‘She’s worried about you.’ Marty spoke like he was braced for a reaction.

Danny leaned back, giving up on the toast completely to swap it for his strong coffee. ‘How messed up is that? You kick something out onto the street and then tell people you’re worried about it!’

‘It’s a little more complicated than that.’

‘You’re my agent, Marty, not hers.’

Marty held up his hands, one containing a glass of orange juice. ‘I’m not taking sides, you know me better. I just want your head back in football. This is a big year for you. That coaching role at Dover Athletic, it was yours, signed, sealed, delighted. But the board are getting a little shaky. They’re worried about you too.’

‘Worried? They know I can do that job!’

‘They know you can do anything when you’re keen. And sober.’

Danny bit his lip to hold back his first response. ‘Coaching …’ he said instead.

‘Coaching, yeah. A coaching role at a club like that, where you’ve got some sway, where you’re respected, where you can make mistakes and they’ll still give you time … They give you the kids to manage and you get some results and who knows, suddenly you’re getting offers for football management. I’ve said it to you all along, it can be a real future for you. Plus you get a salary and—’

‘Salary! If you can call it that!’

‘Fine, it’s not Premier League money but prove yourself at this level and the only way is up. A head coach or a manager in the Football League will do you very nicely, thank-you-very-much. Earn a contract in the Championship and you’re sorted for life, whether you work the whole of it or not. Trust me, I will make sure of that.’

‘Why would anyone give me a job running a Championship side?’

‘They won’t, not straight off the bat. That’s why you need to clean yourself up, finish your coaching badges, get yourself established in this role and start doing what you do. You’re smart, Danny. You know football, you know the nitty gritty, the messing about behind the scenes to get the players you want and then getting them to do what you want. Players listen to you, you’ve captained every side you’ve ever played for. That ain’t no fluke and it’s rare. You’re The Beast after all.’

‘I don’t feel like it right now.’