Former Celtic skipper looks abroad
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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