The Unconventional Journey of a Football Veteran

As Preston North End and Aston Villa prepare for their high-stakes FA Cup quarter-final clash, former manager and player Simon Grayson is scripting an improbable chapter 4,500 miles away in the Himalayas. The 55-year-old Yorkshireman, now head coach of Nepal's Lalitpur City FC, sat down with BBC Sport to reflect on career crossroads, cultural immersion, and why he'd rather skip Everest's cable cars.

From Deepdale to Dhangadhi: A Manager's New Frontier

Grayson's 20-year managerial career – featuring promotions with Leeds United, Huddersfield, and Blackpool – took a radical turn when he accepted Nepal's defending Super League champions. "I'm here for a life experience," says the man who steered Preston to Championship promotion in 2015. His multicultural squad includes players from Martinique, Haiti, and Palestine, all adapting to his Yorkshire accent amid Kathmandu's golden temples.

FA Cup Nostalgia & Villa's Silverware Drought

With kickoff at Deepdale coinciding with Nepal's league opener, Grayson admits divided loyalties: "My heart wants Preston... but Villa gave me two great years." The ex-defender played alongside Dwight Yorke and Gareth Southgate during Villa's 1996 League Cup triumph – their last major trophy. "Unai Emery could change that," he observes, noting Villa's Champions League ambitions.

Himalayan Football Fever

Despite Nepal's #175 FIFA ranking, Grayson reports packed 15,000-seat stadiums for the seven-team professional league. He's embraced local culture – from Holi festival celebrations to mountain biking through hill villages – but draws the line at thrill-seeking: *"That two-hour helicopter ride to Everest base camp? No thanks!"**

Key Milestones Ahead

• March 30: Preston vs Villa (FA Cup) / Lalitpur's league debut
• April 26: Nepal Super League finals coincide with FA Cup semis

"I'll watch the game if time zones allow," laughs Grayson, "But training comes first – we've got a title to defend!"