Exeter assistant boss Rob Edwards says it is his long-term goal to move into management in his own right.
Exeter assistant manager Rob Edwards admits it is his long-term goal to move into management in his own right.
Edwards is earning a reputation as one of the brightest young coaches around following the success of the Exeter Under 21s side this season.
The 41-year-old has guided unfashionable Exeter to the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup after masterminding impressive victories over the likes of Southampton, Crystal Palace and Blackburn on their way to the last eight.
Edwards has been working as Paul Tisdale's assistant at St James's Park since hanging up his boots in 2011 and, although he admits he is in no rush to become a manager, he is hoping to be given that opportunity to be in sole charge of a club in the future.
Trust
"I think you can be impatient at times wanting to be a manager," Edwards told Sky Sports. "I do want to manage, but I know it is difficult getting a club.
"People need to trust you with their club and it is about gaining that trust or earning a reputation like someone like Ian Holloway who has come out of one job and gone straight back in and that's because he has got a track record.
"I have got to impress somebody that they can trust a club with me.
"It is a long-term goal, I don't know when it will happen, but if it does happen I will have made sure I have worked hard to try and be as prepared as I can."
Edwards is enjoying his current role at Exeter working alongside Tisdale, as well as managing the club's exciting Under 21s side.
"I have been at the club for eight years, played for five years and now working as assistant manager," added Edwards.
"With the Under 21s I am lucky as I have got a good group and we are in the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup having beaten Southampton, Crystal Palace and Blackburn.
"We have got a very good young group, I have taken them for the last two years and a lot of them are getting themselves into the first team.
"I suppose for all smaller clubs that is the dream ticket that you produce your own players and at the moment there are four or five players that came through the academy and we have got a few more to come hopefully.
"It is a slow process getting these young players ready because League football is tough and physical, and it's a challenge to play lots of games, but once they are ready a club like Exeter gives them the chance to play."
Edwards played under the likes of David Moyes and Simon Grayson during his career and he believes he has learned a lot from his former managers that he can take on board for his own future coaching ambitions.
"You pick up the good bits and I was lucky enough to work under David Moyes at Preston and I played for a lot of good managers as well," continued Edwards.
"But it is no secret that, to be successful, you need a real determination and work ethic and obviously Paul Tisdale has done very well at Exeter .
Work ethic
"These guys who do well have a certain work ethic about them and they are always learning and studying the game.
"I think if you think you know it all as a manager you are destined to fail.
"I don't think you can sit on your laurels, it is about continuing to learn and the great thing about football is that it is always changing. Look at Barcelona two or three years ago playing small technical players and now Bayern Munich are playing a different way with a little more pace on the wings.
"The game is always changing and you have always got to be ahead of the game as a coach I think.
"I try and study the game from the top level down to the lower level that I am working at down to the Conference to see how teams play and see how coaches set up their team.
"Definitely the game is about the players and I know from playing myself you play your best football when you are enjoying it and you are with your mates on the pitch and you work hard together."
