Tim Bryett's journey to becoming a football manager has taken him from Marlow to Kenya. Where it will take him next is anyone’s guess, according to the 33-year-old.

In 1997 Bryett was coaching the youth team at Marlow FC. Today he is manager of Kenyan Premier League outfit Thika United having taken the reins in January.

Bryett, who graduated from Buckinghamshire New University with a degree in Sports Management and Football Studies in 2005, holds a UEFA B coaching licence, and he admits that the world of football management isn’t as glamorous as it may seem.

“My advice for anyone who wants to do this job is to get qualified as that is the start, then work harder than everyone else, and when you get your chance work even harder,” he said.

“It’s not easy and it’s not like playing a football management game on a computer where you can switch it off and relax whenever you want. It’s planning, learning, development, passion, challenging, analysing, pressure and responsibility.”

Bryett spent two years coaching at Wycombe Wanderers from 1999, firstly in a community scheme before helping to train academy players at the club’s centre of excellence.

He also lists time working with Reading’s academy on his seemingly endless CV which also includes volunteer work with the youth sections at Brazilian clubs Corinthians and Santos.

His first opportunity in management came at another Kenyan side, Nairobi City Stars, which lasted only five months before he left the club in August.

But his first experience as a manager hasn’t deterred him, he said: “I’m head coach and manager of a good Kenyan Premier League club in a televised league, with some full national team, U23s and U20s national team players, building a team to challenge for the league in the next few seasons and participate in the African Champions League.

“To make it even more challenging I have taken on two clubs, Thika United in the top tier and Ligi Ndogo in the second tier.

“I’m up at 5am and arriving at Ligi Ndogo ready to coach them from 7am to 9am, then Thika Utd from 11am till 1pm and then a tactical or recovery session in the afternoon and then in the evenings planning and preparing video analysis for the players and coaches. But then success is never easy and the more success you want the harder you have to work.”