IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK

Last updated : 08 February 2006 By Editor

When you consider some of the pondlife Fergie associates with, his treatment of Kiddo is all the more outrageous. The MEN reports on his return to fitness following his fight against cancer:

Brian Kidd is ready to return to football after winning his fight against a life-threatening illness. The former United assistant manager had to quit as England senior coach shortly before the 2004 Euro championship after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Now he wants to return to work. He's fit, healthy and eager. All he needs is a gentle push in the right direction.

"Well I'm certainly fit all right. That much is certainly true. Last Saturday morning I took the missus a cup of tea in bed and left the house to go running. And three hours later I was still running. In fact I'm pounding the streets of north Manchester every day of the week. The neighbours must think I'm mad.

"I don't want to talk about regaining my health because I don't want people thinking I'm boasting about my recovery. All I will say is I am terribly grateful that the wheels turned the right way for me in the months following my operation.

"I wasn't put off management in any way by my experiences at Blackburn Rovers. I actually think I did a pretty good job during my time at Ewood Park even if the results didn't bear that out.

"But my forte is coaching and that is the sort of position I am looking for right now. I've had one or two offers this past year but, geographically, they haven't suited me. I must admit I get a bit homesick if I travel beyond Ardwick Green. I don't really want the sort of job which would take me too far away from my family and my roots. I love Manchester and everything about it and I don't mind who knows it.

"The good thing is that I'm fit and healthy again and, as the signs outside the shop say, I'm open for business. I do believe that young players can benefit from my years in football at various levels.

"Money cannot buy experience. I just need another door to open for me. Coaching players, young or old, is what I'm best at and I would love to get back into the game in that capacity.

"At the very least being involved at a club again would prevent me from having to go galloping around the streets before the birds are even awake."