Claudio Yacob has the qualities required to be a coach or manager in the future, says Martin O’Neill.
But the Nottingham Forest boss says the Argentine still has a part to play in his midfield, between now and the end of the season.
O’Neill feels he has a good relationship with the former West Brom man, who was restored to the squad on the bench, for the 2-1 win over Swansea last weekend.
And, from the course of his regular chats with the 31-year-old, as well as learning a little Spanish, O’Neill says he believes he can see a future coach in the making.
“I have great admiration for Claudio as a footballer and as a person. I have had endless chats with him and I want him to be a coach one day,” said O’Neill.
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“He is teaching me a little bit of Spanish and I have taught him some very bad English… he is a good character and he is good around the place.
“I had not involved him in recent weeks, but his training continues to be terrific. He has been disappointed not to be in the squad, which is a natural feeling and one he feels deeply.
“He may well be involved on Saturdays with us, because his attitude and determination are excellent. All the things he shows on the training ground are why he has made it as a footballer.”
O’Neill believes that character would transfer well into a coaching role in the future for Yacob.
But he says it is up to the former West Brom man whether that is a path he wishes to follow when he hangs up his boots.
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“Who knows for certain who can manage these days? All the people I thought might have been good turned out to be useless and vice-versa,” joked O’Neill, who gave Yacob the captain's armband early in his tenure.
“But he thinks a lot about the game and he is a very, very good communicator. He has a lot of good attributes.
“He might have a better life for himself and if he has a better life, go and do that. But if it is something he wants to pursue…”
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Yacob has made ten Championship starts and three sub appearances for the Reds since joining as a free agent in September, following the end of his contract with West Brom.
He was a hugely popular figure with West Brom fans, having played for them for six years, while racking up 160 Premier League appearances.
