Fermanagh man Kieran McKenna will team up with Jose Mourinho next season as part of the Manchester United manager's management team at Old Trafford.

McKenna signed his contract with the club on Tuesday and moves from U18 manager at United where he has really caught the eye over the last two years to first team coach.

Kieran's proud brother James says that the family are over the moon with the news.

“It came as a big surprise and I don't think any of us were expecting it, I don't even think Kieran was expecting it himself!

“Everybody is very proud of him, my Mum and Dad (Mary and Liam) and my sister Rosemary and brother Robbie are delighted and we just hope that it goes well for him and he continues on the upward curve that he has been going on this last number of years,” he said.

Kieran first caught the eye of Tottenham Hotspur and signed as a 15 year old before going on to captain the Reserve side at the club but a hip injury brought an end to his playing days in North London.

As James explains though, it did not take long for Kieran to decide that he wanted to stay in the game.

“He didn't hesitate once he knew he wasn't going to play anymore, he knew that he wanted to coach and to stay in the game. He went out and got his degree and he was lucky to get the opportunity back with Tottenham to get back in the door. He has obviously been impressing in whatever role he has had. It has all gone pretty quick but he works very hard and he deserves everything that he gets,” he said.

McKenna took charge of the Spurs U18 side and led them to an FA Youth Cup victory over United but it was not long before United came calling and the lifelong supporter took up the position as the Red Devils U18 manager.

And he has clearly impressed as he steered United to the Premier League U18 North title.

“He has been there two seasons and he seems to have been making a big impression. I've been reading a lot of things online from supporters and that and they have been very complimentary. They feel that he has his teams playing a good brand of football and they have been pleased with the job that he has done,” said James.

He obviously also impressed the Manchester United manager Mourinho and with Rui Faria stepping down as assistant manager, Mourinho decided to add the Fermanagh man to his management team.

It's a move that James admits he is still trying to take in.

I”t's unbelievable and it has taken a while for it to sink in. When you think of the name that Mourinho has in world football and the things that he has won. It is great for Kieran to be able to work with and learn from somebody like that,” he said.

The move up the ranks will no doubt bring greater exposure for Kieran but James feels that it is something that he will just take in his stride.

“He is into the spotlight now and that brings its own pressures and expectations but I don't think that will faze him in anyway. He is very level headed and grounded and he will just keep doing what he is doing at youth level and try and transfer it to senior football. It is a chance for him to work with some massive players. That was the dream so it is great for him and he'll just look to get his head down and work hard,” he said.

James had the opportunity to get a sense of the size of United last week when he attended the FA Cup final with Kieran.

“You see the enormity of the club. I went to Wembley with him for the cup final and you see Kieran meeting all these different people from United but it is just like everyday work for him. It's a great opportunity and a new challenge for him but I know that he will embrace it and give it his all,” he commented.