Return Of The Mac

Monday, July 4th 2016

Bristol City have appointed Jamie McAllister as the club’s new Under-21 coach.

The Scotsman takes up his new position immediately, after calling time on his playing career at the age of 38.

Former City left-back McAllister already has his UEFA A Licence and spent time as player-coach for Kerala Blasters in India with David James in 2014.

Most recently he has worked in the club’s Academy with the under-16s, but now moves up to work with the development squad.

Head coach Lee Johnson told Bristol City Player HD: “I think it’s a really important role. He’s already been working within the Academy and brings us decent experience. He’s local and has just finished playing.

“He’s aggressive when he needs to be; we all remember the way he played, but he’s also sensible. He can talk to people in the right way, whether that is a board member or the parents of a 16-year-old.

“He’s got a good strength of character, being all things to all men. It’s a difficult group to coach; they’re all desperate to get into the first team – if they’re good enough, we’ll play them.

“He’s a manager in waiting and I think that’s the type of person you need in that role.”

McAllister told Bristol City Player HD: “I’ve been speaking to (chief operating officer) Mark Ashton and the gaffer for the last two weeks about the opportunities here and it’s all been completed in the last two days.

“I wanted to keep playing until the age of 40 but as soon as this job came on to the horizon it was just too good to turn down.

“I’ve already worked within the Academy with the younger group and now I’m excited to be moving up to the Under-21s, which is a very important stage.

“You can see the ambition of the club, from the owner and the gaffer, with the stadium nearing completion. I played a charity game at Ashton Gate the other day and it was like a completely different stadium!

“I just can’t wait to get my teeth into the role now.”

McAllister joined City in 2006, having previously played exclusively in Scotland with Queen of the South, Aberdeen, Livingston and Hearts.

The tough-tackling defender became a key component in City’s 2006/07 promotion-winning campaign, and was also part of the team that reached the Championship play-off final a season later.

He left City in 2012 having made 210 appearances for the club, scoring four times.