Alan McCormack is planning for life after his playing days come to an end by taking his coaching badges.
The Irishman would love to become a manager one day and is already looking at how things are run in an analytical way.
And, while the 32-year-old believes he has some time left in the game, he is passionate about bringing through the next generation of players.
The Brentford midfielder said: “I'm doing my coaching badges as I'm looking to prolong my career in football. I think it's a great set-up here.
“The facilities for the development side and youth side are fantastic. I trust my ability in coaching.
“It's something I'm very passionate about. I've still got a lot of years left to play. I want to be a manager one day. There's no point in doing your coaching badges if you don't want to be a manager.”
McCormack has worked with a variety of managers and he believes he has learnt from all of them.
That being said, the midfielder does not want to be a clone of a former boss but his own person.
He added: “I don't want to be like any of them because I've learnt so much from all of them. You pick up so many little things that you like or not.
“You remember the players' reactions and the effects on the training. I'd like to bring them all into one and create the perfect manager. All the managers at Brentford have been great for me personally.”
McCormack's first manager was Uwe Rosler and the Irishman thrived under the German's insatiable desire to be the best.
He explained: “Uwe's best trait was he demanded us to be the best all the time. His training sessions combined everything.”
Mark Warburton took over from Rosler and McCormack was impressed by his dedication to plan A and only plan A.
He revealed: “Warbs created an environment of a little target at the end of the month. It made a difference in the dressing room.
“He never wanted to change his style of play. He wanted it to be plan A and plan B was to do plan A better.
“I thought at times that you have to have a plan B but if you're on your best plan A no team's plan A should ever beat you. It's a good thing to have. Adapting to that is something I'll take away.”
Marinus Dijkhuizen took over as head coach last summer and, while his training methods were used as a reasons for his quick departure, McCormack took some of his coaching ideas on board.
The Irishman said: “Marinus was very much the coacher. He wanted to coach all the time. We'd do training sessions on our weaker foot only.”
Lee Carsley took over from the Dutchman in September and restored the Brentford of the Warburton era.
What impressed McCormack, though was how the popular boss kept things simple.
He said: “Carso brought the energy, pace and demanded the simple things.”
Dean Smith took over in November and, for McCormack, the freedom of thought is what he has been most impressed with.
He added: “The gaffer has come in. he tries to get us thinking on our own. He tries to set up samples or situations where things happen in a game.
“A game is never how you set it out to be so you have to think for yourself.”
