ANDY Whing says his role in joint charge of Oxford United’s youth team has given him a taste for a career in management.

It is almost a year since injuries forced the midfielder hung up his boots and retired after 112 appearances for the U’s.

The 31-year-old was quickly offered a chance to coach the youth team, alongside Leon Blackmore-Such.

It has been a busy 12 months since then, with Whing working to get the qualifications he needed to start the next chapter of his life in football.

With the UEFA B licence now out of the way he is aiming to start the 24-month A licence later this year.

The former Coventry City trainee has enjoyed the experience and admits at some point he would love to step up and become a manager.

“Hopefully, yes,” he said.

“Obviously it’s really early to say but I’m learning all the time and picking things up from the manager here.

“I love it and it’s something I want to get my teeth stuck into.”

He added: “It’s been an absolute whirlwind.

“I was driving the minibus the other day and thinking ‘this time last year I was playing in a first team game’.

“Now I’m making cups of tea or dropping the kit down to the laundry, but I love what I do and I’ve been very fortunate to get this opportunity.

“I miss the atmosphere and the pressure of big games.

“But I’ve got my own sort of pressure at the minute trying to improve and learn every day. I’m looking forward to the next step.”

Whing and Blackmore-Such guided United’s under 18s to success in their league, which was wrapped up with a 2-1 win over Swindon Town last weekend.

In the next few days they have the toughest part of the job – sitting down with the second year scholars to tell them they have either got a chance to turn professional with the U’s, or be released.

Whing said: “We’ve experienced it this season with the under 16 players, but I think this will be a lot harder because we’ve been in with them day-in, day-out for the last ten months.

“There are some great lads in there.”