Stephen McManus is prepared to move abroad as he considers a move into coaching.
Middlesbrough pulled the plug on a proposed move to Bristol City for the 29-year-old but the signing of Jonathan Woodgate confirms that McManus has no future under Tony Mowbray.
Moving to Middlesbrough was an eye-opener for the centre-half who is now looking much further afield for his next move.
“I’ve really enjoyed it in England but I have an ambition to play abroad,” he told the Sunday Mail. “I’m open to different things.
“I have two young children and they haven’t started school yet so it wouldn’t be a problem to uproot and show them a new culture and way of life.
“Whether it’s Holland, Germany, Portugal or America, I’d look at any option. I’d give it my all. It couldn’t be half-hearted. I’d be in at the deep end and would embrace all aspects on and off the park and learn the language if necessary.
“I’m at the age now where I’m starting to think about life after I hang up my boots, although I believe as a central defender I should be entering the best two or three years of my career.”
During the summer Mick was at Inverclyde to work on his coaching qualifications alongside other former Celts including Bobby Petta, Simon Donnelly and Mark Burchill.
McManus added: “I have started my coaching badges and finished my A licence during the summer at Largs. The next step is taking my UEFA pro-licence.
“If I can stay in the game it would be great. To be involved in football for 25 or 30 years would be unbelievable.
“Signing for a club abroad may well be beneficial as you try to add different pieces to the jigsaw.”
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Best of luck to big mick. I still think he could have proved to be an even better player than he was if he hadnt been lumbered with pressure of babysitting gary caldhell and was free to play his own game
I agree with sands1888 Big Mick had to cover for Caldwell,he had to come out and attack while caldwell sat back a backed off.
I would welcome back Big Mick tomorrow,he got a raw deal under Mowbery.
sands1888:- agree totally mick & big bobo to my mind were a great combination mick was the organiser and bobo the battering ram of a centre half which all teams need. when fully match fit & confident bobo was an awesome sight. really,really wish that bobo had been put in against that c**t cousin he would have ripped him a new one!!
What i would give for a young bobo balde just now, even with his scary moments, he was a machine, ill never forget de boer he probably still doesnt know who he is
Best of luck to big Mick, but I felt it was the right time to part ways. In recent years most of our central defenders have been lacking in some way, lack of pace / composure etc. We have struggled to find the right balance.
Given how often teams defended in depth against us, yet our defence needed protection from midfield again highlights the lack of real quality.
A young Paul Elliott and another Pat Stanton would be ideal. Mulgrew is developing well into a classy central defender so who knows we might be on the way. Continuity is important in the defensive axis ala Leighton – Miller – McLeish, hopefully we have more luck with injuries and can field a more settled defence next season.
As McManus was always a whole hearted / 100% effort type of player, I am sure he will put everything into becoming a good coach. Malky McKay should prove all the inspiration he needs to succeed.
williebhoy, pat stanton could be teamed with anybody at centre half and would make them look good (rafael scheidt might have been the exception!!).
massive disappointment when he got injured at start of 77-78 season. losing him, danny and kenny at start of that season no team could have coped, even one managed by big Jock.
Best of luck in the future big man a real gent. hail hail.