KEVIN Watson says he is looking forward to coaching Colchester United’s up-and-coming youngsters after returning to the club.

The U’s promotion hero has agreed to a new part-time position coaching the club’s under-13 squad, alongside Mark Foster.

Watson, who made more than 150 appearances for Colchester between 2004 and 2008, has been aiming to get back into coaching since leaving his role as Stevenage’s assistant manager working alongside Teddy Sheringham, last February.

And although the 42-year-old’s main role will be coaching the U’s up-and-coming youngsters, the former Spurs midfielder says he is happy to make use of his experience at all levels.

Watson told the Daily Gazette: “I’m really glad to be back on board and I’m really looking forward to it.

“The chairman has been very kind to offer me this role and I had no qualms about coming in and accepting it.

“It’s a part-time role but I’m hoping that it’s a stepping stone that leads to other things and I’m absolutely open to more coaching work and happy to lend a hand whenever and wherever it’s needed.

“I’m always there if they want to call on the experience I had in League Two with Stevenage.

“Robbie is very loyal to his staff and once you’re in the door, you’re an insider.

“He’s been good enough to offer me this role and I was happy to accept it.

“Robbie is striving to have an academy at Colchester that produces talented young players who have the potential to do superbly for the club and play 100 to 150 games and then be sold for a transfer fee.

“The structure of the club is now completely different to how it was this time last year and they’re moving forward.”

Watson’s new role, which he starts next month, will see him coaching Colchester’s under-13s in Thursdays and Saturdays, ahead of games on Sundays.

“I’m probably more suited to coaching older players, because that’s the role that I’ve had at places like Stevenage and Luton Town in the past,” added Watson, who was coached by the likes of Terry Venables, Chris Hughton and Pat Holland during his 11-year stint at Spurs.

“I’ll have a bit of adapting to do but kids are like sponges and you get a lot of gratification as a coach out of seeing them improve.

“I coached the under-14s at Dagenham and Redbridge for a number of weeks and when I could see them improving, it was very rewarding.”