Niall McGuinness, the youngest professional football coach UK

The young Niall McGuinness (Picture: Welsh Football Trust)

The hundreds of freckles covering his beardless face image increase child Niall McGuinness , a red - haired young man who is drawing attention in Europe. And not for his dribbling or goals on a pitch, but by their decisions from the bench. At 24 years she has become the youngest coach in professional football in the UK after being named coach of Rhyl FC, ​​Club Welsh Premier League (top flight in Welsh). Portuguese Mourinho confessed admirer, his youth and lack of experience in the elite are not accepted impediment to face the difficult challenge of trying to save the descent to his hometown club , a club with over 130 years of history. A brave adventure featuring his father as an assistant.

"If I have received the opportunity a little early? Yes, but I have taken and I'll make the best of it. Rhyl'm a guy, so having this job is a dream" explained technical jovencísimo Tuesday the BBC.

Rhyl FC, last in the First Division Welsh , with only three wins in 25 games this season, has since last October without a win and have searched Niall McGuinness a shock to avoid demotion. New coach debut last weekend with a draw against Haverfordwest (1-1), the current bottom side. A game that had the help of an assistant with which to perfection was understood: . Laurie McGuinness, his father "It is a pleasure to work with him" said Niall when asked about the fact of having his father as and assistant coach.

The fans of Rhyl has pinned its hopes of salvation in the McGuinness, a clan united family inside and outside the pitch: "We support each other and give us ideas. It means a lot to us to be there and I can guarantee that no one will fight more than two of us for this team. "

"In football it is important to trust and respect, and that we have it . It enjoys experience, knowledge and passion for the sport , "added the young Niall.And is that Laurie McGuinness and was part of the coaching staff of a Rhyl FC very different from today. That team was able to sign the hat - trick in the 2003-2004 season , winning League Welsh Cup and League Cup.Successes far from the current goal of avoiding relegation to second.

Admirer of Mourinho

Niall McGuinness, who recently won the UEFA license to train, has very clear ideas and model of game that wants to implement in his first club."Mourinho is my inspiration" , he explained to the BBC. Its mirror is the laureate Portuguese coach. "It was not a professional footballer and focused on training since I was very young. And so he has achieved everything he has: the Champions League and league titles in teams like Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. It 's incredible , "he claimed.

But the Portuguese is not their only reference and also feels a deep devotion to an institution of the bench, the Scottish Alex Ferguson . Nor Rhyl FC are the only club that leads into the heart. "I'm a big fan of Manchester United, so Sir Alex Ferguson is someone I respect a lot."

For Niall McGuinness reminiscent of Julian Nagelsmann. The German was appointed in early February, coach of Hoffenheim and 28 years and 203 days, became the youngest coach in the history of the Bundesliga. Nagelsmann, who until now headed the Under-19 team, relieved the Dutch Huub Stevens, who resigned because of an arrhythmia.