WHILE TRIBUTES WERE paid from around the football world when Alex Ferguson called time on his dominant reign at Manchester United back in May, his backroom left quietly via the side door at Carrington weeks later.
Along with first team coach Rene Meulensteen and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, Mike Phelan departed the club over the summer despite Ferguson making the suggestion to his successor David Moyes to keep the trio as continuity would be important.
The Scot didn’t take the advise, however, and opted to bring in his own team of Steve Round, Jimmy Lumsden and Chris Wood while Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs were also handed coaching roles.
Phelan, who was signed by Ferguson in 1989, had spent 12 years on first team coaching staff and became assistant manager when Carlos Queiroz left in 2008.
Eric Steele has been quoted as saying that Moyes’ decision was the wrong one, but how does Phelan feel about events?
“It’s easy to say things would have better if everyone had been kept together but football doesn’t work like that,” he said in Dublin yesterday.
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“You have to go into a football club and work with people that you know. David had worked with the staff at Everton so I thought it was a natural thing that happened. It’s disappointing from a personal point of view but these things go on.
You look forward rather than going back. I had a great spell there and I think David and his staff will take time to settle in but they can do that. It’s not a problem as it’s a magnificent football club and they will get every resource and help that they possibly can get in order to be successful.”
Six months have passed since it was confirmed that the 51-year-old was leaving and he has used the time to reflect on a hectic decade as well as undertaking some media work.
“It’s a different perspective when you’ve had so long at a football club at Manchester United. It’s 24/7, intense, everyday of the week. There’s always something going on that you have to take care of.
“It’s quite refreshing in some respects as you’re seeing football as a match rather than just looking at it from a Manchester United point of view.”
Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Archive/Press Association Images
While Steele has found a home at Derby County, Meulensteen recently became assistant to fellow Dutchman Martin Jol at Fulham. Phelan says he is just as keen to get back involved in club football but wants to wait for the right opportunity to arise.
“I’d like to (return) because football has been my business since I left school really with playing, coaching and managing. That’s what I know. That’s my area of expertise. All being well, if an opportunity arises then we’ll look at it and try get back into the game.
“When you’re in the game, everything is happening all the time so you very rarely get any time to reflect.”
During a career which saw him line out for Burnley, Norwich, Manchester United and West Brom, Phelan, whose father hails from Kilkenny, reveals that he chose to represent Ireland at international level — but was turned down by then manager John Giles.
“I was at Burnley as a kid of 18 and I had to make a decision – Ireland or England,” he says.
I discussed it with my dad and chose Ireland but when it got to Johnny (Giles) he just wasn’t interested. He knocked it on the head.
“Funnily enough, the week after England asked me if I would go with them. It was a case that I had just been knocked back by Ireland so what was I going to do? I discussed it again with my old fella and he said ‘Look son, you’ve given them a chance. You do what’s right’. So I chose England.
“It was disappointing but that’s what he (Giles) wanted to do. It’s not a regret but it would have been nice. Ireland were looking like they could go places in that period.”
Mike Phelan was speaking in Dublin where Setanta Sports announced their Christmas and New Year’s fixtures. To subscribe to Setanta Sports visit setanta.com
Fergie’s right-hand man waiting for the right opportunity to return
WHILE TRIBUTES WERE paid from around the football world when Alex Ferguson called time on his dominant reign at Manchester United back in May, his backroom left quietly via the side door at Carrington weeks later.
Along with first team coach Rene Meulensteen and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, Mike Phelan departed the club over the summer despite Ferguson making the suggestion to his successor David Moyes to keep the trio as continuity would be important.
The Scot didn’t take the advise, however, and opted to bring in his own team of Steve Round, Jimmy Lumsden and Chris Wood while Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs were also handed coaching roles.
Phelan, who was signed by Ferguson in 1989, had spent 12 years on first team coaching staff and became assistant manager when Carlos Queiroz left in 2008.
Eric Steele has been quoted as saying that Moyes’ decision was the wrong one, but how does Phelan feel about events?
“It’s easy to say things would have better if everyone had been kept together but football doesn’t work like that,” he said in Dublin yesterday.
“You have to go into a football club and work with people that you know. David had worked with the staff at Everton so I thought it was a natural thing that happened. It’s disappointing from a personal point of view but these things go on.
Six months have passed since it was confirmed that the 51-year-old was leaving and he has used the time to reflect on a hectic decade as well as undertaking some media work.
“It’s a different perspective when you’ve had so long at a football club at Manchester United. It’s 24/7, intense, everyday of the week. There’s always something going on that you have to take care of.
“It’s quite refreshing in some respects as you’re seeing football as a match rather than just looking at it from a Manchester United point of view.”
While Steele has found a home at Derby County, Meulensteen recently became assistant to fellow Dutchman Martin Jol at Fulham. Phelan says he is just as keen to get back involved in club football but wants to wait for the right opportunity to arise.
“I’d like to (return) because football has been my business since I left school really with playing, coaching and managing. That’s what I know. That’s my area of expertise. All being well, if an opportunity arises then we’ll look at it and try get back into the game.
“When you’re in the game, everything is happening all the time so you very rarely get any time to reflect.”
During a career which saw him line out for Burnley, Norwich, Manchester United and West Brom, Phelan, whose father hails from Kilkenny, reveals that he chose to represent Ireland at international level — but was turned down by then manager John Giles.
“I was at Burnley as a kid of 18 and I had to make a decision – Ireland or England,” he says.
“Funnily enough, the week after England asked me if I would go with them. It was a case that I had just been knocked back by Ireland so what was I going to do? I discussed it again with my old fella and he said ‘Look son, you’ve given them a chance. You do what’s right’. So I chose England.
“It was disappointing but that’s what he (Giles) wanted to do. It’s not a regret but it would have been nice. Ireland were looking like they could go places in that period.”
Mike Phelan was speaking in Dublin where Setanta Sports announced their Christmas and New Year’s fixtures. To subscribe to Setanta Sports visit setanta.com
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