Kelly’s journey to be a boss ends at Latics

NO SHORT CUTS . . . Darren Kelly started at the bottom and worked his way up.

A LONG-STANDING desire to become a successful coach is what Athletic’s new boss hopes will set him apart from first-time failures.

The latest statistics show the average stint for a boss in the professional game has shrunk to a mere 1.24 years — and 15 of the 40 managers dismissed up to the end of March were rookies.

Darren Kelly hopes obtaining coaching badges up to UEFA Pro Licence level — allied with coaching experience with youngsters at York and then Sunderland — has prepared him better than most for the potential pitfalls.

“I have been coaching a long time, from bottom to top,” Kelly said. “I have specifically chosen this path. You have so many players who stop playing and go into management and fail. I think it is important you start from the bottom and work your way up, which I have done.

“I obtained the UEFA Pro Licence, which has geared me up for this type of opportunity. I have no doubt we can achieve something here. That’s me being honest and upfront. I am a very honest, loyal person and I will be straight.

“I chatted to the players on Tuesday and was very honest and open. They are going to be a great bunch to work with. I have no doubt that we can - with the help of some additions - do something good.”

Kelly cites injuries and mental fatigue as factors in Athletic’s double fall from grace this season.

“When they were confident, the players told me they felt unbeatable,” said Kelly. “You pick up one or two injuries and that little seed of doubt is planted. Maybe that has played a part.”

Kelly says he has already prepared a list of potential summer targets: “You identify lots of players,” he said. “If you were ever given such an opportunity, there are players you can bring in who can enhance your team.”

He wants to bring up more young players in the mould of Carl Winchester and Joel Coleman, while possibly looking to his homeland for recruits.

“I have links with Northern Ireland and if there are players there who fit the bracket in terms of what we need then it is important it is looked at,” Kelly said.

“I want to have a close relationship with the youth department. It is important to keep an eye on youth coming through.

“You look at managerial time scales in football now and they are not too long. Due to that, managers don’t really give youth its chance. It is important that through hard work you have a hand on helping that process and having an impact on it.”