Mellow Mixu's makeover

AS A PLAYER, Mixu Paatelainen was never in danger of being described as a silky exponent of the beautiful game.

While there was certainly more to his game than just being a battering-ram of a centre forward, it's fair to say his physical attributes outweighed his aesthetic qualities. As he embarks on the latest phase of his managerial career with Kilmarnock, however, the big Finn is determined to rid himself of what he feels is an unwarranted reputation as a coach who preaches route one football.

It is an image he found himself burdened with during his 18 months in charge of Hibernian as he brought a change of emphasis at Easter Road following John Collins' idealistic tenure. "It was as if it was stamped on my forehead from day one at Hibs," says Paatelainen with more than a hint of annoyance. "In my first press conference as Hibs' manager, I said I wanted the players to have a more direct approach.

"But that didn't mean I wanted to play the long-ball game. I hate that. But some people misunderstood what I'd said and that stayed with me. However, any player I have coached will tell you that I don't work that way. I have a clear vision of how I want to play and of how I want to build my team."

Paatelainen does intend, however, to change his own demeanour when he returns to the technical area. He will do so competitively at Ibrox on 14 August when Kilmarnock open the new campaign against champions Rangers. It was the scene of one of several touchline fracas Paatelainen became involved in during his time in charge of Hibs.

In a Scottish Cup replay against Rangers in March 2008, Paatelainen found himself confronted by an incensed Walter Smith, the veteran Ibrox boss accusing him of encouraging the dismissal of Nacho Novo for a foul on Thierry Gathuessi. Smith received a two-match ban for the incident and Paatelainen went on to have his own troubles with officials, earning two and four-match suspensions for altercations during a pre-season defeat at Cowdenbeath and a shock Co-operative Insurance Cup loss at home to Morton.

"I think I have mellowed during my year out," he said, "and I want to be more mellow on the touchline. But I don't want to lose my passion and I don't think I will. It is important for me to stay calm. There will be times when that won't happen, but I want to develop as a manager and that's one aspect I need to improve on.

"I wouldn't say I got too excited on the touchline that often, although it's hard to swallow when things go against you. It's difficult to make promises about this, but I'm trying to improve as a manager in every way, including that side of things. What happened that day at Ibrox was unbelievable, because it showed, for all of his experience, Walter's passion for his side. But we're all the same, sometimes the animal in us comes out. When it does, it has to be in a controlled manner.

"After that game I went to Walter's office and he was fantastic. He apologised to me and I could not respect him more. As far as I'm concerned what happened that day was nothing. I look forward to shaking his hand at Ibrox in August."

Paatelainen spent his year out of football travelling through Europe where he found particular inspiration in the current German style of football. He accepts Kilmarnock and the SPL is a difficult setting in which to introduce the kind of free-flowing, open play which recently saw the Bundesliga voted the most entertaining league in Europe, but he is unfazed by the financial limitations at the Rugby Park club.

"Some people might say that Kilmarnock is not the right job because there isn't loads of money to spend on players but every job has pros and cons and I see plenty of positives here," he said.

"Hopefully, my experience of scrimping and saving when I was in charge at Cowdenbeath will help. I have some great contacts down south and I intend to utilise them. I can't build a team straight away to play the way I want, because some players are under contract and I can bring in only a few others on our budget, but I can still make changes.

"I've already been in touch with agents and clubs and there will be players coming in, although I don't know exactly when. There are always bargains to be had just before the transfer window closes. There will also be players coming over on trial during our pre-season games but I want to take my time and make sure I get the right ones.

"I have really missed the involvement with players on the training ground during my year out, the matches and all of the adrenaline of the job. But at the same time, there's no doubt I've benefited from having the break. I said to my wife recently that I think every manager should have one at some point of their career. When you're in the job, you're totally immersed in it and that's all you can focus on. However, when you step outside of it you can look at what you did and really reflect on things and see the bigger picture."