at Dino Maamria’s track record and CV is Cambridge United. The job is not currently available, but it might only be a matter of time.
Garry Monk has been given the support of the board, despite a dismal start to the 2024/25 League One season. Cambridge have yet to win a game this term, sitting rock bottom with a single point after the opening nine games. The only other winless side in the division is Maamria’s former side Burton Albion, who currently sit on four points.
His ‘firefighter’ reputation is well-deserved, and something that Maamria is rightfully proud of. The potential job at Cambridge, which you would expect to become available should Monk not turn around the club’s fortunes in the next few weeks, lines up with that you would expect from the Tunisian manager.
That being said, with his eyes on a project and a job where he can get his teeth stuck into a long-term target, only time will tell where Dino Maamria re-enters the dugout.
