For a man who eats, sleeps and breathes football, being out of the game for even a short while was torture.
So when Maurice Malpas out of work since the summer – was offered the role of director of football at Raith Rovers last month, it was a no brainer.
The 52-year-old is delighted to be back involved in Scottish football in any capacity after he was sacked along with Terry Butcher at Hibs, and is already immersed in the day-to-day activities in and around Stark’s Park.
The former Dundee United defender has refused to rule out a return to management in his own right, but Malpas stressed he is fully committed to his current cause helping Raith manager Grant Murray and his players get the Kirkcaldy club back to the big time.
“I’d like to go to Barcelona, but I’m not sure that’s on the cards!” he joked.
“Football is a strange business.
“You think everything is rosy, then you end up out a job.
“Or you think you are struggling, then you get a couple of wins and you are the toast of the town again.
“My focus right now is just on helping Grant.
“If something comes along that excites me then I’ll think about it and have a conversation.
“This opportunity came out of the blue, something else can come out of the blue.
“But I want to get my teeth into this and see where we can take it.
“I’ve basically got a blank bit of paper from the directors.
“It is different for me.
“I’ve been used to being on the training ground every day, but I’m concentrating on other things more now.
“I want to help Grant as much as possible away from the training ground, he has umpteen things to do – far too much – and I can tick a few boxes.”
Whether it is Malpas’ influence or not, Rovers have won their last two Championship fixtures since his arrival and he hopes that progress can continue on and off the field with his input.
The opportunity for a third straight victory, this time over Queen of the South, was denied by the weather on Saturday as a waterlogged Stark’s Park pitch caused the postponement of the weekend’s game.
But the Rovers players and staff will be back in training this morning, already looking forward to this coming weekend’s game at home to Dumbarton.
Malpas reveal his role as director of football involves a “bit of everything”, and he reckons the fact he’s been given a “blank canvas” to work with by the directors at Stark’s Park is refreshing.
He continued: “I’m here to help the directors, help the club and help the players.
“I’m here for any assistance the manager might need as well, and I’ve already had a few chats and offered a few opinions.
“Hopefully I can use my experience, pass a few things on and encourage people to improve.
“Grant has left himself with a hell of a lot to do in this job and if I can help him in any way then it’s something I’m keen to do.
“I think Grant was looking for something different.
“I am a different voice and a different era from a Grant.
“I’ve been brought up in a certain way and I coach in a certain manner, while he might have different thoughts, and I think that is healthy.
“He was looking for someone who could help him at games, help him with training, scouting, agents.
“Between us, we can get those boxes ticked, rather that it all being on Grant’s shoulders.
“But the bottom line is Grant’s the manager he’s the man being paid millions of pounds – and he will make the decisions.”
Rovers have been looking to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window, so Malpas’ contacts book has already been getting an airing.
“That is part of the remit,” he concluded.
“Grant doesn’t have the time to go chasing for players or chasing agents – yet he does it.
“So I’ll be looking to give him a wee bit of help with that.
“Through my contacts, his contacts and Laurie’s (Ellis) contacts we might spread the net a wee bit further.”