Irish footballing ‘God’ Paul McGrath has the only advice he would give his younger self is “Don’t ever start drinking”.

Speaking on Anton Savage this morning, McGrath reminisced on the highs and lows of his illustrious career – and revealed what he would do differently, if he had the chance.

“Don’t ever start drinking. That's the only advice that I'd give myself,” he said.

Now, McGrath is enjoying spending his retirement as a grandfather. His sixth grandchild was born today, at around four in the morning.

Regrets

McGrath believes that playing under the influence definitely impacted on his performances at times.

“You're letting down your teammates,” said McGrath, who is considered one of the greatest Irish footballers of all time.

Paul McGrath Teams Up With Pringles this Movember To Champion Men’s Mental Health, 09-10-2024.

He hopes that his journey, and his involvement in Movember this year, will inspire others to open up.

He said that despite his regrets, the past is the past and for better or worse, “time marches on really quickly”.

“It's been done now. And I've really no regrets about any of the games,” said McGrath.

Paul McGrath chases down Italy’s Roberto Baggio during the 1990 World Cup Quarter Final in Rome, 30-06-1990. Image: Alamy

McGrath also spoke about his tense relationship with legendary Man United football manager Alex Ferguson, who sold McGrath to Aston Villa in 1989.

He has previously said that he hated Ferguson at the time – but now understands his reasoning behind the sale.

It was while playing for Villa that McGrath earned the nickname ‘God’ for his incredible defending.

He said he now appreciates Ferguson’s decision to “give me a few shillings” to work for Manchester United.

Getting help

While he is doing “well at the moment”, it has been difficult in the past for McGrath to seek help for himself.

“I just didn't want people knowing about it and stuff like that. So the bottom of the glass was the easiest place for me to go to.”

“Some men, they want to be the macho people, and hide certain things and stuff like that,” McGrath said.  “It's always good to talk, I believe anyway.”

He looks back on his career with fondness, despite the struggles he went through.

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