New Blackpool head coach Mick McCarthy admits he wondered whether football had “retired” him after being out of work for more than 14 months.
The 63-year-old, whose last job ended at Cardiff in October 2021, was appointed by the Seasiders last week to replace Michael Appleton with the club second-bottom in the Championship table and seeking to avoid relegation.
But McCarthy, who has managed at five other clubs as well as two spells with the Republic of Ireland, feared his time had come to an end.
“Did I ever say I was happily retired? I’ve enjoyed it more this week, being back this week, that’s for sure,” he said ahead of his first match, an FA Cup trip to Premier League strugglers Southampton after last weekend’s home league game against Huddersfield was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
“I’ve been out for 14 months and I didn’t know if I would get back and wondered if the game had retired me and [it was] not me retiring.
“I’m officially the oldest one in the league and I’m absolutely thrilled by that because I think I was probably the youngest one at one stage, at Millwall at 33.
“Maybe that’s a sign I’ve had a bit of success in the leagues. I am better able to handle it, with a clearer head than I was when I was 33, and we’ll find out [how much better I am] as I don’t measure myself.
“I’ve got the bit between my teeth. It’s my first game and I’m absolutely buzzing: whether it was the Carabao Cup, FA Cup or a league game I’m really looking forward to it.”
McCarthy will be able to play on-loan Brentford defender Charlie Goode, who joined earlier this week.
It didn’t take McCarthy long to ruffle some feathers however as Scottish Premiership side Hearts hit out at him after he questioned whether they were being honest about his club’s interest in Toby Sibbick.
The recently-appointed Seasiders boss was responding to questions about Sibbick after reports claimed his club had been told the former Barnsley player was not for sale after submitting a bid.
Quoted on Lancashire Live, McCarthy said: “We’ve been looking around at players and (are) interested in players, but I wouldn’t discuss transfers unless someone comes into the building – and then I’d say ‘you’d know by then’.
“I’m not quite sure they (Hearts) are being honest. Are they just trying to trigger somebody else to come in and offer more? I don’t get that. Sometimes people say somebody has bid hoping they can get a bigger bid .
“They say somebody has made a bid, so it looks great to the club, the crowd and the fans that they’re keeping him. Whether we’ve bid or not is for (sporting director) Chris (Badlan) and (chief executive ) Ben (Mansford) to tell you.”
Hearts responded with a statement on Thursday night.
“The club wishes to put an end to speculation surrounding the future of Toby Sibbick,” they said.
“Contrary to comments attributed to Blackpool manager Mick McCarthy earlier today, we can confirm that Blackpool submitted one bid for Toby on Monday, at 8.33pm, which was dismissed out of hand.
“Subsequently, Blackpool have been told that Toby, a much-valued part of our team, is not for sale.
“For anyone to suggest that we have not been ‘honest’ about the situation is, in itself, extremely disingenuous.
“The club would prefer to conduct all transfer matters in private, but we will not sit back and let the good name of Heart of Midlothian be besmirched.”