Following spells coaching in boys football and the men's amateur game, he accepted an offer from Monklands Ladies to become Manager and guided them in his first season to the 1997/98 Scottish 1st Division West title, with a 100% win record, and into the Scottish Women's Premier League for the first time. After a single year in charge in the Premier League, where he consolidated their position, he left after an approach from Glasgow City, who themselves had just been promoted to the Premier League, stating he felt Monklands Ladies were unable to match his ambitions.