SEAN Regan’s last act as Liversedge’s number two was to become temporary number one, guiding them to a dominant 2-0 win over Albion Sports last Monday with boss Jonathan Rimmington unwell.

But he has now departed the Northern Counties East League Premier Division side, and the former Eccleshill United and Thackley manager is not without his admirers.

Other clubs have already offered him a managerial post since leaving Sedge, but at this stage, he seems keen to focus on mentoring other coaches, like he does in his role at the FA.

It was an extraordinarily successful spell at Sedge for Regan, a club he joined just over a year ago.

He said: “I didn’t go there with the intention of being the manager. I was asked by Rimmo if I could support him and I never expected it go so well.

“We never lost in the league while I was there, there was just one defeat to Irlam in the FA Cup.

“It’s such a talented group of players and you’d expect some of them to go on to big things in the next couple of years. The bar is set really high there now.

“I’d gone in there to help the team progress and they’ve done that, so I just got the feeling it was time to stop.

“I do work differently from other people, which was a factor too.”

And Regan got the chance to put his own stamp on proceedings against Albion.

He said: “I was buzzing after the Albion game, to go up against an old mate in (their boss) Pav Singh and a few of my old Eccleshill lads and put in one of our best performances of the season, it just felt right.

“I just got that vibe you get when you’re in charge and everything goes to plan, but then obviously I knew I’d have to step back for whenever our next game was.”

Regan is not sure whether he wants to become a manager elsewhere straightaway though, saying: “I had a few offers overnight on the day I left Sedge to become a manager, from clubs that are keen, but I don’t want to jump in too quickly.

“I’ve had opportunities to work at a higher level in the past too, but they just weren’t right for me.

“The thing of paramount importance to me is my job as a PE teacher at a school, which is so rewarding, so it’s got to fit around that.

“Never say never about becoming a manager in the future though, as one of the things I love is the psychology side of things, the nitty-gritty of managing a team and individuals, getting to know characters and getting it right with them.”

Regan, who ran his own football academy for nine years and used to work full-time in the professional game, with Manchester United no less, may have something else in mind for now though.

He said: “I’ve already got clubs asking me to mentor coaches, that’s separate to my job with the FA, and it’s something I’m keen to do.

“I’ve got a coaching group that I’ve set up around Bradford, working together with a lot of prospective and developing coaches, often from hard to reach Asian communities.

“I was able to take a group of them down to St George’s Park (the FA’s national football centre) not so long ago, along with some players too.

“With the coaches we’re just trying to help them get things like their UEFA qualifications.

“I’ve done a lot of work coaching in Manningham and I like working in those kind of communities, building a relationship with people.”

And Regan is well-loved in Bradford footballing circles, with many of his former players, like ex-Eccleshill duo Sam Bradley and Aran Basi, quick to send gushing messages after his departure from Sedge.

He said: “It did fill me with pride, seeing those comments.

“There were a lot of them as I’ve coached at virtually all of the local clubs at this level at some point.

“I left Eccleshill (his last managerial role) because I wanted to move on to different challenges and give someone else a go there. I’m a driven person and like to set myself those challenges.”