Bunn expects tough 12 months

A cult hero at Boundary Park during his playing career, Frankie Bunn says nothing will replace the thrill of scoring goals in front of a packed terrace, but he does admit coaching was the only alternative career he would entertain.

Coventry City’s First Team Coach is just short of completing his first month on the UEFA Pro Licence, as he looks to attain the highest coaching accolade in the game. His first taste of coaching came at Wigan shortly after he retired and he then moved to Manchester City in 1998. Now at the Ricoh Arena, he is looking forward to combining his role at Coventry with his studies for football’s elite coaching badge.

"It’s been very enlightening," Bunn said of the course so far.

"It takes you into areas where I haven’t been before. We’re looking at business, contracts and different management styles so it has been excellent.

"You can never beat playing, but coaching is definitely the next best thing. It gives you a greater appreciation of the game. All the lads [on the Pro Licence] enjoy it and it’s what we live and breathe for, constantly looking forward to the next game."

Manchester United midfielder, Paul Scholes, cited Bunn as his favourite player of all time (alongside Andy Ritchie) and his record haul of six goals in a League Cup tie against Scarborough suggests Scholes is not the only Latics fan to adore their former forward. Injury forced Bunn out of the game in the early 1990s and he now wants to learn as much as he can in the next 12 months as he continues his coaching adventure.

The Pro Licence concentrates on areas of football which aren’t strictly related to the 11-a-side spectacle but are nevertheless important factors, such as how to handle the media, how to deal with agents, finance and employment law.

"It’s all been very interesting, but there have been a few things which I’ve found a little bit harder that I’ll need to revisit," said Bunn, who also turned out for Luton and Hull during his playing days.

"Coaching is hard work and getting your qualifications is tough," he continued.

"But you can go on any course and you’ll pick something up. We’re open-minded. We learn off each other, we watch other people work and take something from them, even the managers you’ve played under; you take a little bit from them and adapt it to your own style. But you need to look at what you perceive to be their bad points as well and make sure you don’t copy them.

"The Pro Licence has been fantastic so far, but I'm sure it’s going to be a tough year."