Former Cardiff City manager Russell Slade has recalled how he handed a teenage Harry Kane his professional debut, setting the striker on a path that would culminate in winning the Ballon d'Or. Slade gave the then 17-year-old Kane his first game in football while in charge of Leyton Orient in January 2011.
Kane namechecked Slade among the managers he thanked during his Ballon d'Or acceptance speech, alongside Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino, Harry Redknapp, Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel. The recognition came as a surprise to Slade, who said he was "so humbled" to be mentioned.
A Debut at Spotland
Kane made his debut on January 15, 2011, at Rochdale's Spotland ground in a League One match attended by just 2,731 supporters. Slade sent him on as a substitute for Scott McGleish in a 1-1 draw. In the next game, a 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, Kane started and scored, beginning a run of five goals in his first eight professional matches.
Slade, who later became Cardiff boss, said he immediately recognised Kane's potential. "One thing I do have is an eye for a player," he said. He also gave a young Ezri Konsa his debut at Charlton, another England World Cup star.
An Eye for Talent
Slade recounted how he came to sign Kane on loan from Tottenham. "Back then Orient used to train right next door to Tottenham and I was invited to watch them one day by Tim Sherwood, who was in charge of recruitment and their under-21s," he said. "Tim wanted players to go out on loan to gain experience and the first time I set eyes on Harry I thought I'd love to work with him."
Slade described Kane as a player whose "speed was in his head" and who possessed "a real desire to get better and learn." He noted Kane's habit of practising penalties after every training session, a routine that has continued throughout his career.
"I was absolutely delighted that he won last night," Slade said. "I've followed his career so closely since those early days. Same with Konsa. How many managers can say they gave debuts to two key England players at the World Cup?"
Kane's Rise and Slade's Cardiff Years
Kane's fifth game under Slade, a 2-2 draw at Huddersfield, saw him score again and also receive the only red card of his career, with Slade insisting the second yellow was harsh. Under Slade, Kane also scored in a 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers and a 2-0 victory at Walsall before returning to Tottenham via further loans at Millwall, Norwich and Leicester.
Slade moved to Cardiff after his time at Orient, with the Bluebirds finishing eighth and 11th in the Championship during his tenure. He was later moved into a Director of Football role before leaving to manage Charlton and Coventry. Reflecting on his Cardiff spell, Slade said: "I look back upon my time with Cardiff with great fondness. We have never moved away from the area and to this day I hear positive comments from a great fan base."
