Dean Holden has spoken of his love for the job as Bristol City manager and reveals his desire to step back into the dugout in the near future.
The 42-year-old spent four years as assistant to Lee Johnson before taking the helm following the latter's sacking in July 2020.
Holden was initially caretaker head coach of the Robins before being appointed full-time just a month later on a 12-month rolling contract following a run of two wins and two draws in their final five matches of the season.
In the following campaign, he oversaw four consecutive victories at the beginning of the season but results became wildly inconsistent around Christmas before a stretch of six consecutive league defeats led to his dismissal in February with the club in 13th.
Nigel Pearson has taken the reins since as he attempts to fix issues both on and off the pitch while Holden would join Michael O'Neill at Stoke as his assistant. He left Ashton Gate with 18 victories and 18 defeats in 41 matches.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Holden made it clear he wants to return to management in the near future after gaining more experience in the Potteries.
"I think I some point in the future I'd love to do it again, it was a job I absolutely loved, I've got to be honest," he said. "When I decided to go back in as an assistant having been a manager, it was important that I could work with a guy that I could really learn from.
"Michael's a great manager, a hugely successful national manager, I've learned so much in the seven or eight months I've worked with him so that's for me the most important. I'm definitely a better assistant having been a manager because I know what it feels like to walk in those shoes."
Holden was linked with the vacant Walsall job last month having enjoyed a successful time at the Banks's Stadium as a player and later as a first-team coach. However, the League Two side opted for Michael Flynn who made former Robins playmaker Lee Tomlin first signing.
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