In another parallel universe, Stephen Elliott might have already been many years into a management career.
While managerial offers did come shortly after he ended his playing career seven years ago, the former Republic of Ireland international was keen to cut his teeth in the underage coaching ranks before making the step up to a top job.
And that apprenticeship may serve the former Manchester City, Wolves and Sunderland striker well given the profile of the squad he is inheriting as he gets set to kickstart a new chapter as Wexford FC manager.
Elliott cut an excited figure as he spoke to RTÉ Sport at this week's League of Ireland launch with Wexford's SSE Airtricity Men's First Division season-opener away at UCD looming on Friday, 14 February.
"I've obviously been coaching a while but this is my first step into the senior management role and it's one that I'm looking forward to," the 41-year-old Dublin said.
"I started off coaching back in 2017 and it was actually in Sunderland (University), believe it or not, and it was always a long-term aim of mine to eventually get into management whenever the time came.
"I wasn't in a rush to do it. I felt it was important that I learned about coaching. Obviously, I had my playing career which is totally different and you do learn a lot during that and I was lucky and privileged enough to play at a decent level.
"But I just felt with the different roles I've been in since I've stopped playing, this potentially was the next step.
"I was in at St Pat's last year and it was great to be in there obviously learning about the League of Ireland again - not that I take my eyes off it, I would have watched very closely from afar - but it was good to be back in amongst it, watching games, seeing the talent both in the First Division, Premier Division and young players in the country.
"The opportunity came up to speak to Wexford and it just felt right."
Just six of the current Wexford first-team squad are aged over 23 with Mikie Rowe the eldest player at 28, while the squad average is a sliver below 22.
Their relative lack of experience isn't fazing Elliott who feels he has the tools to mould young players given his past experiences as Head of Academy at St Pat's, Darlington and youth coaching roles at Fleetwood Town.
"You get that kind of naivety with young players and they probably do listen that little bit more than the senior players," he said.
"But all my roles so far have been in the academy level and I feel I've got a lot of expertise in working with young players and it's something I feel can be a strength of mine this season."
Elliott accepts that things may take time to gel on the pitch at Ferrycarrig Park considering the bulk of the players are new to the club but he is taking a longer-term view at a club he already feels as "homely" and ambitious, considering that a new stadium closer to Wexford town is an aspiration for the near future - as well as the fact that previous teams have reached the promotion play-offs and an FAI Cup semi-final in recent seasons.
And if he needs any inspiration, he added that he only need look up the N11 and beyond to his former Ireland team-mate Damien Duff who has worked wonders in bringing silverware back to Shelbourne.
"Last season, I think everybody saw what Damien Duff did last year, again one of our greatest ever players and it was great to see that happening at Shelbourne and I think somebody like that inspires everybody to go out there," he said.
"Everybody has their own way of doing things and I'm no different. I have my own way of how I want my team to play and what I feel I can bring to the team and I'm hoping (fans) will see an identification in the team that will rub off from me."
Former Ireland internationals who have either come back to play or manage in the League has a long history stretching back into the distant past but Elliott feels there is scope for more figures from his and Duff's generation to make their way home and contribute to the domestic game in some capacity.
"I think there's definitely a place for it. If there's former internationals out there, listen there are a lot of lads with a lot of knowledge out there and if they're willing to put in the time and learn about the other side of the game, then by all means get them in and get them involved in and around Irish football," said Elliott.
"There's a lot of quality coaches around the league and if we can add some former internationals, former players that have played at a really high level and get that mix right, then I think the future of Irish football can improve."
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