STATESIDE San Jose to Oakley is unlikely to be considered a conventional route into football management.

They may be a world apart in terms of distance, size and weather but new Oakley United boss Craig Cowan insists that taking on the Blairwood Park job will be no different from coaching enthusiastic kids in the USA in football terms.

The 44-year-old was approached by the East Region Premier League club’s committee within 24 hours of James Watt resigning from his post after a 2-0 loss to Thornton Hibs on April 23, with Oakley entrenched in the relegation mire.

Cowan’s first game in charge saw 10-man Oakley fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Kennoway Star Hearts, while on Saturday they produced another spirited showing to hold leaders Dundonald Bluebell to a scoreless draw.

With four games to go, their battle to beat the drop continues this weekend at Arniston Rangers but, speaking to Press Sport, Cowan says he has big ambitions for the club moving forward if they achieve that aim.

“I’ve watched Oakley for over 20 years and, when they approached me, I was interested in the job,” he said.

“It is just until the end of the season and then we’ll take it from there.

“It was a big shock to the players that James resigned on the Saturday and then that they had found someone to come in so quickly.

“The boys though were in good form and are buying into everything that I’m doing and asking from them.

“They have been working hard in training and you can’t ask for anything more than that.

“This is my first job in junior football, although I was manager at Steelend for a short time. I think I was in charge for 14-15 games but I was 30 then – I’m 44 now.

“I coached at the San Jose Earthquakes Academy but coaching’s coaching; it’s about how you handle players. I’ve been trying to put it over to them that they shouldn’t be afraid to express themselves; they should enjoy it because it’s only a game after all. It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake – it’s how you recover from it.

“The boys have been excellent so far and they are good players.

“If we can stay up, I’d like to keep the squad together because I believe if we could add a couple of players, we could be challenging next season.

“The signs are good we could make a push if we stay in the Premier League.”

He continued: “We’ve changed the shape of the team a bit and are trying to control the ball more.

“I watched about 10 games this season and felt we were playing it forward too quickly but if you’ve got it, the opposition can’t score. I watched them play at Edinburgh United and they were totally dominant but in games I saw after they went from back to front quickly.

“Football’s not rocket science; it’s quite an easy game and I knew the boys could play.

“I’m delighted with the way they’re playing so far.

“Oakley are a super club and have always been successful in junior football. They’re a bit of a sleeping giant and I am delighted to have the opportunity to manage them.

“The committee could’ve gone for a more experienced guy but they’ve looked outside the box and given me a chance. I hope I can repay them with results.”