Kevin O’Connor, who retired from playing in the summer after a 15 year professional career and more than 500 senior games for the Club, has begun his first full time coaching role as assistant to Lee Carsley’s Development Squad.
The 33-year-old is one of the touring party to Portugal and has been able to pass on to new Head Coach Marinus Dijkhuizen and assistant Roy Hendriksen his vast knowledge of the Club and its current players.
“I’m very much enjoying it,” said Kevin, speaking to Bees Player. “I’m getting to know the new Head Coach and his assistant, and they way they want to do things. Hopefully we can go back and implement that for the Under-21s. They are really nice people first and foremost – so far, so good.”
Kevin was enthused by the initial training sessions put on by Dutchman Dijkhuizen and new coaches Gianni Vio and Flemming Pedersen.
“The actual training itself has been very good,” said Kevin. “The standard is very good straight from the off. The players that have come in have adapted and settled in well. There’s more voices, and more opinions but I think that can only help everyone.”
“[The new players] have showed their quality. That’s always important; a new player coming in that the lads see that he’s a good player and is going to help the team and settle in even quicker.”
He has also formed a good bond with Development Squad boss Lee Carsley since the former Republic of Ireland’s arrival at Griffin Park last October.
“Last year he was really good with me,” said Kevin. “It’s just carried on this year. We get on really well and have some similar ideas so it’s working well.”
A full interview with Kevin O'Connor is below