DAVID HEALY insists he will have no difficulty casting off his 'Mr Nice Guy' image as he makes the transition from his status as Northern Ireland's all-time leading scorer to new Linfield manager.
The 36-year-old from Killyleagh, who has taken over in the Blues hotseat from former international team-mate Warren Feeney, was introduced to the Linfield faithful at Windsor Park before Wednesday night's League Cup defeat to Ballinamallard.
Healy scored 36 times in his 95 international appearances, a tally that included a memorable winning goal against England in 2005 and a hat-trick against Spain a year later.
The former Manchester United reserve, who played for a total of 10 clubs, including Fulham in the Premier League and Rangers in the SPL, was unveiled to the media in Belfast on Thursday, where he contemplated his first role in management with refreshing honesty. Having been hero-worshipped by Northern Ireland fans in the past, he is fully aware the attitude of most Irish League supporters is likely to be very different while he is in charge of the Blues.
"I understand the situation. If you're Linfield, you're Linfield, if you're not, you don't like us, simple as. I understand that because I've been brought up on it," he said.
"That's football, I'm big enough. I've been jeered off by 35,000 fans when getting subbed at Leeds United. I haven't had it here [when playing for Northern Ireland] too much, but there've been times when I hadn't been scoring goals, I've had it.
"I understand what comes with having this role at Linfield, especially the management job, it's my team on the pitch, the players are representing me. The Ballinamallard crowd that were there last night were applauding and stuff, but I can't imagine some of the other opposition teams would have given me such a warm welcome."
Healy also recognises the fact that some of his players could be in awe of him, such was his status as a northern footballing icon, but he is determined to change that perception, should it exist.
"The playing days have gone - I want them to respect me not for the player I was, but as the coach, the manager and the person that I am," he said.
"I needed a manager there for me at times and I wanted someone to lean on at times. We all have wives, kids, problems, so I'll be saying 'come and speak to me' if you're struggling with form or if you can't turn up because I've probably been there. I will try and speak to them individually over the next week or so to let them know I'll be there for them. I said to them at the match last night briefly, my door's always open.
"People talk about my soft nature, but I am not that soft natured. I don't want the players thinking 'David Healy's a nice guy, [so] I will just turn up and not perform' and the players will be [made] fully aware of that. I will be highly critical at times and, as a player, I always preferred to be told the truth and I will tell them the truth.
"I didn't play for the amount of clubs I played for in England and the amount of times for Northern Ireland I if I didn't have an edge and I want my players every single time they set foot on the grass to have an edge, be it in training or on a Saturday."
It's one of local football's well-worn clichés that Linfield fans demand success and that's something Healy is determined to bring to a club that hasn't won the Gibson Cup since 2012.
"I know what Linfield means to the people over here. I know what it means to the staff and the fans. We haven't won the league for a few years, for whatever reason, I don't know." he added.
"I don't want a bedding in period, I don't want a honeymoon period. I'm coming in, we're still in three competitions and I want to win all three. Of course, there's pressure, but I have never shied away from it. There was pressure when I played for Northern Ireland whenever I didn't score for 1,200 minutes or whatever it was.
"It will be tough, there are some good teams, even if you go right down the league. For example, Ballinamallard - credit to them, they were organised, all their players knew their roles.
"The longer it goes without winning the title again, the tougher it'll become. The last thing I want is to let it go for three or four years; some time, the rot has got to stop and I am hoping it will be this year.
