Scott McDonald joins Gold Coast Knights as NPL Queensland manager for 2022 season

Scott McDonald has stepped straight off the A-League pitch and into the coveted coaching position at one of Queensland’s biggest clubs. HIS FIRST INTERVIEW AS A KNIGHT >>

Former Socceroos and Celtic striker Scott McDonald will begin his managerial career with NPL Queensland heavyweights Gold Coast Knights next season.

The club and coach agreed to terms earlier this month, with McDonald set to take over in pre-season for the departing Adem Poric who stepped down in July.

McDonald, 38, steps straight off the A-League pitch and into the coveted state league coaching role via Western Sydney Wanderers, for whom he made seven appearances following a mid-season swap from the Brisbane Roar.

“It was always going to be the progression for me, it was just a matter of when and where,” McDonald told News Corp.

Gold Coast Knights coach Scott McDonald. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“I’ve always had ambitions to get into coaching. I’ve always wanted to be a manager and this is an unbelievable role to take on first-up.

“My son is at the club as well so I have a vested interested in the club and they know that.”

Knights already have a former Socceroo on their books in midfielder Mitch Nichols, who joined the club in 2019.

The Gold Coast club won the NPL Queensland grand final in its maiden 2019 season and was knocked out in the semi-finals last year.

It currently sits second in the state league competition and is preparing for an FFA Cup Round of 32 clash with Cairns fairytale story Edge Hill Hawks next month.

“Some people will say it’s a pretty good gig for my first one, but I like going right into the fire,” McDonald said.

“I’m not overawed by it. I’ve lived off pressure my whole career.”

McDonald will take a back seat for the remainder of the NPL Queensland and FFA Cup campaigns while stand-in manager Max Wragg helms the club’s dual title tilts.

“I’ve played professionally for 20-odd years. I’m 38 now, I’ve matured a hell of a lot in the past three or four years particularly, from retiring the first time to this point now,” he said.

Gold Coast Knights coach Scott McDonald. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“I’ve really enjoyed the later stages of my career in the A-League and being a leader and helping younger players in particular. I found I could add value in that and it’s what I tried to do during my time in the A-League.

“It gave me a real taste and hunger to test myself and answer the question: ‘Do I have what it takes?’ I believe so, but the proof will be in the pudding.”

McDonald confirmed the move into management had put to bed his playing career, with no talk of a player-coach role.

“No, no no. And to be honest it wasn’t even discussed,” he said.

“This club is serious about what it wants to do and it wanted a head coach, not a player slash coach.

“It wanted someone to fully focus on the job at hand and bring success, so hopefully we can all do that.”