"I never told him to be a manager," he said.

"It doesn't matter whether you are a top player or not. It is a hard profession to go into, harder than it has ever been.

"You only need to ask Lawrie Sanchez what a precarious job it is.

"We have foreign ownership and a different type of media. The demands are far higher than when I first started.

"The only advice I could give anyone is to go for your coaching badges to prepare the best way you can. At least then, you have a chance.

"Roy was doing his badges two years before he quit. That was a wise move. When they are still playing, the lads have time on their hands. They can make a final decision about management once they have something behind them."