When my hero Kenny Dalglish agreed to rejoin Liverpool as manager it made me think about a Managers XI. There have been plenty of ex players who in turn have tried their hand at management – not all successfully.
This team of players have all worn the Hoops and are now managing, I would reckon in their day it would have been quite an impressive team. No doubt there will be others whom I have missed.
Please let me know your thoughts, any additions are more than welcome as I have no substitutes and with the age of these guys there will be more than a few tired legs.
1 ) JONATHAN GOULD WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Helped stop the dreaded 10-in-a-row and stayed on to win a League Cup medal under Martin O’Neil. He is now the assistant manager of Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand- their season starts in October and they’ll be looking to improve on last season’s sixth place finish
2 ) JACKIE McNAMARA PARTICK THISTLE
Steady and reliable with a great engine, good player in a great team. Jackie was given the Partick Thistle manager’s job on a caretaker basis in April before being given the job on a permanent basis at the end of the season. Will have former Celtic team-mate Simon Donnelly as his assistant.
3) DAVIE MOYES EVERTON
Remember him scoring against Rangers in a 3-3 draw at Celtic Park before his career fizzled out being transferred to Cambridge United in 1983. One of the longest serving managers in the Premiership after rescuing Everton from relegation following the sacking of Walter Smith at Goodison
4) MALKY MacKAY WATFORD
No frills centre half, highlight scoring against Rangers in Scottish Cup tie at Celtic Park before some great service at Norwich City where he was voted into the Hall of Fame. Watford have been the among the favourites for relegation from the Championship for the last two seasons but Mackay has kept them comfortably in mid-table.
5) MICK McCARTHY WOLVES
Played in the double winning team in Centenary season of 1988-solid centre half. Has kept Wolves in the Premiership for the last two seasons and ‘enjoyed’ a turbulent time as Ireland manager including the 2002 World Cup where he had to do without the services of Roy Keane
6 ) PAUL HARTLEY ALLOA ATHLETIC
Midfielder who played for his boyhood idols amongst many clubs such as Hamilton, Millwall, Hibs, Raith Rovers, St Johnstone, Hearts, Bristol City and Aberdeen. Starting off his managerial career in the bottom rung of Scottish football but will be expected to steer Alloa to promotion
7) HENRIK LARSSON LANDSKRONA
Legend, will never be another for the money spent and the man that sparked a million memories amongst his 242 Celtic goals. Now in his second season in management in the Swedish Second Division he has his work cut out with an injury ravaged squad that are currently sitting in third bottom place.
8) NEIL LENNON CELTIC
Great reader of the game and showing the same passion for management as he did on the park as a player. Revamped a stale looking squad with imaginative signings and certainly succeeded in bringing the thunder back to Celtic Park- he’ll be expecting the SPL title next season as much as any supporter.
9) KENNY DALGLISH LIVERPOOL
Heartbroken when he left in 1977, he was my hero, skills which can’t be taught and a European Cup winner at Liverpool. He won the title for Liverpool and Blackburn and after a decade out of management is back in the Anfield hot seat and expected to bring back the good times.
10) PAUL LAMBERT NORWICH CITY
Borussia Dortmund’s European cup winner, and a great influence in Wim Jansen’s title winners before excelling as Martin O’Neill’s captain. After a tough start to management at Livingston and Wycombe he has taken Norwich into the Premiership after back-to-back promotions and is one of the most highly rated young manager in England.
11) PAOLO DI CANIO SWINDON TOWN
First managerial post at relegated Swindon Town- starting off in the Football League basement. Spent one dramatic season at Celtic before a turbulent career in England with Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham where he was adored by the fans. His temperament will be solely tested managing Swindon.
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