McClean open to backroom role at Derry at some point

JAMES McClean says he has no interest in coaching or management — but he would love to come back to his former club Derry City one day as a director of football.

The former Candystripes star, who turns 35 next Monday, will line out next season for Wrexham when they return to League One, so he has no plans yet to hang up his boots. But when he does, he doesn’t see a future in the dugout.

“Coaching is not for me and I’ve no interest,” he said.

“I’d like to stay within football in some other capacity, like a director of football. That would be something I’d quite enjoy.

“At the minute, I don’t want to coach but I might wake up some day and might find that (interest). My focus is on playing as long as possible and then staying in football, in a capacity along the lines of director of football.”

He added: “I’ve never hidden the fact that I want to finish my career at Derry City. Maybe there might be a role there for me.

Hints

“I got in quite well with the board and will be dropping a few hints to Sean (Barrett) and Phil (O’Doherty) to say what role is available after hanging up my boots.”

McClean, meanwhile, will be on opposite sides in the tunnel to his son Junior on Saturday when Wrexham face Crewe.

Junior has signed his first academy contract with the League Two side and has already scored 18 goals in nine academy games.

“We actually play Crewe on

Saturday and he signed his contract the other day. So they do the presentation on the pitch beforehand,” he said. “They are walking out with the Crewe players. That will be funny in the tunnel. And they are playing on the pitch at half-time.

“I’ll give him a little bit in the tunnel. It’ll be a good day. Obviously we are promoted, there is no pressure.”