Alex McLeish

Infobox Football biography


playername = Alex McLeish
fullname = Alexander McLeish
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1959|1|21|df=y
cityofbirth = Barrhead
countryofbirth = Scotland
currentclub = Birmingham City (Manager)
position = Central Defender (retired)
years = 1978–1994
1994–1995
clubs = Aberdeen
Motherwell
Total
caps(goals) = 493 (25)
003 0(0)
496 (25)
nationalyears = 1980–1993
nationalteam = Scotland
nationalcaps(goals) = 077 0(0)
manageryears = 1994–1998
1998–2001
2001–2006
2007 2007–
managerclubs = Motherwell
Hibernian
Rangers
Scotland Birmingham City

Alexander "Alex" McLeish (born 21 January 1959) nicknamed "Big Eck",cite news|url=http://www.4thegame.com/club/glasgow-rangers-fc/manager-profile/29192/alex_mcleish.html|title=manager profile - Alex McLeish|accessdate=2007-10-16|publisher=www.4thegame.com] is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a central defender. Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, he played for Aberdeen during their 1980s glory years, making nearly 500 League appearances for the club, and won 77 caps for Scotland.

He started his managerial career with spells at Motherwell and Hibernian, before guiding Rangers to two championships and five cup wins in five years. McLeish spent ten months as manager of the Scotland national team which narrowly failed to qualify for the finals of the 2008 UEFA European championship. He then resigned this post in November 2007 to become manager of Birmingham City in the English Premier League, who were relegated at the end of the season.

In recognition of his distinguished service to Scottish sport, in 2008 McLeish was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Aberdeen. [cite news
url=http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2008/07/03/alex-mcleish-honoured-by-university-of-aberdeen-97319-21220729/ |title=Alex McLeish honoured by University of Aberdeen |publisher=Birmingham Mail |date=2008-07-03 |accessdate=2008-07-04]

Playing career

Aberdeen years

His playing career saw him join Aberdeen in 1976cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1704404.stm |title=Alex McLeish Factfile |date=2007-12-11 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] where he formed a formidable defensive partnership with Willie Miller. He enjoyed great success at Aberdeen under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson including a European Cup Wínners' Cup win over Real Madrid. When Sir Alex left to go to Manchester United, he tried to get Big Eck to sign, but it didn't work out; he also had talks with Tottenham Hotspur. He also won the Scottish player of the year in 1990. He was captain of Aberdeen after the retirement of Willie Miller.

Even after he had won his first Scotland cap, Alex McLeish's father asked then Aberdeen boss Sir Alex Ferguson to persuade him to continue training as an accountant.

Winners medals as Aberdeen player

*European Cup Winners Cup 1982/83
*European Super Cup 1983/84
*Scottish Premier League 1979/80, 1983/84, 1984/85"'
*Scottish Cup 1981/82, 1982/83, 1983/84, 1985/86, 1989/90
*Scottish League Cup 1985/86, 1989/90

International career

He also played in three World Cups with Scotland, in 1982, 1986 and 1990. He is a member of the Scotland Hall of Fame and Scotland's third most capped player, having gained 77 international caps between 1980 and 1993. cite news |url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?curpageid=350 |title=International Roll of Honour |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=Scottish Football Association]

Management career

Motherwell

After his successful playing career he quickly went into football management with Motherwell in 1994. His first season at Motherwell saw him take the Lanarkshire club to second in the Premier League behind Walter Smith's Rangers. However, he failed to build on this success and the next two season were spent in relegation battles. He resigned as manager to take over at Hibernian in 1998.

Hibernian

McLeish took over a struggling Hibernian side, which was relegated from the Scottish Premier Division in 1998 despite a slight upturn in fortunes under McLeish. He then guided the Edinburgh team back to the Scottish Premier League at the first attempt by winning the First Division championship.

Hibernian consolidated in their first season back in the top division, finishing mid-table and reaching the Scottish Cup semi-final. In the 2000/01 season, Hibs started very strongly. Eventually they had to settle for third place and a Scottish Cup final appearance. This performance attracted the attention of bigger clubs, including West Ham United and Rangers.

McLeish attracted top players such as Russell Latapy and former French international Franck Sauzée to Hibs. He also helped develop young striker Kenny Miller, who would later go on to play for Rangers, Wolves, Celtic, Derby County and Scotland.

Rangers

His work at Hibs was noticed, and he was linked with several moves to England, before he was appointed as Rangers manager in December 2001cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/1701609.stm |title=Rangers unveil McLeish |date=2001-12-11 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] after outgoing Rangers manager Dick Advocaat recommended McLeish to chairman David Murray.cite news |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.1744806.0.0.php |title=Advocaat’s vested interest in the improbable dream |date=2007-10-09 |accessdate=2007-10-16|publisher=The Herald|author=Darryl Broadfoot]

McLeish was an instant success at Rangers, winning both the Scottish Cupcite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scottish_cup/1966673.stm |title=Rangers win Old Firm final |date=2002-05-04 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] and Scottish League Cupcite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/cis_ins_cup/1875551.stm |title=Rangers lift CIS Cup |date=2002-03-17 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] in his first season, but the big prize of the league title was essentially lost before his arrival. His second season saw him go one better when he won the domestic treble, with the help of top players such as Ronald de Boer and Barry Ferguson.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/2946904.stm |title=Rangers complete Treble |date=2003-05-31 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport]

Rangers' worsening financial state saw many of his top players leave in the summer of 2003. Celtic won the league comfortably in season 2003/2004, and Rangers failed to win any trophies.cite web |url=http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PastManagersDetail/0,,5~141904,00.html |title=Past Managers - Alex McLeish |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=Rangers F.C.] McLeish was consequently put under pressure from fans after his poor signings and a record run of seven consecutive derby losses to Celtic.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3997583.stm |title=Bosses talk up Old Firm meeting |date=2004-11-09 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport]

The high profile Bosman signings of Jean-Alain Boumsong and Dado Pršo in the close season of 2004–05 gave Rangers renewed hope of regaining the title from Celtic's grasp.cite news |url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=532162004 |title=Prso capture sees McLeish celebrate |date=2004-05-10 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=The Scotsman |author=Angus Wright] McLeish's team won the 2005 league title on a dramatic last day, an outcome that had looked highly unlikely after Rangers fell five points behind leaders Celtic with just four games remaining. cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4570627.stm |title=Rangers in dramatic title triumph |date=2005-05-22 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport]

After this unexpected success, McLeish and his Rangers team headed into the 2005/06 SPL campaign as favourites to retain the championship. McLeish made a number of signings, despite having little money to spend. These included Julien Rodriguez and Ian Murray. After a reasonable start to the season, including a win over Celtic,cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4164472.stm |title=Rangers 3-1 Celtic |date=2005-10-20 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] Rangers suffered a series of poor results between September and November. This period included a club record of 10 games without a win. However the tenth match of this run, a 1–1 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League, took Rangers into the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4494912.stm |title=Rangers 1-1 Inter Milan |date=2005-12-06 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport]

Despite the poor domestic form, McLeish guided Rangers to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they were defeated on the away goals rule by Villarreal.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4778246.stm |title=Villarreal 1-1 Rangers (agg 3-3) |date=2006-03-07 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] They became the first Scottish team to progress this far in the European Cup since 1993, and the first Scottish team to progress through a European group stage. In December, chairman David Murray publicly announced his support for McLeish.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/4503564.stm |title=McLeish receives Murray's backing |date=2005-12-08 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] Rangers then went on a good run of results in December and January.

This run of good results came to a sudden halt when they were defeated 3–0 by Hibernian in the Scottish Cup,cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4676068.stm |title=Rangers 0-3 Hibernian |date=2006-02-04 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] prompting protests outside Ibrox against both McLeish and David Murray.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/4685366.stm |title=Fans expect more Ibrox protests |date=2006-02-06 |accessdate=2007-10-16|publisher=BBC Sport] On 9 February 2006, the increasing supporters' unrest and protests caused Rangers chairman David Murray to announce that Alex McLeish had had his contract teminated with notice at the end of the season.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/4697444.stm |title=McLeish to leave Rangers in May |date=2006-02-09 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport]

It was later announced that he would be succeeded by former Olympique Lyonnais manager Paul Le Guen. Rangers beat Hearts 2–0 at Ibrox Stadium, in his final match as manager.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4976560.stm |title=Rangers 2-0 Hearts |date=2006-05-07 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport]

cotland

McLeish said after leaving Rangers that he would not manage another Scottish club, because he felt that he had achieved everything in the Scottish game.cite news |url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=214912006 |title='I'm a Rangers man - I couldn't manage another Scottish club' |date=2006-02-11 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=The Scotsman] He was linked in the media with a number of managerial positions in England while he worked as a television pundit for the BBC and Setanta Sports.

McLeish took charge of the Scotland national side on 29 January 2007.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6289073.stm |title=McLeish unveiled as Scotland boss |date=2007-01-29 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] His assistants in the job were Roy Aitken and Andy Watson.McLeish's first game in charge of the national team was a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match, a 2–1 victory against Georgia on 24 March 2007 at Hampden Park.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6449543.stm |title=Scotland 2-1 Georgia |date=2007-03-24 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] His second game was an away fixture against Italy on 28 March 2007 which ended in a 2–0 defeat.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6495949.stm |title=Italy 2-0 Scotland |date=2007-03-28 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport]

McLeish's Scotland side then went on to defeat the Faroe Islands away in June,cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6713997.stm |title=Faroe Islands 0-2 Scotland |date=2007-06-06 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] Lithuania at home in Septembercite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6981599.stm |title=Scotland 3-1 Lithuania |date=2007-09-08 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] before recording a historic victory in Paris four days later by defeating France 1–0 in the Parc des Princes.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6986781.stm |title=France 0-1 Scotland |date=2007-09-12 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] James McFadden's 64th-minute strike from 30 yards was enough to earn Scotland the win and returned them to the top of Group B with three games to play. This result has been hailed as one of the Scotland national team's greatest victories.cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6986215.stm |title=McLeish proud of superb Scotland |date=2007-09-13 |accessdate=2007-10-16 |publisher=BBC Sport] Scotland's next success was at home to Ukraine, winning 3–1 at Hampden on 13 October. McLeish suffered his second defeat as manager, away in Georgia on 17 October. This result left him facing a decider against the World Champions, Italy. Scotland lost the game, McLeish's last, and Italy qualified for the finals. He is statistically the best Scotland manager ever with a win percentage of 70%.

Birmingham City

Premier League Birmingham City's approach to the SFA for permission to speak to McLeish about their managerial vacancy was refused, [cite news
url=http://sport.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=1660&id=1860622007 |title=SFA reject official approach for McLeish |publisher=The Scotsman |date=2007-11-27 |accessdate=2007-11-28] but on his return on 27 November 2007 from attending the draw for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification in South Africa, he resigned his post as manager of Scotland [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7114028.stm |title=McLeish leaves Scotland for Blues |publisher=BBC |date=2007-11-27 |accessdate=2007-11-27] and was announced as Birmingham's new manager the following day. His assistants with Scotland, Roy Aitken and Andy Watson, were to accompany him. McLeish said he wanted to return to working with players on a daily basis and had "always harboured a desire" to manage in the Premier League. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/7115728.stm |title=Birmingham unveil McLeish as boss |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2007-11-28 |accessdate=2007-11-28] He enjoyed a positive managerial debut with Birmingham, winning 3–2 away to Tottenham Hotspur.

In the January 2008 transfer window, McLeish strengthened Birmingham's squad, buying David Murphy and James McFadden and signing Argentina under-20 international Mauro Zárate on loan, while generating funds by allowing fringe players to leave. [cite news
url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/blues/2008/01/23/alex-mcleish-back-to-square-one-in-defender-hunt-97319-20384232/ |title=Alex McLeish back to square one in defender hunt |work=Birmingham Mail |author=Tattum, Colin |date=2008-01-23 |accessdate=2008-01-27]

However despite his arrival, on the last day of the season Birmingham City were relegated despite recording a impressive victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Managerial honours

Motherwell F.C. 1994–1998

*Scottish Premier Division
**Runners-Up (1): 1994–95

Hibernian F.C. 1998–2001

*Scottish Football League First Division:
**Winners (1): 1998–991999 represent second-tier championships, won after the creation of the Scottish Premier Division in 1975 (and latterly the Scottish Premier League in 1998).]
*Scottish Cup:
**Runners-Up (1): 2001

Rangers F.C. 2001–2006

*Scottish Premier League
**Winners (2): 2002–03, 2004–05
**Runners-Up (2): 2001–02, 2003–04
*Scottish Cup
**Winners (2): 2002, 2003
*Scottish League Cup
**Winners (3): 2002, 2003, 2005

Manager awards

* SPL Manager of the Month (9): October 2000, February 2002, September 2002, February 2003, August 2003, September 2003, November 2004, February 2005, January 2006

Managerial statistics

* Last updated 11 May 2008:

Source: [http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1537 Soccerbase]

References

External links

*soccerbase (manager)|id=1537|name=Alex McLeish
*SFA Profile|id=18|name=Alex McLeish