Lee Grant takes first step into management with lessons from Man Utd and Kieran McKenna - The Mirror

Lee Grant has learnt plenty from Kieran McKenna during his time as an assistant at Ipswich but is now ready to be the main man at Huddersfield, who kick off their League One campaign against Leyton Orient on Saturday

Lee Grant takes charge of his first competitive game in management tomorrow afternoon but Huddersfield ’s new boss admits the role has already been consuming every waking minute for weeks.

And the former Manchester United goalkeeper is confident he has all the knowledge to succeed because of his apprenticeship under the man he says is Britain’s best young boss.

Grant, whose Terriers host Leyton Orient in their League One opener this afternoon, spent three years as an assistant to Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town.

Having helped navigate the Tractor Boys from the third tier to the promised land, Grant believes that education can only stand him in good stead – even if he is determined to be his own man.

“The way he has been able to build, shape and mould Ipswich and for me having a bird’s eye view in terms of how he went about doing that was hugely influential on me,” Grant says. “I’d like to think some of his work ethic, his process and attention to detail has really rubbed off.

“The real eye-opener for me heading from my playing career, where I was already dipping my toe in at Manchester United with the youth team and in the office with the manager, was once you actually step into the world of Kieran McKenna you quickly realise the dedication, the sacrifices needed to work at that level.

“Perhaps my coaches can tell you better but in terms of the work ethic, demands and sacrifices needed at Huddersfield Town right now is quite significant.”

Grant says he will feel a sense of pride when arriving at the Accu Stadium but come 3pm that will have washed away.

“I’ve really enjoyed it so far, it’s really busy and my phone doesn’t stop," he says. "It tends to be people just pestering me for players, agents and other clubs, and it’s not been easy finding time for anything else. But if I’m honest that’s what I love, throwing myself into every single part of the job.

Grant also saw the methods of Jose Mourinho up close while at Old Trafford. The now Fenerbahce boss recently hit out at coaches who refuse to deviate from their game plan when situations demand flexibility.

And that view chimes with Grant as he tries to develop a team capable of winning games in different ways.

“I believe you need to look at every game and the challenges the opposition are going to put on you, and not be too biased by whether you’ve just won or lost at the weekend,” he says. “Having a squad that’s deep enough to offer different solutions and characteristics is really important.

“It would be the perfect scenario for me if we can win a game and then I make four or five changes and win the next one as well.”

He has no shortage of depth having been backed heavily in the transfer market. Eleven new faces, including goalscorer Alfie May and new captain Ryan Ledson, have come in so far with a loan move for Chelsea youngster Leo Castledine also being lined up.

That sees them installed as second favourites to win the title, behind only Luton, and Grant is happy to embrace high expectations.

“This club has what is required to do it,” he says. “We’ve got to work hard for it, we’re not owed anything, but we’re comfortable with the fact that we’re a good team and we want to be a good team.

“If people want to give us that moniker then wonderful but we certainly have to earn it.” Words that sound awfully like McKenna.

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