Ex prop Young played for Cardiff and also coached the Blues for a hugely successful period from 2003 until 2011. He also won 51 caps for Wales and three for the British & Irish Lions.
Now after an impressive stint at English club side Wasps, he is back in the capital of Wales as the interim director of rugby with a view to taking on the role on a permanent basis.
“Obviously I have a huge emotional attachment to this club and the supporters and I’m proud to have played for Cardiff and captained them for four seasons,” Young said.
“I then went on to coach the Blues. I was born and bred in Pen-y-Waun in the Cynon Valley so I’ve come from the region, played and coached, and it means a hell of a lot to me.
“I’ve certainly had itchy feet over the last couple of months and was probably expecting to get back into the game in June if I’m honest, but an opportunity came up here and it was something I jumped at.
“As you get older you mellow a little bit so I’m not so addicted to it all as I was in the past.
“You have to be a bit more collaborative and take other views, not just your own. But I’m much more experienced and much more rounded in my job and this is a great opportunity.
“I’m very fortunate to work in sports, but to work in the game you love and, more importantly, with the club and region you love, it couldn’t be much better.
“Even when I was at Wasps, Cardiff Blues would be the second result you’re looking for and if they were ever on the box, I’d be watching.
“So I am familiar with the players’ playing qualities, but not so familiar with their attitude.
“I don’t know where they are attitude-wise so I’ll lean on the coaches a little bit initially on that and then find out for myself.
“But it’s a good blend with a lot of experienced players but also a lot of youngsters on the upward curve.
“The hopes for the rest of the season, first and foremost, and my view, is that Cardiff Blues should always be at the business end of the season challenging for things.
“That’s where we should be. We should be in play-offs every year, and the more play offs you’re in and the more semi-finals you’re in, the more chance you have to get your hands on trophies.”
To work in the game you love and, more importantly, with the club and region you love, it couldn’t be much better
Young’s first game in charge of the Blues will be their rescheduled Guinness PRO14 clash with the Scarlets on Friday, February 22.
As he reflected on his first few days in charge, Young added: “It’s been pretty hectic trying to meet all the staff, some of which I already knew but not all of them.
“I’ve been trying to say hello to the players as well but I’ve been really excited.
“I never thought I’d be back. It was something I never thought would happen but certainly when I had that call I jumped at the opportunity to come back and work at the Arms Park again.
“The agreement at the moment is I’m definitely here until the end of the season and my role, initially, is to come in, work with the coaches, give the coaches and staff a bit of direction, and try to help them to get the best out of the team.
“If that leads to a longer term contract, so be it. It gives the club an opportunity to look at me, and gives me an opportunity to look at them as well.
“But certainly, in an ideal world, it would be something I’d be interested in. Looking from the outside in, I can see there is a lot of talent within the squad, a lot of young players, and it’s an exciting project.
“There are a lot of young players that can be developed and that has to be the way forward, not only for clubs in Wales, but clubs right across Europe at the moment.
“There has to be a big emphasis on developing your own players and giving them opportunities and try to get the best out of them. If you can supplement them with one or two boys from outside, so be it.
“But it’s an exciting time here and there are a lot of players here who are on the upwards curve.”
