DEREK McInnes has admitted that he is not looking to move back into management immediately after parting company with Aberdeen after eight years in charge.

McInnes, who was the longest-serving top flight manager when he departed Pittodrie last month, feels he needs time off to recharge his batteries and consider his next career move.

However, the 49-year-old, who has been linked with the vacancy at his former club Sheffield United following the sacking of Chris Wilder, is keen to return to work in the near future.  

Glasgow Times:

“I am enjoying the break,” he said. “I recognised the time to move on. I had said to myself I would move on at the end of the season. That was the plan. But I need that freshness professionally, Aberdeen clearly wanted to move on in a different direction.

“I am having some down time with the family, trying and get the golf handicap down and just get ready for my next job. It’s important for me to be as fresh and as good as I can be when that next job comes along. I am looking forward to that opportunity and the next challenge.”

He continued: “I am not looking to go back in now, but no manager, unless you are one of the top, top managers, can plot and plan everything that goes for them. My feeling is I want the break. I want to have that time to switch off. Spend some time with the family and friends and then try to move on.

“But everything else when the right opportunity comes along then it is sometimes difficult to say no to that. It is what we do as managers. You can never plot and plan these things perfectly.”

Glasgow Times:

McInnes admitted that only winning one trophy – the 2014 League Cup – during his time in charge at Aberdeen was a disappointment. However, he stressed that he was proud of what he achieved at Pittodrie.

“Listen, it is what it is,” he said. “I move on from Aberdeen, Aberdeen move on from me. Reflecting on my time there? Fantastic eight years. I really enjoyed my time there. I worked with good people. We managed to achieve quite a lot together.

“The staff were close. Different squads, different players over the years. We felt as though we took club forward, the club we inherited to the club it is now is way different. We made Aberdeen competitive again, we made them relevant again.

“Unfortunately we only won one trophy which is always going to be the biggest regret, but qualifying for Europe every year is an indication of good work being done by everybody at the club. Obviously being manager through period was thoroughly enjoyable. But we move on.”

 

“Derek McInnes was promoting exclusively live Premier Sports coverage of Rangers v St Johnstone this Sunday from 6pm. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £10.99 per month.”