Niall McGuinness, the youngest top-flight manager in Europe, has revealed he wants the opportunity to rebuild Rhyl FC as they prepare for life outside of the Dafabet Welsh Premier League.
The future of the 25-year old remains uncertain after the club’s fate was all but sealed on Good Friday following a heavy 4-0 defeat at Aberystwyth.
The result was the latest chapter in what has been a disappointing season for the Lilywhites, who now face a return to the Huws Gray Alliance after a four-year absence.
Rhyl’s relegation from the top-flight will be rubber-stamped if Barry Town clinch promotion this week, but McGuinness wants to remain in charge for a third season and assemble a side that can once again be competitive.
“It’s obviously very tough to take and I’m disappointed and upset at the moment, but I’m a winner. If given the chance I’ll try my best to bring this football club back, now I’ve got a base to build from,” he told Sgorio immediately after the Aberystwyth game.
“At the start of the season we had no players. 29 points isn’t bad, as last season we finished on 27 so there are improvements that have been made but we haven’t met those fine margins, so no excuses, we’ve deservedly been relegated from the league and it’s up to myself, the lads who stay and staff to now re-group and build something a little bit special and bring ourselves back in the future,” he added.
Four players have already committed their future to the club for next season with James Bell, Toby Jones and brothers Alex Jones and James Jones all putting pen to paper.
McGuinness is expected to enter discussions with the Rhyl board to determine his own future ahead of next season but believes his young squad have potential to improve.
“If you went through the stats, and again this is not an excuse, you’re talking over ten players who came from leagues below to come and play in this league.
“They’re young lads and it’s been margins. We have beat Bangor City, we have beat Bala Town but consistency is key in this league with 32 games. It’s something we’ve haven’t been able to do but its fine margins. You think have if we have a couple more years together and a bit more experience added to the team, then I think we won’t be too far away.”
McGuinness will take charge of Rhyl for their final game of the season against Llandudno on Saturday, but his future beyond that remains unclear.
Featured imaged courtesy of the Welsh Premier League.
