Nigel Pearson keen to succeed in Belgium after Leicester City exit
Saturday 7 October 2017 08:46, UK
Nigel Pearson insists that being employed again as a manager by King Power is not the start of a return to Leicester City.
OH Leuven, in Belgium's Second Division, is now Leicester's sister club - the majority owners are the same owners who sacked Pearson two years ago.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News, Pearson says it was time to move on and rebuild bridges.
"It's positive from both perspectives. It's good to be back," he said.
"The way it ended was not great for anybody. But if you spend all your time thinking about the past and what should have been, you get nowhere.
"When we got back in contact and this idea was floated, we did it in a very open way between us. Rather than getting third parties involved, it was just 'yes let's do it', that's all you need to know."
For a manager who pulled off one of the greatest relegation survival stories in Premier League history, a job in Belgium seems a big move down, but Pearson believes in the OHL project - and says he was close to being appointed Middlesbrough manager.
"I'm OK with people having different opinions on it," he added.
"At this stage in my career I wanted to do something that I felt positive about."
"I came close to the Middlesbrough job. I turned down a few offers. But after my last job [Derby County], I reassessed where I was. I needed a job that inspired me."
The way it ended was not great for anybody. But if you spend all your time thinking about the past and what should have been, you get nowhere.
Two days after taking over, Pearson sat in the stands to see his new team draw. Since being in the dugout they've played two, won two. Leuven are now second in the table.
But suggestions success will land him a job back in England annoy him.
"I find that type of question bizarre in the sense that, I've just come here, I'm really pleased to be here, and I want to dedicate quite a bit of time to hopefully make a successful input."
