Former Middlesbrough stalwart Jonny Howson believes the attitude of Leeds United’s youngsters has aided his career transition.
Instead of bouncing back into senior football, the midfielder returned to boyhood club Leeds to take on a player-coach role in their under-21s set-up.
He has since made 16 appearances across Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup and the National League Cup.
Jonny Howson left Middlesbrough last summer after eight years at the Riverside.placeholder image
Jonny Howson left Middlesbrough last summer after eight years at the Riverside. | George Wood/Getty Images
Jonny Howson on career transition
He said: “I understand when I am on the pitch, playing with them and understanding the game – whether the different situations impact it and how they deal with it.
“Technically, are they showing for the ball? Have they got that hunger wanting to make an impact on the game? Things like that. So, I think when you are actually playing and you are involved, you see stuff that you don’t see from the sidelines. I will see maybe subtle things of whether that is people talking to me, whether that is information I am giving on the pitch and them taking it onboard.
“You see it because you are in the thick of the action. How quickly can people react to certain situations, maybe from what I have told them? The lads have been brilliant. I must say, irrespective of different levels of ability, it is great to work with them because their attitude and application has made my transition of stopping playing first-team football so much easier.”
New chapter back at Leeds United
Howson was renowned for his leadership skills in senior football, even when he was a young prospect cutting his teeth at Leeds.
His exploits with the Whites propelled him into the Premier League with Norwich City, who he represented for five-and-a-half years before joining Middlesbrough.
For those who saw a lot of Howson in action, it is not particularly surprising that he is going down the coaching route.
Jonny Howson cut his teeth at Leeds United.placeholder image
Jonny Howson cut his teeth at Leeds United. | Simon Hulme
He said: “It is obviously great to be alongside Scott [Gardner, Under-21s head coach] and Puj (Michal Pujdak, Under-21s coach), get their take on what they are looking at during the games going on, what they are maybe looking out for and letting me give my thoughts.
“I am older in footballing terms with regards to playing. I am fine with that. I can’t do anything about that. But we are playing Under-21s football so whether you are 16 or 37 in my case, you have got to be able to cope with the demands because football is a harsh environment.
“To make the next step forward, it is cutthroat irrespective of the level whether you are going into the National League or the Premier League. You won’t be judged on whether you are 16 or whether you are 37. You will be judged on if you can do the job. Either you can or you can’t. It sounds really harsh but we are in a harsh environment.”