Miller realises managerial ambition (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON TOWN: Miller realises managerial ambition

6:00am Friday 22nd February 2013 in Sport By Sam Morshead

TOMMY Miller has had his eyes set on a managerial career for some time and he can’t wait to get stuck into his first experience in a top job at Swindon Town, however long it might last.

Miller was appointed joint caretaker player manager of the club, alongside Darren Ward, on Wednesday following the resignation of former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio and the vast majority of his backroom team.

The midfielder has been busy studying for his UEFA B coaching badge recently and was due to be assessed back in November before injury meant he was packed off to Italy for treatment.

And though his stint in the hotseat at the County Ground may only last a few weeks, as the new owners of Town begin the search for the next manager of the club, the 34-year-old is looking forward to the chance to cut his teeth.

“I’ve always said throughout playing that I’d love to get into management,” he said.

“Obviously you never know if there’s a good time or a bad time, I still want to play, I still feel fit enough to play, but it’s come and it’s a great opportunity.

“Whether it be for one game, two games, until the end of the season, who knows - but we’re going to carry on the good work that’s been done. We know what the training has been all about and we’re going to take it from there and hopefully do ourselves and do the team proud.

“Everything has happened very quickly. Obviously Paolo and his staff have left the club. They’ve done a fantastic job and there’s no denying that.

“We were asked as senior players if we would look after training and take the game for Saturday, which we’ve accepted and we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“The lads have responded fantastically, they’re right behind us and they’re going to give it a good shot.”

The former Ipswich and Huddersfield star does not think directing his teammates will be an issue over the coming days.

“It’s always tricky, you’re good friends with them off the pitch and on the pitch and then you get a chance like this. You’ve got to treat them the same and you’d hope that they’d give you the respect back, which they did,” he said.

“They’ve been very supportive and we’d like to think that would continue for however long it is.”

Both he and Ward have held down regular starting slots in Di Canio’s matchday XI in recent months, but Miller stressed that the pair would be happy to drop themselves if they felt they were not performing.

“We’re both looking to still play. We’re in the team at present, don’t get me wrong if we’re failing to reach the standards that we’ve set we’ll pull ourselves out of the team, no doubt about it,” he said.

“But we both still want to play, we’re both enjoying playing and we may look at something that’s been mentioned which is bringing someone in who’s got more experience who can do the training while we can fully join in.

“I think any manager will tell you it’s the hardest point, leaving players out who have done well. You can only play 11 players and we’ve got a squad which is quite light at the minute but we’ve been doing well.

“If you do well you earn the right to stay in the team. If you’re winning games then I think the team picks itself.”