I got the management job I wanted. Can I ask to go back to specialist work?

I spent Tuesday sorting out a rota dispute while the technician who replaced me tested a new prototype. By five, I realised I wanted her day.

Nine months ago, I accepted a permanent supervisor role in our product testing team. I like supporting people, but I miss the patient, detailed work I used to do. My calendar is now staffing, progress meetings and conversations about other people’s projects.

My team hasn’t complained, and my manager says I’m settling in well. That makes it harder to explain. I’m not asking to escape a disaster. I’ve learned enough about the job to suspect that the part I gave up suited me better than the part I gained.

There’s a specialist vacancy coming up in another team. I don’t know its terms yet. Asking about it would reveal a preference I’ve been trying not to admit.

How would you start that conversation? Does wanting specialist work again mean I should leave management, or is there a way to test the choice before changing roles?