Bonnyloyal
Well-Known Member
Three years after walking out as a player for the final time, he returned to Ibrox as the club’s assistant manager in the summer of 2015.
But following the acrimonious split in February last year, Weir hasn’t been back.
Even now, more than 18 months later, the Gers legend can’t say with any certainty he ever will be.
That’s not because he’s still bitter about the way it all ended for him at Mark Warburton, that’s just how it is. Weir, it seems, has finally moved on.
He revealed: “I have not been back since I left.
“I don’t know if I will go back, you can never say never, but I hope to go back at some point in the future. There are still so many good people at the football club.
“It’s a great club and it’s great to see them back in Europe. I don’t regret anything other than the way it ended.
“I went in there with my eyes open and I will still argue with anyone that we did a good job.
“We didn’t always get it right, it wasn’t always perfect, but it’s part of Rangers’ history that we took the club back to the Premiership.
“There were so many problems when we came in. I remember where we were when we got the job.
“We had very few players, we had finished third in the Championship.
“I watched the play-off game against Motherwell, I was there and there was a lot going on.
“It was disarray if truth be told. Real anger and real unhappiness. Players were kicking off and there was a lot of baggage and bad news.
“It was a big job just to steady that and turn it around. Mark has to take a lot of credit for that.
“He created a brilliant working environment, established a winning mentality and instilled discipline back into the club.
“I think we both carried ourselves with dignity — that’s how I have always been. Actions speak louder than words.”
Yet there have been some harsh words written about Weir on the Gers messageboards.
Following his exit, some fans claimed he’d somehow tarnished his iconic Ibrox image. Surely now they would agree they were being churlish.
Weir made 231 appearances for Rangers, scoring five goals and winning three league titles, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups.
He was also inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
The fact he continued to play into his 40s was further testament to his professionalism.
The manner of his departure for the final time will always be a nagging source of regret — but it’s something Weir cannot change.
He said: “It still hurts, it’s still raw. I think it probably always will be.
“That was the club I supported and then had the privilege to play for.
“I managed to build up a decent reputation and had good memories of my time there.
“But it has been tarnished by the nature of the way it was handled at the end. That’s life, I can’t change it.
“People are entitled to their opinion of me, but I know the truth because I was there.
“The issue in all of this was the claim, or accusation, that I had resigned. Show me the piece of paper which has my resignation on it.
“I have never spoken ill of the club and I never will. But recently, that’s how the club have chosen to play it.
“It’s not just me. Look at the situation with Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace. David Bates and Danny Wilson,
“That seems to be the norm now. It’s not how I would handle it. I can’t change what some fans may think of me now, that’s a fight I am never going to win.
“But every Rangers fan I have met since leaving has been nothing but complimentary towards me. I’m sure some people do think I have tarnished my own reputation, but, like I say, that’s entirely up to them.
“The communication I have had with fans has been positive and that’s all that matters to me.
“I am a Rangers fan and I want the club to do well, which is why I will never speak ill of the club.
“It’s not my style anyway, it benefits no one.”
Weir is enjoying a new lease of life in his role as pathway development manager at Brighton.
It’s still coaching to an extent, just not with a bag of balls and cones.
With so much to offer, it would be a crying shame if this Scotland legend was never to return to the dugout.
The man himself would never say never, but for now insists he’s totally focused on his job with the Seagulls.
Weir said: “I wouldn’t say coaching is gone for me. When I got the job with Brighton, and they approached me, they were conscious of that.
“When I looked at what Brighton were proposing I really fancied it. Their concern was that I would up and leave as soon as an offer of management came in.
“I think they thought I would jump at it. But I said no, I said I would do this and do it properly.
“It’s a new role, it’s a new role for them. I have been offered a couple of things, which genuinely have been good, but I am not thinking like that.
“I am really enjoying what I am doing at the moment. I like the club, I like the culture at Brighton and I like the people I am working with. I think that is so important.
“The last few years have been a bit whirlwind, but I’m still coaching and I’m still involved in the game.
“I suppose I am happy at the moment, so why change that?
“You can never say never, but going back into management, even on my own, isn’t on my radar at the moment.
“When I am doing a job, I focus on that. That’s what I was like when I was playing and I won’t change now.”
Since Weir and Warburton left 19 months ago, Pedro Caixinha and Graeme Murty — twice — have sat in the Ibrox hotseat.
Steven Gerrard is now in the chair and Weir is impressed with the progress he’s made in such a relatively short space of time.
Weir added: “Getting back into Europe was a non-negotiable for them.
“What a great job they did through the qualifiers.
“You have Villarreal, Moscow and Vienna to look forward to.
“It’s all about rebuilding the Rangers brand and putting the club back on the European map.
“That is so important. European football is fundamental to Rangers. As is the league championship.
“I was surprised when I heard he’d got the job.
“It’s a risk for him going up to Scotland and into an alien environment. It was a risk for Rangers too appointing a so-called ‘rookie’ manager. But when you factor in Mark Allen and his contacts down here, and when you actually sit back and look at it, it made perfect sense.
“He’s managed to hit the ground running in terms of getting back into Europe, so things are looking up and I am delighted about that.
“I played against Stevie in many a Merseyside derby. He was driven as a player and seems driven as manager.
“He’s a massive figurehead in the country. Steven has conducted himself really well since coming in, he’s been hugely impressive.
“That’s a big part of it but so too is winning. And that, ultimately, is how he’ll be judged.
“I want him to be a success.”
HE became the first pathway development manager for Chris Hughton’s Brighton when he made his return to football in the summer.
After leaving Nottingham Forest back in December, David Weir was on the look-out for a new, diverse challenge.
In July, the Seagulls offered him one and the former Scotland international hasn’t looked back.
Weir explained: “Essentially, it’s life coaching. I visit the players on loan from the club and try and establish a relationship with them.
“Basically, I’m there to help them. I make sure that off the field everything is okay. Their flat, their accommodation, their car — their general well-being.
“I make sure everything is there for them to give them the best chance to succeed where it matters, on the park.
“It’s different, but I’m really enjoying it because it is like coaching. I enjoy working with the young boys.
“They want help and they do listen.”
Weir combines his work with a Masters degree at university.
He revealed: “I’m doing a masters in Sporting Directorship. It’s not necessarily with a view to becoming a sporting director, it’s just something I always had at the back of my mind but perhaps never had the time before.
“I’ve always tried to stay involved with my own education. It’s been really good, really interesting.
“I’m there a couple of days each month — we’re at Manchester Metropolitan.
“It can be full on sometimes, it’s demanding and it’s hard work.
“We do talks too and I don’t mind that any more. It used to terrify me when I was younger but not any more.
“It’s a two-year course and we are halfway through. I’m really enjoying it.
“I always encourage my kids when it comes to education, so it helps if I set the right example.”
AFTER two failed attempts, David Weir finally joined Rangers on January 16, 2007. Penning an initial six-month contract, the 36-year-old could never have envisaged what lay in store.
Remarkably, he would walk out of Ibrox as a Gers player for the last time on January 21, 2012. Five years and three SPL titles later.
But his time in Scotland meant time apart from his children, Lucas, Jensen, Kenzie and Ruben.
Weir said: “I’ve travelled, I’ve done ten years away from home, so yeah, perhaps I am conscious of trying to be there for my kids now. I am still travelling, but I feel more settled here because I’m back based in the family home.
“Two of my boys are into football. Jensen made his debut for Wigan last year at only 15. He came off the bench and did well.
“But he’s not a first-team player, he’s nowhere near that yet. It’s full-time, he got a two-year scholarship with Wigan, but I keep telling him he’s not a full-time footballer yet.
“My older boy is hoping to go to America and play while my daughter plays for Everton. My youngest doesn’t bother.
“I try and help them all, but only as their dad. The lads who I am working with at Brighton I treat as my own, too. I give them the same advice I give my own kids. Do the right thing for the long-term benefits.
But following the acrimonious split in February last year, Weir hasn’t been back.
Even now, more than 18 months later, the Gers legend can’t say with any certainty he ever will be.
That’s not because he’s still bitter about the way it all ended for him at Mark Warburton, that’s just how it is. Weir, it seems, has finally moved on.
He revealed: “I have not been back since I left.
“I don’t know if I will go back, you can never say never, but I hope to go back at some point in the future. There are still so many good people at the football club.
“It’s a great club and it’s great to see them back in Europe. I don’t regret anything other than the way it ended.
“I went in there with my eyes open and I will still argue with anyone that we did a good job.
“We didn’t always get it right, it wasn’t always perfect, but it’s part of Rangers’ history that we took the club back to the Premiership.
“There were so many problems when we came in. I remember where we were when we got the job.
“We had very few players, we had finished third in the Championship.
“I watched the play-off game against Motherwell, I was there and there was a lot going on.
“It was disarray if truth be told. Real anger and real unhappiness. Players were kicking off and there was a lot of baggage and bad news.
“It was a big job just to steady that and turn it around. Mark has to take a lot of credit for that.
“He created a brilliant working environment, established a winning mentality and instilled discipline back into the club.
“I think we both carried ourselves with dignity — that’s how I have always been. Actions speak louder than words.”
Yet there have been some harsh words written about Weir on the Gers messageboards.
Following his exit, some fans claimed he’d somehow tarnished his iconic Ibrox image. Surely now they would agree they were being churlish.
Weir made 231 appearances for Rangers, scoring five goals and winning three league titles, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups.
He was also inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
The fact he continued to play into his 40s was further testament to his professionalism.
The manner of his departure for the final time will always be a nagging source of regret — but it’s something Weir cannot change.
He said: “It still hurts, it’s still raw. I think it probably always will be.
“That was the club I supported and then had the privilege to play for.
“I managed to build up a decent reputation and had good memories of my time there.
“But it has been tarnished by the nature of the way it was handled at the end. That’s life, I can’t change it.
“People are entitled to their opinion of me, but I know the truth because I was there.
“The issue in all of this was the claim, or accusation, that I had resigned. Show me the piece of paper which has my resignation on it.
“I have never spoken ill of the club and I never will. But recently, that’s how the club have chosen to play it.
“It’s not just me. Look at the situation with Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace. David Bates and Danny Wilson,
“That seems to be the norm now. It’s not how I would handle it. I can’t change what some fans may think of me now, that’s a fight I am never going to win.
“But every Rangers fan I have met since leaving has been nothing but complimentary towards me. I’m sure some people do think I have tarnished my own reputation, but, like I say, that’s entirely up to them.
“The communication I have had with fans has been positive and that’s all that matters to me.
“I am a Rangers fan and I want the club to do well, which is why I will never speak ill of the club.
“It’s not my style anyway, it benefits no one.”
Weir is enjoying a new lease of life in his role as pathway development manager at Brighton.
It’s still coaching to an extent, just not with a bag of balls and cones.
With so much to offer, it would be a crying shame if this Scotland legend was never to return to the dugout.
The man himself would never say never, but for now insists he’s totally focused on his job with the Seagulls.
Weir said: “I wouldn’t say coaching is gone for me. When I got the job with Brighton, and they approached me, they were conscious of that.
“When I looked at what Brighton were proposing I really fancied it. Their concern was that I would up and leave as soon as an offer of management came in.
“I think they thought I would jump at it. But I said no, I said I would do this and do it properly.
“It’s a new role, it’s a new role for them. I have been offered a couple of things, which genuinely have been good, but I am not thinking like that.
“I am really enjoying what I am doing at the moment. I like the club, I like the culture at Brighton and I like the people I am working with. I think that is so important.
“The last few years have been a bit whirlwind, but I’m still coaching and I’m still involved in the game.
“I suppose I am happy at the moment, so why change that?
“You can never say never, but going back into management, even on my own, isn’t on my radar at the moment.
“When I am doing a job, I focus on that. That’s what I was like when I was playing and I won’t change now.”
Since Weir and Warburton left 19 months ago, Pedro Caixinha and Graeme Murty — twice — have sat in the Ibrox hotseat.
Steven Gerrard is now in the chair and Weir is impressed with the progress he’s made in such a relatively short space of time.
Weir added: “Getting back into Europe was a non-negotiable for them.
“What a great job they did through the qualifiers.
“You have Villarreal, Moscow and Vienna to look forward to.
“It’s all about rebuilding the Rangers brand and putting the club back on the European map.
“That is so important. European football is fundamental to Rangers. As is the league championship.
“I was surprised when I heard he’d got the job.
“It’s a risk for him going up to Scotland and into an alien environment. It was a risk for Rangers too appointing a so-called ‘rookie’ manager. But when you factor in Mark Allen and his contacts down here, and when you actually sit back and look at it, it made perfect sense.
“He’s managed to hit the ground running in terms of getting back into Europe, so things are looking up and I am delighted about that.
“I played against Stevie in many a Merseyside derby. He was driven as a player and seems driven as manager.
“He’s a massive figurehead in the country. Steven has conducted himself really well since coming in, he’s been hugely impressive.
“That’s a big part of it but so too is winning. And that, ultimately, is how he’ll be judged.
“I want him to be a success.”
HE became the first pathway development manager for Chris Hughton’s Brighton when he made his return to football in the summer.
After leaving Nottingham Forest back in December, David Weir was on the look-out for a new, diverse challenge.
In July, the Seagulls offered him one and the former Scotland international hasn’t looked back.
Weir explained: “Essentially, it’s life coaching. I visit the players on loan from the club and try and establish a relationship with them.
“Basically, I’m there to help them. I make sure that off the field everything is okay. Their flat, their accommodation, their car — their general well-being.
“I make sure everything is there for them to give them the best chance to succeed where it matters, on the park.
“It’s different, but I’m really enjoying it because it is like coaching. I enjoy working with the young boys.
“They want help and they do listen.”
Weir combines his work with a Masters degree at university.
He revealed: “I’m doing a masters in Sporting Directorship. It’s not necessarily with a view to becoming a sporting director, it’s just something I always had at the back of my mind but perhaps never had the time before.
“I’ve always tried to stay involved with my own education. It’s been really good, really interesting.
“I’m there a couple of days each month — we’re at Manchester Metropolitan.
“It can be full on sometimes, it’s demanding and it’s hard work.
“We do talks too and I don’t mind that any more. It used to terrify me when I was younger but not any more.
“It’s a two-year course and we are halfway through. I’m really enjoying it.
“I always encourage my kids when it comes to education, so it helps if I set the right example.”
AFTER two failed attempts, David Weir finally joined Rangers on January 16, 2007. Penning an initial six-month contract, the 36-year-old could never have envisaged what lay in store.
Remarkably, he would walk out of Ibrox as a Gers player for the last time on January 21, 2012. Five years and three SPL titles later.
But his time in Scotland meant time apart from his children, Lucas, Jensen, Kenzie and Ruben.
Weir said: “I’ve travelled, I’ve done ten years away from home, so yeah, perhaps I am conscious of trying to be there for my kids now. I am still travelling, but I feel more settled here because I’m back based in the family home.
“Two of my boys are into football. Jensen made his debut for Wigan last year at only 15. He came off the bench and did well.
“But he’s not a first-team player, he’s nowhere near that yet. It’s full-time, he got a two-year scholarship with Wigan, but I keep telling him he’s not a full-time footballer yet.
“My older boy is hoping to go to America and play while my daughter plays for Everton. My youngest doesn’t bother.
“I try and help them all, but only as their dad. The lads who I am working with at Brighton I treat as my own, too. I give them the same advice I give my own kids. Do the right thing for the long-term benefits.
