After eight years of international management with Estonia, former Charlton Athletic boss Keith Boanas is returning home with the aim of re-establishing himself in the English club game.
The 57-year-old Uefa Pro licence holder, who led Charlton to FA Cup and League Cup triumphs during his seven years at the helm of the London club, boasts an impressive cv covering over 25 years in coaching and coach education.
He might have become a Women’s Super League manager in 2012 but turned down the chance of taking over at Lincoln (since re-franchised as Notts County) and a little disillusionment remains with him as he looks for a new opening.
“When I turned down the Lincoln role,” he revealed, “it was a two fold thing – I was not happy with the way that meetings with the club went and at the same time I knew inside I still had work to do in Estonia
“The downside of that situation is that it seems to have affected me negatively at home. For example I applied recently for a specialist role with England women and reached the short list, but I was not successful.
“Missing out on roles for my own country triggered my move to Estonia and, after eight years of national team management and development work across the whole of the women’s game over there, I feel fully qualified internationally.
“Most recently I interviewed for a WSL club and after positive conversations and well-received coaching demonstrations, I felt sure that I would be able to step in there and build a good programme – but again, it came to nothing.”
Despite those setbacks Boanas, who is married to former England goalkeeper Pauline Cope, is backing himself to once more be a successful club manager. “I am not saying I’m the absolute best,” he said, “but I can go toe to toe with anyone.
“I took a massive challenge and went out of my comfort zone to take on the role in Estonia. It became a passion to improve the game over there, which I believe I’ve done, but I’ve also gained knowledge that I want to utilise back in England.”
