McGhee: Ban left me so sick I’ll never manage club again
It has been more than a year since Mark McGhee’s six-game SFA ban and the storm over his video nasty in the stand at Pittodrie.
But the wounds he suffered that led to his exit as Motherwell manager still haven’t healed.
In February 2017, during his team’s 7-2 defeat to Aberdeen, McGhee was sent off after an altercation with fourth official John McKendrick.
The gaffer was then filmed having a pop at a home supporter and the footage caught fire online.
The subs equent suspension angered him then and still does now.
So much so that the former Scotland assistant coach says he’ll NEVER manage again.
He said: “I decided after leaving Scotland that I wasn’ t going to take another manager’s job.
“The last experience I had at Motherwell, with the six- game ban, just sickened me.
“The way I was treated was unfair and disgusting. It did me in.
“I could manage down south where the ban doesn’t stand but the whole episode and the way I was perceived left me tired of it.
“I was subject to the whims of people that I didn’t feel deserved to treat me that way.
“I’ve managed 960-odd games but none of that matters to me now.
“I try not to dwell on it but if I start thinking about it I’m angry about what happened and the way I was treated up here.
“It’s a personal thing. I don’t discuss it with my family and I don’t hold grudges – it’s over. I’ve made my decision and I’m enjoying what I do now.”
Since leav ing his Scotland post with Gordon Strachan, McGhee has kept himself busy.
He joined Barnet as a mentor to young coach Rossi Eames but quickly found himself in the dugout again temporarily.
A f ter appoint ing Graham Westley as boss, the pair were relieved of their duties last week.
But after ruling himself out of management, McGhee is now exploring different roles within the game to stay involved.
He said: “I’ve been in Barcelona helping eSports who have branched into football. Some clubs are even introducing eSports departments.
“I’m also involved in the finance of a club in India – so anything where I can use my experience or contacts to help out.
“I went to Barnet to give the guy there some advice.
“But right away he decided he didn’t want the job. He stepped away and left me in charge for 10 games, which I didn’t want.
“I was not what I went there to do. I ended up hacking around until I was able to appoint a manager.
“The chairman has now decided to bring someone in who’d been there before (Martin Allen).
“Maybe he thinks he can get something out of the team that myself and Graham couldn’t, which is nonsense really.
“But I want to be doing new challenges.”
McGhee was speaking at a Ladbrokes sponsored event as part of the Scottish Golf Show.