JAMES Beattie wants to get back into management as soon as possible after leaving the Accrington Stanley hotseat.

The former Blackburn Rovers and England striker had his contract with Stanley terminated by mutual consent 10 days ago.

Since then the 36-year-old has been spending time with his wife and three children who remained at the family home in Dorset after he was appointed Reds boss in May 2013.

But Beattie, who used to make the 560-mile round trip back to the south coast once a week, admits he is already getting ‘itchy feet’.

He returned to watch Southampton, for who he scored 76 goals in 220 appearances after leaving his boyhood heroes Rovers, in their U21 Premier League encounter against another of his former clubs, Everton on Monday.

And Beattie, who won five caps for England, intends to call on more of his top-class contacts to help prepare him for his next job.

“I left a week ago last Friday so I’ve been off for 10 days and I’ve been enjoying quality time with my family, with my wife and my three children down on the south coast,” said Beattie, who guided Stanley to League Two safety in his sole full season in charge.

“I’ve just been trying to relax.

“But I’ve also been keeping an eye on what’s going on in the football world and there are a few things going on that I’m looking at.

“I’ve spoken to a few people and I’m going into a few places where I know people, just to watch training and maybe write down some sessions and stuff like that which I can take into my next job.

“I was at Southampton’s training ground yesterday, having a look at that.

“I had itchy feet and I want to get back in as soon as possible.

“I know I can manage people now, I know I can manage a team within financial constraints, and I know I can get the best out of players.

“It’s something I really want to do and it’s something I really want to get back into. Now I’m just waiting for an opportunity for someone who is willing to take on a young, ambitious manager.”

The Reds have since reappointed John Coleman as their new boss.

Coleman’s second coming started in remarkable fashion on Saturday as Stanley, inspired by on-loan Rovers midfielder John O’Sullivan, won a nine-goal thriller 5-4 at Northampton.

The win hauled the Reds up to 17th going into this Saturday’s home clash with Plymouth Argyle.

Coleman will be without Joe Lumley for the visit of the Pilgrims after the 19-year-old goalkeeper returned to parent club Queens Park Rangers following the end of his one-month loan. Lumley made six starts for Stanley.