Reflecting on your managerial career to date, you have managed at Warrenpoint, Portadown, and Ards, what are the key lessons that have you taken from these experiences?
“Reflecting on my managerial career so far, I’ve had some really enjoyable and successful spells, particularly at Warrenpoint and Portadown. Starting chronologically, my journey began at Warrenpoint shortly after I retired as a player. At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure what the next chapter would look like. I had just stepped away from playing and was taking some time out when Barry Gray approached me about becoming his assistant manager.
“Quite early on—only four or five league games into the season—another club came in with an offer for me to become their manager. Barry pulled me aside and said, “Look, another club’s interested in you, and by the way, I’m going to step down. Would you be interested in taking over here?” I accepted, and we went on to win the league convincingly. Looking back now, I realize how good we were. We had some really talented players, and the football we played was excellent. That was a fantastic start to my managerial career. We then moved up to the Premier League, and as expected, it was tough, but we left the club in a stable position, finishing ninth in the league.
“After that, Portadown approached me in late February, with about two months left in the season. Given my history as a player there, and with my staff including Dave Miskelly—who had spent 11 or 12 years at the club—and Chris Wright, a lifelong Portadown fan and youth coach, it felt like a natural next step. The club had a strong pull for all of us.
“In that first season, we didn’t achieve promotion right away, losing in the play-offs. However, the following year we won the league, and I was loving life. I even signed a new contract. In our first season back in the Premier League, we finished ninth, which I considered a solid foundation to build on. I was recently discussing how well Loughgall did last season, also finishing ninth, and it reminded me of what we achieved at Portadown.
“However, things became challenging in the following season. We sold Lee Bonis to Larne for a significant fee in January, but we struggled to replace him and found recruitment increasingly difficult. Ultimately, the club made the decision to relieve me of my duties at the end of January. It was disappointing, as we had finished ninth the previous season and were sitting in 10th at the time, far from rock bottom. But I understand that these things happen in football.
“Within a week, Ards parted ways with their manager, and after some discussions, I took on the role. In hindsight, I rushed into that decision. Even at the time, I knew I needed a break. I had initially agreed to take the job only until the end of the season, but after performing well, the chairman offered me a two-year deal, which I accepted. Around this time last year, though, I started to feel it wasn’t the right fit for me, or perhaps I wasn’t the right fit for them. I had a few conversations with the chairman and told him in November that I wouldn’t be staying beyond the end of my contract. I suggested they begin looking for a successor, but I didn’t walk away mid-season.
“Looking back now, I’ve really enjoyed my time in management. I’ve achieved a lot, including winning two league titles with two different clubs, but I also take immense pride in player development. For instance, I brought Conor McMenamin back into the fold after he had left Linfield and Glentoran under difficult circumstances. At the time, he wasn’t playing and wasn’t sure of his direction. I brought him in, and he performed brilliantly. He eventually moved to Cliftonville, then Glentoran, earned a call-up to the Northern Ireland squad, and now plays for St. Mirren.
“I also helped bring through young talents like Lorcan Forde, who I introduced to senior football at 15 or 16. While it didn’t work out for him at Linfield, he was still a success story. John McGuigan had a fantastic season in the Championship, scoring 20-plus goals, and Stephen Murray, who had already been performing well at Warrenpoint before I arrived, went on to have a successful career. Darren Murray was another player I brought back from the fringes, helping him find form, which led to a big move to Crusaders. While it didn’t work out for him there, I take pride in helping him rediscover his potential.
“At Warrenpoint, I worked with players like Aaron Traynor, who wasn’t progressing much at the time. He performed well with us and earned a move to Coleraine, where he went on to have a strong career in the Irish League. Helping players like that brings me just as much satisfaction as winning titles.
“At Portadown, Lee is a standout example. He was playing park football when we brought him in, and now we’re following his journey as he plays in Holland. That’s a huge achievement for me. Other young players like Dane McCullough, who I gave his debut to at 14, went on to play for Burnley and is now back at Linfield. Sam Glenfield, whom I played in the Premier League at 15, is doing well at Fleetwood, currently on loan at Waterford.
“Other players, like Gerard Storey and Harry Anderson, also passed through, and although it doesn’t always work out for everyone, I take pride in having played a part in their journeys, whether at Portadown or Warrenpoint. When I reflect on my managerial career, that’s what I look back on most fondly: the success of my teams and the development of individual players.”
Given your success with Championship titles, strong finishes in the Premiership, and your track record of developing players, does that fuel your desire to return to management after your break? If the right opportunity were to arise, do you feel ready to step back into a managerial role and continue building on your achievements?
“Not at the moment, no. I made a commitment to myself and my family to take a year off, and I’m not missing it—which is significant, considering I’ve been involved in football full-time since I was 14. I left home at 16, and now at 44, that’s nearly 30 years without a break.
“Management is all-consuming. It takes up all your time. People might say it’s part-time, but you simply can’t hold another job while managing at the Premier League level—it requires too much of your focus and energy. Right now, I’m content not being involved, which tells me I don’t need to rush back into it, and it’s not something I’m craving.
“I’ve done some commentary work recently. I was at the Linfield vs. Loughgall game the other week, and Linfield were outstanding. I found myself thinking about Dean Smith on the touchline, and as a manager, there are times when there’s just nothing you can do. That feeling of helplessness when you’re 5-0 down—another weekend ruined. Then you have to rewatch the game, search for positives to lift your team again, and eventually, it wears you down.
“There are things I wanted to achieve as a manager, but they weren’t possible with the resources available at the clubs I managed, or likely would manage. So, I’m not going to lower my standards again. If a club came to me with a strong youth setup, a stable budget, good facilities, a solid fan base, and proper training infrastructure, I’d consider it. But there aren’t many clubs that fit that description. Some might say I’m being selective, but I have the luxury of being picky because I don’t need to rush into anything. Why put myself under that kind of pressure and stress when I don’t have to?”
Finally, Matthew, would you consider returning to the game as an assistant or as a first team coach, or would you only return as a manager?
“No, I’ve spoken about this before—I’d be more than happy to step into a role as a coach or an assistant. I have no issue with that at all. I’d let the manager handle the challenges I’ve just mentioned, and that could be a possibility down the line.
“I really enjoy coaching and being around the players, so that aspect of the game might suit me better moving forward. Of course, it would depend on having a conversation with a manager to see if it’s the right fit for both of us. Some might worry I’d be after their job, but anyone who knows me knows that’s not my character.
“Right now, I’m coaching with the IFA, working with some of the younger age groups, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s purely about coaching and player development, and that’s where my focus is at the moment.”
Featured image: Portadown FC
Callum McFadden 