After being involved with the coaching set-up at Coleraine for over a decade Trevor McKendry says now is the right time to step down from his boyhood club.
McKendry said he has been "living the dream" since moving to The Showgrounds as part of Oran Kearney's backroom team in 2011.
The former Portstewart boss has played a key role in the Bannsiders' success in recent years and admitted it has broken his heart taking the decision to step away.
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“The 12 years or so had a bit of everything,” he said.
“I always said that I was living the dream being involved at Coleraine because I was.
“I supported the club since I was a boy and I remember seeing the team who won the Irish League title in 1974.
“There have been a lot of highs and a few lows along the way but I tend to always focus on the highs.
“It’s been brilliant and the decision to step away has broken my heart as football has been my life.
“Football has given me a structure, I knew what I was doing every week and it was very tough to let go of that.
“I just think it’s my time to step away at my age as there’s a lot of very good young coaches coming through.
“It is still very raw talking about it but I’m totally grateful for my time at Coleraine.
“I have said to Oran that I can watch other teams and players when I’m needed and I’ll certainly be at as many games as possible.
“It’s been a hell of a rollercoaster but I know the club is going from strength to strength and moving forward.”
McKendry feels "there’s no better man" than Kearney to lead Coleraine forward, especially given the challenges for clubs now to compete.
He hailed the Bannsiders boss' qualities saying Kearney is "different class".
“When I left Portstewart, I was finished with football and had no plans on returning,” said McKendry.
“Oran gave me a phone call and asked if I would be interested in going to Limavady with him.
“To be honest, it gave me a new lease of life and how he speaks about the game, his man-management and everything else, it’s honestly different class.
“He has grown into an experienced Irish League manager and look at what he achieved in Scotland with St Mirren.
“He has got a great team around him as Winkie Murphy has become one of my best friends and his knowledge and drive is second to none, with Steven Douglas also being a great motivator and he has a wealth of knowledge.
“The physio department of Ciaran Ferris and Alan Millar are also brilliant, alongside Dr Peter Reid and Darrell Coyles as kitman. It is a tight knit bunch of good guys who only want the best for Coleraine.
“The club is in good hands and there’s no doubt it’s got tougher with the landscape changing in the Irish League, but there’s no better man than Oran to meet those challenges.”
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