McManus is proof Jimmy can handle commute

Former Offaly footballer Ciaran McManus has warned Jim McGuinness faces tiring schedules dividing his time between Donegal and Glasgow.

McManus, who commuted between home and Germany, Sweden andEngland during his playing career where he worked as an engineer, is confident this year’s All-Ireland-winning manager can fulfil his new role as performance coach at Celtic without it impacting on his position with Donegal.

However, speaking from experience, he cautions the 39-year-old will have his hands full splitting his time.

“It’s 24-7, it’s tiring,” said McManus. “You’re thinking about where you have to be next not just the week ahead or the one after that but months in advance.

“I remember looking at the league, booking flights in advance and then cursing if the schedule was changed in some way. I was only doing it as a player but it’s more difficult as a manager because he has a lot more people to think about than just himself.

“You’re constantly on alert during your travelling period, thinking about what time you have to leave at, looking at traffic updates, getting through passport control, hoping there are no cancellations.”

McManus’s dedication to Offaly was legendary, training in foreign countries during the week before arriving back on Saturdays to play league and championship games and then flying away again on Sunday evenings.

He feels McGuinness is capable of juggling his dual commitments between the two countries.

“When you want to do these things it won’t be a problem. It’s just about being well organised and managing your time as best as possible. It’s two or three days a week and he can manage it no problem.

“He’ll quickly get into the routine of getting in and out of airports as quickly as possible. The biggest hassle is the driving but when you want to do these things you can organise your life around it.

“Family is the biggest thing but he has obviously spoken to them about it and he’ll prioritise his time.

“For someone like himself, he can work when he’s travelling. The one thing I would always have done is make the most of every slot. It’s tiring and it’s tough going but it’s a great chance for him.”

McManus believes the management team McGuinness has created around him will be invaluable despite what the manager says about not missing training sessions.

“He has a great backroom team and he’s a proven organiser. Even if he does miss a training session or two, I wouldn’t see it as a big issue.”

Meanwhile, the Donegal County Board yesterday issued a press release congratulating McGuinness on his new job. The message, which hadappeared on their Facebook page, read: “CLG Dhún na nGall wish to congratulate senior football team manager Jim McGuinness on his appointment as performance analyst with Celtic. It’s heartening for us as an amateur sporting organisation that other professional codes are now keen to recruit our stars, and that they can learn from the professional way the GAA conducts its affairs. CLG Dhún na nGall can confirm that Jim McGuinness will continue in his role as team manager.”