Building for a big future
Malky will lay foundations at County
New house, new job – now Malky Mackay wants the Ross County manager’s job to be a new chapter in his career.
The new Staggies gaffer, who was unveiled last week, has spent the last nine months immersed in building a family home.
And now he’s willing to commit years to County and ensure foundations are laid down for the club’s future.
Mackay is excited to be back at the sharp end of management after four years as the SFA’s performance director.
He can’t wait to get out on the grass with players again and do what he does best – coaching.
It was just eight years ago that he was voted the LMA’s Championship Manager of the Year in England after leading Cardiff City to the Premier League.
After building a new house in Scotland, he’s committed to Roy MacGregor’s long-term vision for County.
Mackay’s reputation was damaged when he left Cardiff due to offensive text message she allegedly sent.
But after his stint at the SFA, he believes he’s now back where he belongs in club football.
The 49-year-old said: “During my spell out of the game after leaving the SFA, we’ve been building our own house.
“It has taken around nine months and it has been interesting – but I’m not sure I’d do it again. It has been challenging!
“Anyone who has ever done the same will know about the stress involved. But when I decide to do something, I commit to it.
“People thought I’d be at the SFA and jump at the first opportunity. There were opportunities but I’d made a commitment to Stewart Regan to see it through and we did.
“I was the same at my previous clubs, I was there for considerable periods of time.
“That kind of loyalty is what Ross County will get from me.
“There’s a new plan at the club and I know the journey they want to go on.
“More and more in this industry now, who you work for is important.
“You need someone with the same vision.
“That’s what piqued my interest initially in County. I ’ ve been asked to build departments here and that enticed me massively to this job.
“I’ve a new house, a new job – is it a new start for me in football? I’d say it’s a new chapter.
“Life in the last 18 months has taught me about adapting to change. It has been ridiculously difficult for everyone.”
Due to his work at the SFA,
Mackay has bui lt up contacts at every club in the country.
And from a 20- year stint in England as a player and manager, he’s still in touch with some of the top coaches in the Premier
League such as
Brendan
Rodgers and
Sean Dyche.
He’s hoping to utilise all of those in the coming months for the benefit of Ross County.
Mackay said: “I’m still in touch with people like Brendan and Sean – I got congratulations messages from both of them last week.
“My contacts down there can definitely help me at Ross County.
“I’ve also just had four years at the
SFA, being involved with every club in Scotland.”
Right now, Mackay just can’t wait to start working with his players and constructing a squad for the
Scottish Premiership next term.
He said: “Being on the grass coaching players is what I’ve always loved doing.
“I real ly enjoyed being around the international players with the SFA and I was incredibly proud to take the national team for one game.
“I’m delighted to be back as a manager in the Ross Count y dugout. This is absolutely the right thing for me to do now.”
There's a new plan at County and I know the journey they want