STEPHEN McMANUS has been spending the early part of his summer making plans for the future by starting his studies for his coaching badges.

STEPHEN McMANUS has been spending the early part of his summer making plans for the future by starting his studies for his coaching badges.

The Middlesbrough defender has no immediate designs on retirement, but he is also thinking about life after playing and has been working with the Scottish Football Association through the first stages of his A-licence.

It has been a difficult year for the Scotland defender, who has had to overcome ankle ligament damage before returning to action under Tony Mowbray for the final eight games. It meant he had time to do a lot of thinking about the future.

“I've still got plenty of years left as a player but coaching is something I have always thought about doing when I finish,” he said. “Taking the course is the first step for me and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been able to put the summer to good use and enjoyed a family holiday in Dubai as well.”

McManus might have been one of Gordon Strachan’s key signings last January, but he thinks that in the last six months of last season there was enormous progress made under Mowbray.

The centre-back was not about to go and predict a promotion push, but he has sensed an enormous improvement in team spirit within the ranks at the Riverside Stadium.

“I was really pleased with how it went,” said McManus, referring to the end of season that lifted Middlesbrough up to mid-table after surviving relegation worries.

“The spirit in the dressing-room was fantastic and in the end we weren't far off the play-offs. It was a topsy-turvy season but at least we finished strongly and now it's a matter of picking up from where we left off.

“The young kids who came in had a real impact and all credit too them. Lads like Adam Reach (who scored on his debut in the last match against Doncaster) have got a real chance. We are really lucky at Boro to have such a good bunch of lads. I'm certainly looking forward to getting back into it.”

* Boro fans can relive memories by snapping up the final copies of a limited-edition miniature of the club’s former Ayresome Park home.

Britannia Miniatures originally produced 1,000 of the beautifully-detailed models of Ayresome Park - but now fewer than 30 remain at MFC Retail.

They are on sale for £39.99 each from the MFC Retail stores at the Riverside and in Captain Cook Square in Middlesbrough town centre.