Rhys McCabe admits it was a ‘no-brainer’ to become the youngest manager in the SPFL.
The 29-year-old West Lothian footballer was appointed player-manager of League One side Airdrieonians last week, where he will be assisted by club captain and cousin Callum Fordyce, also 29.
Polbeth-born McCabe was handed the reins following the departure of Ian Murray to Raith Rovers and told the West Lothian Courier that the chance to take his first managerial job in the game was simply too good to turn down.
He said: “It’s been part of the thought process for some time because you’re not going to be a player forever. I always saw myself progressing into coaching and management and I’m absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity.
“When Ian left to new pastures the board floated the idea past me and said they thought I carried out a very similar role on the park and asked if it’s be something I’d be interested in.
“They said they’d get a support structure and ensure I’ve got everything I need in terms of backing and support because it’s obviously something that’s new and both myself and Dycey intend on playing.
“It was a no-brainer for me to say yes. It’s an opportunity I’m really looking forward to and I appreciate the club having the belief to offer me the job.
"We're working collectively behind the scenes on how exactly that support network will look but we're all on the same page with regards to that and I've had a few interviews already with people."
Fordyce came through the ranks at Livingston and featured over 100 times for his hometown Lions before departing in 2015.
The new Diamonds gaffer said the centre-back was the obvious choice to have has his right-hand man, commenting: “Dycey is someone I can trust 100 per cent and he’s a leader on the park.
“He’s obviously family and we’ll have our agreements and disagreements but I trust him and know everything he’ll be doing and saying is for the right reasons and intentions.
“I wouldn’t want to have anyone else beside me going into this job.”
McCabe was a huge part of the playing squad that brought a feel-good factor back to Airdrie last term as they narrowly missed out on promotion and tallied the club’s longest-ever unbeaten league run as they went 20 games without defeat.
So he admits there’s no need for any drastic changes, saying: “The club have been brilliant. I’ll be doing my part with scouting, recruitment and contract negotiations - all the off the park side of things. But that’s also part of where the support network comes in.
“It’s obviously a side of things I’ve not been part of before but there will be a group of people around me.
“The club’s in a very good place right now. We went on a long unbeaten run, attendances were up, there felt like a real connection between the players and the fans.
“There’s no need to make drastic changes because for us it’s just about continuing that.
“There will be wee tweaks and a few different faces in terms of the squad but we still want to play good football and let the players go out there and feel like they have the platform to express themselves and enjoy their football and being at Airdrie.”
McCabe will be one of three West Lothian managers in the third tier next season with Alloa being led by Brian Rice and Danny Lennon in charge at Clyde.
The midfielder says there will be plenty of friendly rivalry next term between the trio.
“I know Danny well because I do some coaching with him,” he said. “He was one of the first people to reach out. He really praised the club for doing something a bit different and said congratulations and offered his support.
“He said I can always go to him for advice so that was really nice.
“There will definitely be a bit of friendly local rivalry in the division next season, that’s for sure.”
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