I’m loving being sidekick too much to be boss again
James Fowler insists he’s in no rush to be a manager again.
The former Kilmarnock stalwart took on his first gaffer’s job aged just 34 and impressed in the role at Championship club Queen of the South.
But he’s now forging a career as assistant to Jack Ross with the pair joining Sunderland after steering St Mirren to promotion last season.
Ross is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most talented young managers and Fowler is delighted to be acting as his sidekick down south.
The 37-year-old is adamant that he plays an active role as a No.2 and has no immediate ambitions to be a boss in his own right again.
Fowler would have been in the frame for the Buddies job when Sunderland snared Ross but he had no hesitation in heading for the Stadium of Light.
He said: “It wasn’t difficult for me going from manager to assistant. I still have an input on things.
“I’m always involved in the mix. And not having to deal with players chapping your door or the board – the less glamorous stuff – is good for me. When I look back at my time with Queen’s, I wanted everyone to get a game to keep them happy.
“But sometimes that’s not possible so it’s about how you manage the group.
“I went with the intention of learning off Jim McIntyre but he left Palmerston after three months and I was thrown in at the deep end.
“Jack is excellent at dealing with people and handling certain situations. That’s something I’ve learned off him.
“It has really helped me in my role as assistant manager.
“When he left I’m sure I’d have been in contention for the St Mirren job after the part I had played in getting promotion to the Premiership.
“But I enjoy working with the manager as his assistant. It’s not something I want to change now.
“Going back into management might be something I’d consider in future.
“But I haven’t thought about it recently. I like this role and I’ve done alright so far in the first two years.
“There’s still plenty of improvement to make so I wouldn’t consider anything else right now.”