Aiden McGeady says while working with Sky Sports as an analyst for games last season, he felt like a "watered-down version" of himself. As someone still involved in the game, he kept the handbrake up on his opinions.
The former Ireland international departed Hibs during the summer and joined Scottish Championship side Ayr United in a dual role. He is both a player and the technical manager.
"The wee bits I've done have really got me where I go, 'Actually, I love this. I've got no other interest in football apart from just commentating on it'. There probably would be an opportunity to do that," McGeady told the Open Goal podcast.
"If you want to become a coach, a sporting director or a manager - one of those roles - you have to stop yourself being in the media as well because you'll make enemies quite quickly [being in the media] which I probably found out.
"If you're really forthright on your opinions and you're not impartial, you're going to annoy a sporting director, or a chief executive or an owner and that path might be closed for you unless you sit on the fence.
14 November 2017; Aiden McGeady of Republic of Ireland in action against Yussuf Poulsen of Denmark during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-off 2nd leg match between Republic of Ireland and Denmark at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
"I wouldn't really want to do that. I found myself doing it last season. I said to Martin Keegan at Sky, when I did the Sky Sports games, I was like 'I don't feel like I can be myself because I'm still playing for Hibs. I want to say what I want to say but I can't'. In a way, I'm a watered-down version of myself so I'd just do it when I've got less people to annoy and I can be less diplomatic."
Aiden McGeady: It would be 'selfish' to not pass on experience
The 37-year-old, who won 93 caps for Ireland, said it would be "selfish" to not pass on his experience to younger players.
"Media is for... Kris Boyd, for example, he's chosen to go down that path," said McGeady.
"He must really enjoy it. He enjoys that maybe more than coaching or being involved in another way. For my own personal opinion, I would prefer another role in football.
"Younger players, you can change their lives and help them be better. Why would I not want to pass on all the experience I've got? It would be a bit selfish if I didn't do that."
9 October 2017; Players, from left to right, Wes Hoolahan, Richard Keogh, Harry Arter, and Aiden McGeady of Republic of Ireland prior to the FIFA World Cup Qualifier Group D match between Wales and Republic of Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
McGeady also explained how his role with Ayr works. He has played six times this season for Ayr, who are second from bottom of the 10-team Scottish Championship.
"You don't want to step on toes with the manager and the coach and the assistant. Sometimes you feel you can overstep your mark a wee bit when I'm still a player," he said.
"I come in as a player in the morning just at a normal time for 9:15am and then I'll train. After training that day there might be a meeting, there might be a board meeting, there might be some things to go through with the younger players, there might be me making phone calls to loan managers to speak about certain things.
"As it gets closer to the game, I've got my player's head on. On a Friday, you come in, train and get away sharp. Every day is different."
See Also: John Giles Goes Against Grain With Thoughts On Stephen Kenny Future
