Player-turned-coach Mark Kennedy has revealed that stepping across to the other side of the football fence was not something he always planned to do.

Town recently announced that the former Republic of Ireland international was set to retire from playing at the end of the season and assume a position in manager Paul Jewell’s backroom team for the new campaign.

But the transition has already taken place and the experienced all-rounder — he started as a flying winger but his most recent first team appearances were in a defensive role — already has some valuable experience under his belt.

Kennedy said: “This came about after many discussions with the manager over a period of time. We’ve had numerous chats about where I wanted to go and what the manager’s views were.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work it out. I’m 36 in May so it’s not as if I have 10 years left in me or anything like that. It’s something I want to do and I’m very grateful to the manager for giving me an opportunity.

“Was it always in the back of my mind? No, not at all, to be honest. As a player you just want to play and you carry on doing that. As you get older you mature and there’s a lot more responsibility attached to being a senior pro.

“But coaching didn’t really come into my mind until the last two years. I spoke quite recently to a previous manager I worked with and I asked him if he had always intended to be a coach but he said it had just happened and the same thing has happened to me.

“There was always a possibility that this would be my last year as a player and after conversations with the manager it got to the stage that we were both happy. The manager decided — and I’m really grateful to him for this — that it would probably be easier if I started now rather than wait and come in at the start of next season.”

Kennedy has not featured for Town since November when he started the 4-0 defeat at Burnley before making way for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas at half-time. Signed at a cost of £75,000 from Cardiff in the summer of 2010, he has amassed 37 appearances without scoring.

He added: “I’m still employed by the club as a player and I’m sure that if Cressy got injured I would probably be thrown in at the deep end. There was no specific time as such [to stop playing and start coaching] but I’m at that stage of my career.

“Cressy has had a great season, which hasn’t surprised me in the slightest. I was very impressed with him from the first day he walked into the club and he’s got a great future ahead of him.

“We also hope Joe Whight can push him along and get himself involved a bit more next season. As far as left-backs go, I think we are in some very capable hands."

Photo: Action Images

Sindre94 added 19:41 - Apr 19 I think he will do a solid job for us as a coach
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buryblue77 added 19:42 - Apr 19 Good luck for the future, didn't quite work out as a player here but maybe came along a couple of years too late. I think he'll make a good coach, maybe our new defensive coach?
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blue979 added 20:07 - Apr 19 he's got to be given a good send off on saturday if this season is to be his last as a player.
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fussysnake added 20:18 - Apr 19 I agree with blue979 - we should definatly play him either against Millwall or Donny. Would also like to see some of the youth get a run out like Joe Whight and Byron Lawrence...
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fourth added 20:22 - Apr 19 Coaching is a highly technical job that means knowledge of protecting players physically, developing them to the limit of their abilities and being able to inspire. It usually means qualification. It is also demands a high level of intelligence and flexibility. Experience? Of course. But it's a very demanding job.
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Karlosfandangal added 20:51 - Apr 19 Agree with blue and fussy Kennedy should play this Saturday as Millwall was his first club
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Sindre94 added 21:32 - Apr 19 Rather play Whight or Cressy!
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cornishnick added 22:39 - Apr 19 I wouldn't be at all surprised if he goes on to become a future Town manager
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BoxerBlue added 23:04 - Apr 19 Great player lost his legs a couple of seasons ago but never his ability or determination will make a great coach IMO
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Garv added 23:07 - Apr 19 Fantastic against Arsenal in both legs. That's what I'll remember him for. Hopefully he can do a good job as a coach.
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rosseden added 00:24 - Apr 20 Always impressed with the way he talked and organised on the pitch. Seems to have the right mentality for coaching or managing. Be interesting to see how this works out. . . . .
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Lukeybluey added 01:35 - Apr 20 Possible future Management material???
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DiamondGezzer added 06:44 - Apr 20 A good servant to football in general. Hope he goes on to succeed in his new role.
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Tractorcookie added 08:50 - Apr 20 Garv - I agree with you totally, I thought he was the major reason (apart from a rare goal from Priskin!) that we came out on top @ PR. I think is much more the right approach for town - easing people with experience of the club into positions where they can help educate the younger players
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