DARYL MCMAHON

I'm primed, refreshed and ready for a return

- MATT BADCOCK

FROM WATCHING De F Zerbi on the training pitch at Brighton & Hove Albion to picking the brains of Wolves technical advisor Fran Garagarza and attending his daughters' school assemblies, Daryl McMahon has been maximising his time away from the dug-out.

He may only be 39 years old, but the former Dagenham & Redbridge boss has barely stopped since he leapt into the manager's chair at Ebbsfleet. United back in 2014.

Nearly 350 games later, it was time to pause.

"For me, it's a really important time to reflect on what you did well and what you didn't do well, what you can do better going forward," McMahon tells The NLP. "It's going out and meeting people, doing things you never normally have time to do because you're so swallowed up in the job and how busy that is."

That's seen an invitation to Premier League Brighton through his trusted assistant Steve Gritt, he's been into League Two champions Leyton Orient, his former club, to speak to manager Richie Wellens, spent time with Cambridge United boss Mark Bonner, and delivered tutoring sessions for The PFA for potential new coaches.

Of course, it has also al lowed for reflection from his more than three years at Daggers, which included navigated the covid period.

He left in February by his own instigation despite a win against Aldershot Town that had them five points outside the play-offs. His mutual departure came just hours before the side he prepared all week inflicted just a third defeat of the season on Notts County.

The club generated good money on the sale of Josh Walker to Burton Albion, while others like Brandon Comley moved to Walsall and Will Wright to Gillingham. He looks back with satisfaction.