DEAN HOLDSWORTH accepts he will probably be the most hands-on director of football around after returning to football with Brentwood Town.
The 46-year-old former Premier League forward was in an opposing dug-out to Sir Alex Ferguson four years ago during Aldershot’s League Cup run, but he has picked the Ryman North play-off winners as his next stop.
Holdsworth, who won the Conference South with Newport County in 2010, says he will be bringing a British feel to the more European job spec – and won’t be keeping a watchful eye of proceedings from a seat up in the stands.
Brentwood may be as far from the continent as you can get but having started his managerial career at Redbridge, the ex-Wimbledon goal-getter won’t shy away from the challenge.
The Ryman Premier newcomers will appoint a first team manager to complete the set this week and Holdsworth said: “I’m excited to be back involved, I have been to so many matches since leaving Chelmsford City at the end of 2013 it’s almost like I’ve still been in the game.
“I am going to be a hands-on director of football, very hands on. It will be a partnership with the new manager when we confirm the appointment in the next few days.
“I’m not one of those who would be satisfied sitting in the stands like you see on the TV in the Champions League! My aim is to be in the dugout, and also to assist day to day. It will be nice to get close to a football again.”
Holdsworth hopes to combine his work at Brentwood to help drive his ever-growing Non-League Footballers’ Association forward – and although chairman Brian Hallett would be happy with a second season at Step 3, he has grander ambitions.
“You don’t climb a mountain to get half way to the top,” Holdsworth said. “The chairman is happy with safety but this is an affluent area – if we can bring a successful side to the next level then the support will be there.”
