Mark’s loving his role alongside shooting-star Rusk
Mark McGhee reckons he’s working alongside one of the shooting stars of British management.
The former Scotland assistant and Simon Rusk were coffee-mates on England’s south coast when the latter was Brighton Under-23s coach.
Now they’re colleagues on a promotion charge after Rusk, 39, insisted in January that McGhee join him to provide wise counsel at Stockport County.
McGhee loves his role at the ambitious National League club, bankrolled by businessman Mark Stott and based at Manchester City’s old Carrington training centre.
County aim to go through the leagues to the Championship, the division they dropped out of in 2002 before hurtling into administration and part-time.
That’s all changed with McGhee part of a go-ahead coaching team completed by Dave Conlon.
McGhee said: “I knew Simon’s reputation but I’ve been flabbergasted by how good he is – a brilliant young coach.
“Clearly a product of the modern way that clubs like Manchester City and Brighton produce, in the Eddie Howe mould.
“He has a big chance as manager. A great tone, a bit of authority but with a democratic way that’s prepared to listen to others then make his decisions.
“He talks to players in very articulate, controlled language and is totally meticulous in his preparations.
“I always saw myself with a young manager like Simon at some point. In a sense, it’s exactly what I hoped for at this stage of my life.”
McGhee has had 11 manager’s jobs and only one previous assistant gig, that of supporting Gordon Strachan with the national team.
This post is less hands-on than Scotland, however, and the 63-yearold says that’s ideal.
“I find it easy being in the background,” McGhee said. “I’m on the training field every day but not coaching.
“I look on, talk to Simon about what I see, help plan and pick the team, help him come to conclusions.
“He bounces things off me. I try to stimulate him, give him my experience of certain situations.
“Within the camp, I talk to players, find out about them, feed back to Simon what I see and feel.
“I’m at a stage where it’s matches that really get me going anyway – and the great thing is we’ve had so many.”
County have won 10 and drawn four of their last 14, are up to third and only five points off top spot in the race to League Two.
“The National League, everything about it is top drawer,” said McGhee.
“The owner is investing incrementally to go up the leagues. For us coaches, I’d like to think it’s working how Simon saw it.”