The former Aston Villa, Doncaster and Burton midfielder was appointed this week after eight years at Mickleover and has been tasked with leading the National League North side into a bold new era.
By his own admission, full-time management is a step into the unknown, but McGrath is getting guidance from some of the best in the business.
Nigel Clough, who has just won promotion to League One with Mansfield, signed McGrath for Burton in 2007 and has remained a close personal friend ever since.
Another former Brewers boss – ex-Premier League full-back Gary Rowett – has managed almost 400 games in the Championship with Birmingham, Derby, Stoke and Millwall.
“I saw Nigel about a month ago,” says the 44-year-old, who played 247 games for Burton and won promotion to the EFL in 2009.
“He invited me down to the Mansfield training ground, which was very kind. We had a good couple of hours, a cup of tea and a chat. We’re still pretty close.
“We were a very hard-working team at Burton. No superstars, just seven or eight out of ten every week. We were a decent footballing side, but, first and foremost, Nigel set us up to win games. To be fit and to outwork the opposition.
“He’s a great manager with massive pedigree and the history that family have in football – I feel very privileged to be privy to that.
“I also spoke to Gary Rowett the other day, just to pick his brains on some of the full-time aspects of management.
Denne historien er fra May 12, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 12, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.
