One day I'll come back and manage a team in Scotland says Alan Thompson

Sep 28 2008 By Mark Guidi

ALAN THOMPSON'S best moments as a player came in Scotland - and he hopes it's the same with his coaching career.

The former Celtic midfielder now looks after the youths at Newcastle United's academy of excellence after calling time on his playing career.

Managerless Toon are in turmoil but Thompson is enjoying the challenge of moulding the kids into top-team stars of tomorrow. And he hopes he too can progress to one day take charge of a club.

A move back to Scotland would be ideal because the Geordie and his family loved their time up north.

Thompson - highly rated at United - told MailSport: "I supported Newcastle as a kid and began my playing career at the club so to be working here is special.

"I'm only 34 and thought I had at least a year left as a player but the chance to work at Newcastle made me hang up my boots.

"Getting involved in coaching is something I looked into seriously about three years ago. Neil Lennon was the same.

"We asked Kenny McDowall about getting our badges and he put us in touch with Tommy Wilson and Tommy McIntyre at the SFA.

"We then got more than a dozen other SPL players to join the group to give us the numbers the SFA required. It's ongoing and I'll have all the necessary qualifications by next summer.

"I'd never rule out moving to Scotland. I loved my time there, playing for Celtic was special. I still keep an eye on the SPL.

"Scotland has produced many top managers who started there and went on to have excellent careers. It would be nice to think the same could happen tome."

Thompson played under some legendary gaffers including Toon hero Kevin Keegan, Bruce Rioch at Bolton, Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan at Celtic before seeing out his final days under Gary McAllister at Leeds.

It's an impressive list and the ex-Hoops ace said: "I've been lucky and picked up many good things. But you must be your own man.

"I just find it amazing how quickly life moves on. I'm coaching, Lennon is doing the same at Celtic and Alan Stubbs has just been named coach at Everton.

"Paul Lambert has managed two clubs. It only seems like yesterday we were all together at Parkhead.

"Life moves on and I'm enjoying coaching. There is so much responsibility - you can't just train for a couple of hours then go home.

"It's all change for youth players as well. Gone are the days when they be cleaning the senior guys' boots and tidying kit away. The club also make all their meals for them.

"I'm not saying they should be on their knees scrubbing floors but they should have some duties. There has to be a balance at that age."

Despite uncertainty over what new interim boss Joe Kineer will do with the academy set-up, Thompson refuses to worry.

He said: "I hope to remain a part of the club but we will wait and see. I enjoyed more than 15 years as a player after fearing my career was over at just 19 when I was in a car crash after a reserve game.

"I was a passenger and the driver fell asleep at the wheel. I broke my neck, needed major surgery andwas out for 20 months. I became a major pest to the Newcastle physios!

"After that other things don't seem too important. So I felt lucky to play just one game, never mind having great times at Celtic and Bolton. I also played for England under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"Football has been good to me and I hope to give something back."