NEIL McDonald has come a long way in a very short time.

Three years ago he was running Preston's Youth team; these days, as the youngest first team coach in the Premiership, he is charged with the task of bringing the best out of Youri Djorkaeff and Jay-Jay Okocha!

As the joke goes, it's a tough job but somebody's got to do it!

The fact that McDonald does his job well has brought him an invitation to add the UEFA Pro-Licence to his already impressive coaching qualifications - UEFA 'C', 'B' and 'A' badges in addition to being a fully-qualified referee.

Successful in his latest year-long studies, he will take his place among the illustrious, hand-picked ranks of respected professionals who hold the highest coaching qualification in world football - completing a double for Wanderers, who expect assistant manager Phil Brown to receive his licence this summer.

"It's been one big step after another since I came here three years ago," says the 37-year-old former England U-21 international, who played First Division football for Newcastle, Everton and Oldham before a brief spell at Burnden, where he helped Wanderers win their first Premiership promotion.

He ended his playing career helping North End win the Third Division Championship before turning his attention to coaching.

"In three years I've gone from coaching the kids at Preston to working with the likes of Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha and Stig Tofting, who have all played in the World Cup and in Youri's case actually won the World Cup.

"It's been great experience for me in how to man-manage players like them as well as youngsters like Danny Livesey."

A graduate of the famous Wallsend Boys Club in the North-east, McDonald played with an array of internationals stars - Kevin Keegan, Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne and Peter Beardsley in his early days at St James' Park - and believes his experience as a top flight player has given him the confidence and the respect needed to coach at the highest level.

"I suppose I was fortunate that I was young when I started (coaching)," he said. "I did four years with the kids at Preston before I came to Bolton.

"I'm the youngest first team coach in the Premiership and I hope I'm going to be the youngest to get the Pro-Licence.

"I've learned a lot from seeing Phil doing his. He sees things more clearly, with a sharper outlook. I've seen him improve and now I'm looking forward to doing the course, which is the next progression for me."

But no managers are under threat from McDonald, who is content to wear tracksuit and leave the pressures of sitting in football's hottest seat to others - at least for the time being.

"At the moment, I'm looking only at coaching," he insists. "I prefer to be on the field, trying to get the best out of players.

"I can see how Sam deals with the media and all the pressures of man-management but that comes with time."