New Ballyclare boss Stephen Small believes he is a better senior manager now than a decade ago when he led Carrick to the Championship title.
The former Cliftonville defender secured promotion to the top-flight for Carrick in 2011 but has not been involved in senior management for the 10 years since.
Small, who has completed a Masters in sports coaching and performance alongside a portfolio of experience in development football, was appointed as Comrades boss last month to replace Paul Harbinson at Dixon Park.
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“At that time, I had just finished my coaching badges after hanging up my boots and I was a customer relationship manager in a bank – but since that I have gone full-time in football,” Small told Match on Tuesday.
“In that decade, I started coaching as my proper job and got my pro license – so I’m coaching all the time and lecturing a little bit too, so I have been immersed in.
“The only thing that was missing from that was results-driven football in senior football that youth development – as rewarding as it is – does not have.
“Trying to build a winning team and put that group of players together is the most challenging aspect of football and that is why I chose to come back into the game.
“There are no guarantees of success from this role but I wanted to do something practical with the experience and background I have.”
Small believes that – with Ballyclare’s place in the second tier secured for next season – that his six weeks in the role at the end of this season will prove beneficial to prepare for the 2022/23 campaign.
“The players have been unbelievable and they are really open to being coached,” he added.
“I arrived in a really difficult situation but they have been fantastic to work with and try to develop.
“I have been lucky enough to come in and get to know the players, the staff, the board and what we should work on in training – so that will hopefully pay off for next season.
“We have secured our position in the league so now our attention must be on how to improve as a team.
“There is a lot to work on from a coaching and recruitment point of view, but we have that advantage of months at the end of this campaign to draw up a plan of what we will do.”
Ballyclare have won just twice in their last 25 matches and Small has yet to taste victory since his appointment last month, with plenty of work to do ahead of next season.
“We know we have stumbled across the line and haven’t had a magic wand to change things – there has been no major upheaval,” the boss continued.
“We need to analysis why this season has been so difficult, both internally and externally – what we can do to change from within but also what we can do to bring in more quality.
“This is a huge challenge because every team is going to be stronger and Warrenpoint coming down will be particularly strong and whichever sides wins promotion from the Premier Intermediate.
“We need to build a squad strong enough that we are not in that position again next year.”
Ballyclare finish their season with a home clash against in-form Dundela on Saturday.
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