An interview with Jonny Tuffey, by Callum McFadden for WFi.
You joined Crusaders in 2020 and, alongside playing, you’re also involved in coaching and management at the club. How much have you enjoyed your time at the club and the additional responsibilities you’ve taken on?
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Initially, coming in as a player was great, and then to win back-to-back cups and qualify for Europe on numerous occasions was fantastic. I really enjoyed all of that.
“I’m still enjoying playing, and now, as the oldest member of the squad, it’s great to be involved in guiding and developing a lot of younger players. Being able to pass on experience, help nurture them, and relay the importance of what it means to play for a club like Crusaders is something I really value.”
In terms of the strength of the group, how much do you thrive in that senior role?
“I really enjoy it. It’s about building relationships with the players, especially the younger lads who have come over from Scotland. It’s important they know they can come and speak to you, have open conversations, and feel supported.
“As a senior pro, helping to drive standards around the club is crucial. Young players need to understand the expectations and what’s required to play here. It’s something I thrive on and genuinely enjoy. Hopefully, those lads feel comfortable coming to speak to people like myself or Robbie Weir, another senior pro. It’s important we help guide them along.”
You had also been managing the women’s team, Crusaders Strikers, since 2021. How much have you enjoyed that role, and how challenging has it been?
“It’s been brilliant and a real education. Managing people first and foremost is key, getting messages across clearly as a coach, setting standards, and shaping how you want the team to play, act, and behave from a managerial perspective rather than as a player.
“You also learn about the challenges that come with selection decisions, explaining why players are or are not playing and managing those conversations. That’s been invaluable.
“The pressure is very different. As a player, you’re focused mainly on yourself and your own preparation. As a manager, you’re responsible for 18 to 22 players, worrying about every aspect of what they’re doing. It’s definitely more challenging, but it’s been a great learning experience and one I’ve really enjoyed.”
Looking back to the start of your career, how much did you learn during your time at Coventry City?
“A huge amount. Coventry was an unbelievable education for me. The academy structure was excellent, with the right people in the right roles and a fantastic environment to develop in.
“It was a really homely place where you felt safe and supported, but you were also given the space to grow and develop both as a person and as a player. The experiences I had there as a young lad were invaluable.”
From there, you moved to Partick Thistle, where you made over 100 appearances and are still regarded as a fans’ favourite. How do you reflect on your time at Firhill?
“I absolutely loved my time at Partick. After the first six months of settling in. Kenny Arthur was there, and I think everything that he has done for the club speaks for itself, and I know he’s back there again now in a coaching capacity.
“Once I finally settled in and got into the team, it was incredible. That transition was massive for me. As much as I’d been training with Coventry’s first team, it was so important to actually go out and play on weekends. Men’s football in a competitive league, where three points really mattered. Learning how to handle the expectation of winning games and how to deal with the disappointment of losing was huge for my development.
“Playing under Dick Campbell, who was a massive character, was brilliant for me. When Ian McCall came in, he had a slightly different approach to Dick, but again, he has a fantastic relationship with the club. Honestly, all my time there was incredible. It is a really, really good club with a lot of great people in key areas throughout the entire structure.”
During that time, you also earned eight senior caps for Northern Ireland. What was that experience like?
“It was a real catch-me moment, to be honest. Every young lad dreams of representing their country, and just being in the squad was incredible, never mind getting to play.
“Being around legends of Northern Irish football like David Healy, Keith Gillespie, Aaron Hughes, Chris Brunt, Steve Davis, Jonny Evans, and many others was humbling. To see how they operated, learn from them, and ask questions was invaluable. I’m extremely grateful to Nigel Worthington for giving me that opportunity. It’s an experience I’ll always cherish.”
After seven years in Scotland, you returned home to the Irish League. Was that something you always wanted to do?
“I was open to seeing what options were available at the time, and returning home turned out to be the right move for me. I joined Linfield, then spent almost six years at Glenavon, and now five years at Crusaders.
“Coming back allowed me to re-establish myself in the Irish League and, more importantly, gave me stability to work full-time in football while developing my coaching and management roles. It’s been a very enjoyable and educational journey, and I still have plenty of ambition left.”
David Jeffrey brought you to Linfield. What was he like to work with?
“David was incredible. His man-management skills were second to none. He knew everything about his players, their families, their backgrounds, everything.
“He was a natural-born winner, and his career speaks for itself. The motivation he provided and the people he had around him made him an outstanding manager, but above all, he was a fantastic person.”
How special was your time at Glenavon under Gary Hamilton when you won the Irish Cup?
“It was brilliant. Winning the Irish Cup in my first season and qualifying for Europe a couple of times was special, especially considering we probably punched above our weight.
“Gary had an unbelievable record of bringing academy players through to the first team, and he took a chance on me when I left Linfield. We clicked, and I spent almost six years there. I still speak to him now. People with his experience and knowledge are vital to the game.”
You’ve worked under several top managers, including Stephen Baxter and Declan Caddell. How important has that been for your development?
“It’s been massive. They were all unique in their own way, each with different strengths and areas of expertise.
“I’ve taken little bits from each of them, things I liked and things I think work well. It’s been a real education for the next chapter of my career. Everyone wants to be unique as a coach, but there’s huge value in learning from people who have been successful and understanding how they’ve done it.”
Finally, is your ultimate ambition now to manage at the highest level possible?
“Yes, definitely. Once you get into your thirties, you start thinking about what’s next. I’ve always been keen to stay in the game, and coaching and management really interest me.
“Managing at the highest level possible would be the pinnacle for me. I’m putting the groundwork in now with coaching, badges, and education. You need a bit of luck and opportunity along the way, but it’s important to earn those chances by doing the work and building the right foundations.”
COMMENTS