McInnes hints at job offer but 'won't hurry new challenge'

Derek McInnes has revealed he has already had one job offer since leaving Aberdeen but is taking his time before getting back in the dugout.

The 49-year-old left the Dons last month after eight years as manager, and is keen to take on a new challenge at a new club but for the moment, McInnes says the break fro the constant demands of management is welcome.

He told STV he had been approached about a return to work recently but is continuing to take a breather before returning to the game.

“I had one opportunity a couple of weeks ago about something but I think it’s important for me to enjoy some rest, get a bit of family time and be ready for the next one when it comes along,” McInnes said.

“I’m open to anything but at the moment I’m enjoying the break.

“I’m enjoying doing some tv work and watching games and seeing a different side of it. I’m grateful and appreciative of the opportunity to do that.

“I’m just trying to enjoy the down time and getting myself ready for the next job and the next challenge. I’m looking forward to that.

“I think professionally it’s good for me after eight years to have that. It felt, to me, like the right time to leave Aberdeen. I’ll look forward to that next challenge, wherever that may be.

“I just want to work for a good club, good people within the club, and see where we go from there.”

Reflecting on his time at Pittodrie, which ended with a decision “by mutual consent” to leave the club, McInnes was pleased with his work but disappointed not to have won more silverware.

“When I look back, my biggest regret is the fact that we never added to that League Cup that we won,” he said. “We certainly put ourselves in that position.

“When we took over, we wanted to make Aberdeen competitive and relevant again, and they hadn’t been for long spells.

“The fact that we were visiting Hampden more regularly then any other club outside Celtic was indicative of how well we were run, how strong the squad was and how well the staff were working together.”