Gavin Gunning realised that he was not ready for a full-time managerial role during his time in interim charge at Swindon Town last season.

The former Dundee United defender took 18 games of last season in between the departure of Michael Flynn and the appointment of Mark Kennedy and had said he would hope to get the role permanently at the end of the season, but eventually stayed on as First-Team Pathways Coach.

Gunning has had several stints in interim charge between various managerial change at Town, but got a protracted opportunity last year when he was given from January until the end of the season.

Town were on a downward trajectory under Flynn when he came in and he was unable to stop the freefall as he only won five of his 18 matches as the club finished 19th in the fourth tier, their worst finish since the introduction of a fourth division in the 1950s.

Gunning was back in the dugout on Saturday, taking interim charge of one game before Ian Holloway took over and said that he realised during last season that he was not yet fully prepared to take the hot seat.

When asked why the club have struggled to achieve longevity from managers, he said: “I don’t know. I think Scott [Lindsey] did well but then moved on as it was closer to home and suited him.

“We were sixth or seventh in the league and then since then I don’t think we have found the right remedy, to be honest, it is just that simple.

“I took the role last year to help the club out, I blooded some young kids, and got some good experience for myself.

“But it made me realise that I wasn’t quite ready, which is obviously hard for you to realise, but it is a good thing as I am only 33.

“I am really looking forward to learning from Ian, it is going to be massive for my own development as well as for the club.”

Gunning didn’t remember having a previous interaction with Holloway but in the brief time they have had since his appointment, he expects to get a real education on being a coach.

He said: “He is infectious and although he is a small physical presence, he is massive in terms of his heart and his character and what he represents as a person is really big.

“He has got a massive heart and knowledge of the game, and I think that to have a coup of bringing someone in with such a wealth of experience and knowledge as Ian Holloway is really fantastic.

“I think that the young guys here are going to learn an awful lot from him and myself too, I am hoping that I am going to be really fortunate to learn from him.

“Having spent a bit of time with him, he is a real Jack in the Box and I think it will be an exciting time.”