Former Republic of Ireland international Andy Reid has spoken about his first six months serving as the international under-18s manager.
The 37-year-old made 29 international appearances for the Irish senior side during his playing career, scoring four goals along the way.
During his club career, the Crumlin man lined out with Tottenham, Sunderland and also had two spells at the City Ground with Nottingham Forest.
He was made the manager of the Republic of Ireland under-18s side in March, and he has spoken to FAI TV about how he has found the first half-year of his tenure.
Describing his first few months as the Head Coach, Reid paid tribute to the senior and under-21 managers:
“Everyone has been great with me. There’s a great group of underage managers and assistants, right up to Stephen Kenny and Mick McCarthy who have been absolutely fantastic with me.
"Any time you have any problems at all you can pick up the phone and when we have our managers’ meetings you’re able to have open discussions.
🎥| Ireland Under-18 Head Coach @AndyReidXI reflects on his first 6⃣ months in the role 🇮🇪
🗣️ "I want to be my own man and develop my own style. The way to do that is by learning from others."
More here 👉 https://t.co/jURp6eipYk#IRLU18 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/n9QebhTkDS— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) September 23, 2019
The Dubliner says he is always picking up new tricks and tips that he feels will help in his progression as a coach.
"I’m learning all the time, in relative terms I’m new to the coaching game so I’m having to improve, having to learn and having to analyse my own strengths and weaknesses and see where I can improve. I feel if I can improve as a coach that gives me a better opportunity to help the players.”
Reid's side have only recently returned from a three-game tournament in Sweden, where they came up against strong international opposition.
They kicked off with a 4-0 defeat against a strong Austrian side, before a draw with hosts Sweden and narrow 1-0 defeat to Norway.
Reid had named his 20-man squad for that tournament at the end of August, in which there were first-time call ups for Oxford United’s Nico Jones, Sunderland forward Cole Kiernan and Norwich City's Tony Springett.
The under-18s also lost 4-0 and then drew 0-0 with Turkey in a double-header of international friendlies back in March.
