MAN WITH THE MIC WON’T RUE TERRORS TORMENT

FRANK WILSON says he’s reaping the benefits of having a crack at Non-League punditry – but the 2016-17 Isthmian South winning manager is ready for his next dug-out adventure.

The 32-year-old guided Tooting & Mitcham United to Step 3 in only his second season in management.

But year three ended on a down as the Terrors were relegated on goal difference and Wilson left at the end of May.

Having become a father in the summer, he’s been a regular guest on Non-League debate show Back of the Net, which he says has allowed him to gain a fresh perspective on the game and is improving him ahead of a new manager’s role.

“I’ve been using that time working with the Back of the Net guys and being a pundit on the show to see football a slightly different way,” Wilson told The NLP.

“It’s not just about giving my opinion on games and things we cover, but I’ve been quite meticulous watching teams play and setting myself tasks on the analysis side of things – all areas I think are going to help me in my next management job.

“I’m speaking to lots of people in management, people who are influential to me, who represent me and the way I would like to do things. I’m trying to surround myself as much as possible so when I get my next job I can do well at it.

“When you step out of that management environment you can see it from a different perspective and you can adjust. I’m enjoying it but now it’s a key time for me to get back involved with the right club.”

Wilson was just 29 when he took Tooting’s reins and, although he suffered relegation, looks back with pride at what was achieved during his time there.

“For my first job it suited me because I was going in there with no expectations or pre-conceptions of any previous job,” he added.

“I was given autonomy by the chairman to bring in my own coaches, we won the London Cup and that set us up for the next season.

“We had a fantastic second year, won the league and broke all sorts of records but in the third year it fragmented, which was disappointing, because we were back in the Bostik Premier and I thought we’d be setting ourselves up for success.

“But I learnt so much from that season. Going through what we did really fast-tracks you as a young manager.”