Interim reign has given former Irish League star taste for future manager ambitions
Former Irish League star Ciaran Caldwell admits an interim spell in charge of Ballymena United gave him a taste of hopefully what’s to come in the future as he looks to forge his own path in management.
Caldwell was promoted from his role as U20s manager to Sky Blues boss on a temporary basis following Jim Ervin’s exit and masterminded their BetMcLean Cup quarter-final victory over high-flying Larne.
His short reign came to an end following a 2-1 Premiership defeat to Dungannon Swifts on Saturday with Oran Kearney appointed by the Co Antrim club the following day.
Still only 36, Caldwell has already gained senior managerial experience at Crumlin United, spending over five years at the helm of the Amateur League club and led them to Clarence Cup glory in 2023.
Caldwell also served as assistant to Barry Gray at Newry City last year before taking on his current position at Ballymena, where he’s playing an important role in developing the next generation of players.
Having spent the majority of his playing career in Northern Ireland’s top-flight, winning two Premiership titles with boyhood club Cliftonville before further spells at Glenavon, Glentoran and Larne, Caldwell knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Benefitting from the latest experience, Caldwell admits he’s keen to become a senior manager once again in the future.
“It’s pretty daunting on a Sunday morning when you get that sort of phone call, but then when you sit back, you try and embrace it,” he said. “I feel I have.
"The key thing probably for me is the likes of Sean O'Neill, Patrick McEleney, Stuarty Addis, familiar faces around the place, they make you feel welcome.
"I've played against quite a few of the boys...I've really enjoyed it and it gives me, on a personal level, a taste of maybe where I want to go in my career.
"I think everyone, the football club have ambitions, the players have ambitions, I have ambitions. My ambitions are to go on and manage at the top level, be that here or elsewhere.
"But this opportunity from Ballymena Football Club, I'll be forever grateful. It's a great experience for me to have.”