New Barnet FC First Team Coach Kevin Nugent has expressed his delight at joining the Bees, and is optimistic about his team’s chances of success this season.
Speaking after training, the Bees’ boss discussed his career to date, and what he hopes to achieve during his time at The Hive:
“I’m really excited,” he said.
“Barnet are a well-run club and we’re in a reasonable position in the league now, so I’m certainly looking forward to it.
“I watched the performance on Tuesday night against Morecambe, and I’m hoping that we can build on that.
“I’ve played against Barnet a number of times over the years when they were at Underhill, and I’ve been a coach with teams playing against them at The Hive.
“It’s always been a difficult place to come and it’s a fantastic set up.
“I know the club very well actually; I’ve got a lot of family members who are season ticket holders, and they’re always filling me in on the latest goings-on.
“I’ve watched them a few times this season too.
“This is a really settled club and it’s one that is hopefully going places.
“I think we’ve got a good squad with a nice balance between younger and older players.
“There are some good young players coming through and that balance is important.
“They look like a good group who are fit and have lots of energy.
“To travel up to Morecambe for six hours, play the way that they did, then travel back and train the way they did today was excellent.
“I’ve only seen the players for a day or so, but I’m happy with what I’ve seen.
“The period that we’re focusing on is from now until the end of the season.
“I said to the players today that there’s 15 games left – if we all pull together and pull in the right direction then we’re capable of anything.
“It could be a really exciting time, but the most important thing now is just Saturday’s match against Portsmouth.
“Some Barnet supporters might not know an awful lot about me, but I’ve been caretaker manager on a few occasions.
“I always felt that I wanted to make sure I was ready before taking a Head Coach job.
“I feel that I’ve worked in all different areas of a football club now – I’ve been first team coach, assistant manager, caretaker, and I’ve done scouting and the youth team too.
“So I know exactly how a football club is run and how to get the best out of a club.
“In terms of my style of play, I ideally I want to play attacking football with an end product that excites the fans.
“I’ve learnt loads from the various managers that I’ve worked with in the past.
“I was assistant to Kenny Jackett at Swansea City when we got promoted from League Two.
“I’ve also worked with Martin Ling, Geraint Williams, Russell Slade and Nathan Jones, who all have fantastic qualities.
“Russell Slade’s man management was excellent – that’s an example of the kind of thing I’ve picked up.
“I’m really relishing being a manager in my own right now; I’m ready for it and I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m looking forward to working with Ross Eames too, and we’ve struck up a good relationship right away – I’ll be relying heavily on him as well.
“We just want to improve on a few little things, and I’ll be working with Ross and the rest of the coaching staff to do that.”
