Motherwell defender Stephen McManus hangs up boots to take up coaching role
Stephen McManus' reluctance to become a bit-part player at Motherwell underpinned his decision to hang up his boots to concentrate on a coaching role at the club.
Last updated 14th Aug 2017
The 34-year-old former Scotland captain came through the youth ranks at Celtic and played over 200 times for the Parkhead club, winning three Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
McManus had spells at Middlesbrough and Bristol City before joining the Steelmen in 2013, where he was a virtual ever-present until a groin injury at Celtic Park in early 2017 ended his season and required a double operation.
The centre-back played against Edinburgh City in this season's Betfred Cup campaign but, after boss Stephen Robinson told him he would not be a regular starter, and with no desire to play out his career in the lower leagues, he decided to retire.
McManus will take up a coaching role within the club's academy as Motherwell prepare for the new era under the Scottish Football Association's Project Brave initiative.
I just felt it was the right time,'' he said.I didn't take the decision lightly but it was one I felt had to be made.
The manager has been excellent with me, he was up front and honest.
I've always had that bit of pride where you want to play every week.
I wasn't going to be in the manager's plans to perform week-in, week-out, so that was a big factor and this opportunity to get involved with the first-team and also assist Stephen Craigan (under-20s coach) and then lead the under-17s going into under-18s next season.
So that is a big step for me. It was the right decision to make and I am glad to make it.
Making my debut at Celtic was a massive thing for me after growing up there as a supporter, my first goal, becoming a regular, captaining the club, representing your country, scoring for your country, captaining your country - there have been a lot of highs.
I have been fortunate enough in that there has probably been more highs than lows but I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life.''
Robinson told the club's official website: We are absolutely delighted to be bringing someone like Stephen on to our staff as he will be a huge asset to the club.
He's a former Celtic and Scotland captain and has played almost 500 career games; that's a wealth of experience that our younger players now have at their disposal.
It was a massive decision for him personally and it's a real testament to Stephen as a guy that he wants to make this step at this stage of his life.
I believe he'll make a tremendous coach one day and he's doing it in the correct way, getting his badges and doing the hard work on the training ground first.'