Cardiff Metropolitan manager Christian Edwards has revealed he won’t be traveling with his squad to Luxembourg for their Europa League qualifier with Progrès Niederkorn.
The 43-year-old instead will make his own way to the Municipal Stadium vun der Stad Déifferdeng for the first leg, which takes place on the 27th June.
Having revealed a fear of flying, Edwards plans to to either travel by car or via the Eurostar in separate arrangements to the squad.
The former Swansea City defender said: “I’m not flying. I’m driving. I’m not having those lads look at me and thinking they can get one up on me.
“Trying to manage 30 students on a trip, I’d be the only one missing on that plane because there’s no way I’m flying.
“They’ll be on that plane to Luxembourg, it’ll be an interesting challenge for the staff who’ll have to look after them.
“Containing Will Evans on a plane for two hours will be an interesting one!” joked Edwards.”
Embed from Getty ImagesFor Edwards though, that won’t detract him or Cardiff Met for the philosophical journey that they’ve been on.
The Archers have risen through the leagues since Christian Edwards took over in 2009 and after two years of play-off heartbreak, achieved their goal of European football.
It was a late moment, but the realisation of qualifying for Europe kicked in for the Met boss when the draw was about to begin.
“When you’re sat in the auditorium it’s like any lecture theatre but grander. When the main man is out who presents the Champions League, for me the defining moment was when the Europa League music played.
“You’re thinking wow this is real, we’re here with you wouldn’t say European greats but you’re respectful and say names from Europe who ten years ago who otherwise ten years ago would have been a dream.”
Embed from Getty ImagesProgrès Niederkorn were one of the toughest seeds Met could have drawn.
Niederkorn who finished fourth in the Luxembourg National Division, are most well known for beating Scottish Premier League side Rangers in 2017.
Both sides will play play their home legs away from their respective home grounds, with Met penciled in to play their second leg at Leckwith Stadium.
“I think we’d have preferred the home draw first.
“I’m happy with that draw. We could have gone to worse places. The three of us who were sat in the draw were very happy.
“It’s an adventure that we wanted. Whilst we understand romanticism doesn’t get you anywhere in football, we still wanted that journey. I know it’s something every single player is looking forward to.”
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