STEVEN Reid has admitted that he turned down the opportunity to take up a coaching role with West Brom in order to further his playing career with one more season in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old former Ireland international joined newly-promoted Burnley on a one-year deal last week and is excited about the prospect of playing following a challenging season with West Brom.
He said that, although he had held talks with his former club about remaining on in a coaching capacity, he was more excited about playing on.
Reid said: “There was the possibility of a coaching role. After what was a really long and stressful season, the body feels good at the moment.”
He added: “I did part one of the A licence in the summer, so it’s an avenue that I’m maybe going to look to go down, but playing the amount of Premier League games I did last season I just felt there’s another season in me.
“To be honest it had to be the right challenge, the right club and the right manager as well and luckily for me it all came together and I’m delighted to sign.
“There wouldn’t have been too many who could have persuaded me to sign a deal, and the manager’s done that here.
“The manager wouldn’t have signed me if he didn’t feel I could still do a job on the pitch, so that’s the main thing.”
Despite a career blighted by injury, Reid has more than 10 years’ experience in Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and West Brom and will be well aware of the possibilities of facing into a relegation battle with Burnley.
He said: “I’ve got to be realistic myself and where I’m at in my career and know that I’m not going to play 38 league games next season.
“But as and when the manager needs me and whatever position he sees fit hopefully I’ll be ready to do the job.
“It’s a team that can go into the Premier League with no fear, just give it a right go.
“We’ve seen that the last few years with teams that have got promoted are going to the bigger grounds and getting results, there’s no reason why we can’t do the same this year.”
