David Weir has revealed that he turned down several opportunities to move into management before agreeing to take charge of Sheffield United.
The 43-year-old former Rangers defender was appointed as the League One club's new boss on Monday.
Weir, who worked under David Moyes as reserve team coach at Everton, has said that he was determined to wait for the right club to come along before taking up his first managerial post.
"I preferred to learn in the background and develop that way," BBC Sport quotes Weir as saying. "But he (Moyes) and I both agree it's time for me to be a manager.
"It's a massive step, but I've prepared myself for it. Although I played until a ripe old age, I was learning, I was helping with coaching at Rangers, and at Everton in the last couple of years, I've been coaching as well and learning from a great manager. I've basically shadowed him and tried to pick up as much as I can."
Weir has replaced caretaker manager Chris Morgan at Bramall Lane.
Steven Toplis
