Darren O’Dea has admitted that towards the end of last season he looked forward to coaching the youth squad more than playing for the first team.
At the age of 32 there were still a few more pay days to enjoy in a career that had taken him to Ukraine, Canada and India after early success at Celtic.
Coaching however had become something of a passion as he looked ahead to where his career would be in five or ten years time.
Motherwell offered him the coaching breakthrough with the Development squad but after a few months at Fir Park an opening appeared at Celtic when Stephen McManus stepped up to assist Tommy McIntyre with the Development squad.
O’Dea now looks after Celtic’s u-18 squad with his career turning full circle from the days that he came through along Paul McGowan, Si Ferry and Paul Caddis.
Reviewing an eventful last 12 months O’Dea told the Mirror:
“I was still getting offers to play abroad but when the Motherwell job came up, it was the first time in a long time that I was really excited. Money wise, it was a fraction of what you’d get as a player but the fact it got me so motivated, I just knew it was time.
“My wife was unsure as she knew how much I’d miss playing. She thought the battle would be accepting that I wanted to stop but I didn’t want to play anymore. I didn’t let it show in training or how I played but I looked forward to sessions with the Dundee youths more than my own matches. That probably wasn’t right but it’s how I felt and there’s not one day that goes by where I miss playing.”
On his move to Celtic he explained:
“I wanted to work at an elite underage level. It’s a dream job and I never thought in a million years it would happen this quick. I’m Celtic Under-18s manager by title, but there’s so much work off the pitch too.
“There are six staff directly for our team and then we have another 12 throughout the academy who do video analysis, sports science, psychology etc.
“A lot of players at that age have agents, which can be quite demanding. They’re boys aspiring to play at the top level and there are demands that come with that.
“It’s management and it’s challenging. You’re no longer responsible for just yourself. But the insight you get at Celtic into becoming a manager is incredible. I’m very grateful.”
