Recently retired Bohemians defender Derek Pender is wasting little time embarking on his coaching career as he takes charge of the PFAI annual training camp.
The veteran centre-half, whose lengthy League of Ireland career concluded amid much fanfare in Dalymount Park last month, is expected to remain at Bohs in a coaching capacity next season and is dipping his toes with the PFAI role in the off-season.
The training camp, which is entering its 10th year, lays on sessions for out-of-contract players over the winter.
For the first time, the training camp will enjoy the benefit of the facilities at Abbotstown, a development which PFAI chief Stephen McGuinness puts down to improved relations with the current interim regime in the FAI.
The PFAI team will face League One side Rochdale in December and Pender will manage the team, assisted by Pat Flynn and Brendan Clarke.
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Bohemians assistant manager Trevor Croly has previously been involved in this initiative and advised Pender that it would be beneficial to get involved.
"I announced my retirement on Saturday and Stephen (McGuinness) gave me a call," he told RTÉ Sport.
"It was good to get the shout. I didn't think it was going to happen so quickly. I thought I'd have a bit of time.
"There's a couple of managers in the league that have done it. I spoke to Trevor (Croly) about it and he told me it's a good thing to do, it's a good learning curve for me."
In addition to the Rochdale game, the training camp this year offers the carrot of a player-swap initiative organised with the Finnish League.
One player from the camp will be offered the chance to play in Scandinavia next season while a player from the Finnish leagues heads to Ireland.
In extolling the worth of the camp, Pender cites the example of the First Division's top scorer in 2019.
"The camp is great. Last year, Rob Manley was on this camp until the last week of January. He goes and gets First Division player of the year this year.
"It's a great initiative for players. (It tells them) not to worry, as such, there's an avenue here."
