Neil McDonald is pleased to be returning to the English game after a spell in charge of League of Ireland side Limerick.
The 52-year-old spoke to iFollow Iron for the first time since arriving at Glanford Park as Graham Alexander’s new assistant manager.
ON JOINING THE CLUB…
NM: I’m really pleased to be here. I’ve been speaking to Graham (Alexander), I’ve seen the team a couple of times and have been impressed. I’m here to help, to try and improve everybody - not just the football side, but the staff as well. I’m here to progress the football club and hopefully help get the club to where they want to get to. It’s an exciting time for me. This was an opportunity that came around and one that I couldn’t turn down. Getting back into the English game is what I wanted to do.
ON HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GRAHAM ALEXANDER…
NM: I went to watch him when he played for Luton and we then signed him at Preston, so that’s how far we do go back. We live in the same city as well, so we’ve kept in touch all the way through and I’ve watched Graham from afar, and seen how he’s done. I like the way his teams play and I’d like to get involved in it.
"I’m here to help, to try and improve everybody - not just the football side, but the staff as well. I’m here to progress the football club and hopefully help get the club to where they want to get to."
ON HIS CREDENTIALS…
NM: My main aim is obviously on the coaching field itself in trying to help the players to improve. I’ve got lots of knowledge and experience on how to handle players at all different levels. I’ve got everything on my CV, from a youth team coach through to being a manager. I know how to treat people, how to get on with people, how to try and improve the player and that’s what football is all about.
ON LEAVING THE MANAGERIAL POSITION AT LIMERICK…
NM: It was a tough decision. I had a great time there, even though it was a short time. I was asked to go and make sure that the team stayed in the division, which they did, to trim the squad and to give the young players a chance and I’ve come away knowing that I’ve achieved the three tasks that I was asked to do.
ON WATCHING THE IRON AND LOOKING FORWARD…
NM: It’s perfect timing for me to come in to try and get to know everybody. I’ve done a little bit of ground work already and have seen some games, so I know how the team plays. I’ve been very impressed with the way they’ve played. There’s a good balance and hopefully myself, the rest of the staff and the players can improve and keep that balance. It’ll be good to get to know everybody in the days leading up to the Portsmouth game.
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