Michael Johnson is soaking in as much advice as possible as he prepares to take charge of Notts County's Youth Team next season.
Johnson hung up his boots last month after a long and successful career in professional football, racking up over 600 appearances in total.
After three seasons in the wilderness the Youth Team will return next season and Johnson has been tapping into the knowledge of his former managers to prepare him for life on the coaching staff.
Johnson played under the likes of Neil Warnock, Mick Walker, Russell Slade, Howard Kendall and Colin Murphy at Meadow Lane earlier in this career.
After moving to Birmingham in 1995 Johnson was managed by Trevor Francis and later Steve Bruce before moving to Derby County in 2003 where the hot-seat was occupied by George Burley, followed by Phil Brown, Billy Davies and Paul Jewell before he returned to Meadow Lane last year to link up with his old friend Ian McParland.
And Johnson has been delighted with the best wishes and advice he has been given.
He said: "I have worked under some great Managers in my career, so I have spoken to a lot of them to tap into their knowledge now I'm in this new role.
"They've been kind enough to say they're at the end of the phone if I need them.
"That is touching and I've been learning a hell of a lot off of the staff here as well.
"After the season finished I spent quite a lot of time in the Youth Office preparing things because nothing was there before, so it is a case of building everything from scratch.
"There are so many things to do you couldn't imagine and I've had a joke with the staff about life on the 'other side'.
"I'm really looking forward to next year and the challenges that lie ahead.
"I know the lads I'll be working with and they're a good group, and it will be interesting how they deal with the transition too."
Johnson's brief from McParland is simple, to work alongside Centre of Excellence Manager Mick Leonard to produce talent fit enough to grace the first team - and the former Jamaica International is confident he can deliver.
"The Manager has said my role is to bring young players on, and I'll be doing just that," he said.
"I have so much to offer from my career and I'm determined to produce players to one day turn out for Notts County's first team."
