EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Kenny is keen to get back into the management mix
KENNY Shiels is desperate to get back into management.
He has assured any prospective employer they will be getting a muchimproved version of the man who led Kilmarnock to the League Cup in 2012, and also defeated both halves of the Old Firm on their own patch.
This morning both Motherwell and Dundee United are on the look-out for a new manager, and Shiels has been linked with both positions.
But he is concerned that football clubs may be put off him because of the highprofile run-ins he had with the SFA and referees during his two-year spell at Rugby Park.
After he parted company with Killie, he had six months in charge of Morton and has just returned home from a spell as manager of Tero Sasana in Thailand.
Shiels told The Sunday Post: “I like Scotland and its environment. I also enjoy Scottish football. It feels like we’re a good fit. I just need to be given an opportunity.
“I don’t know if people are afraid of me or not because of my previous problems with the SFA. I used to speak my mind and felt it was better to be honest when I was asked questions.
“However, I’ve changed. I’ve had to. I’m not as revealing as I used to be.
“I will not leave myself open to be picked off. I’m very serious about my football but I’m also very personable. I’m all about building relationships with players, supporters and directors.
“All I ask is that when clubs are looking at my track record in the game, they judge me on that.
“I think Motherwell is a good fit for me. I could go there and develop that club and also win football games playing with an attractive style of football.
“When I was Kilmarnock manager, the fans loved the style of play and we used to get 4,500 to games against Hamilton and Ross County. Fans will pay at the gates to see flair in their team.
“When I was there we won the League Cup, and that was great and it’s always mentioned. But there was more to my time at Kilmarnock than just that trophy.
“We beat Celtic and Rangers. We beat Hearts at Tynecastle and we beat Aberdeen.
“Everyone keeps telling me how good I am at coaching, and also feel I have good man-management skills. It’s important to have both.”
Shiels also takes great pride in what has been achieved at Northern Ireland as they stand on the verge of qualification forEuro2016,withthebulkofthesquad that he helped nurture and develop when he was in charge of the Under-17 national side with players such as Jonny Evans, Steve Davis and Kyle Lafferty.
As a coach, he is for giving youth a chance but he also does not ignore experience and has the same philosophy whenitcomestomanagement.Hehas been dismayed to see so many of his peers out of work.
The 59-year-old said: “Chairmen and chief executives can’t ignore the moreexperienced coaches. I understand why a number of guys in their late thirties are being thrown in at the deep end – but there has to be a balance.
“Are we really saying that once you are over 52 or 53 that’s you done and dusted and ready to retire?
“Listen, look at last season’s Scottish Cup Final between Inverness and Falkirk. Both clubs managed by two experienced campaigners in John Hughes and Peter Houston.
“Let’s all be mindful of the benefits of experience and wisdom. The year before that, Tommy Wright and Derek McInnes won the domestic trophies.”
So Shiels hopes to be in the mix when Motherwell decide on a short-list of three or four candidates, and interview later this week.
He said: “I feel I have so much to offer. I am a provider of modern coaching. I embrace sports science and totally understand and appreciate the importance of it all.
“Coaches and managers need to be mindful and aware of injury prevention programmes, strength and conditioning programmes, sports science programmes and analytical performance programmes.
”But, equally, we know it’s all about results.
“I know how to win football games and entertain. I am full of ideas and want to be given a platform to implement them. My energy levels are high and my desire has never been greater.
“I’m ready to give a football club my total commitment, and hope to be given an interview sooner rather than later.”