Alan Smith (football manager)

Alan Smith, born 28 December 1946, is an English former manager who began his coaching career as Steve Coppell's assistant at Crystal Palace. When Palace suffered relegation from the Premiership in 1993, Coppell resigned and Smith moved up to the manager's seat. Smith achieved instant success at Selhurst Park, as his side won the Division One championship, but 1994–95 was a difficult season in which the club's survival chances were sabotaged by a shortage of goals. There was some hope in the cup competitions which lasted until Palace lost in the semi finals of both domestic cup competitions, but their relegation battle was lost on the final day of the season and Smith was sacked a few days later.

Smith was not out of work for long. He accepted an offer from Wycombe Wanderers to succeed Martin O'Neill as manager, but was sacked in September 1996 after a terrible start to the 1996–97 Division Two campaign, alienating himself from the Chairboys' fanbase in the process with what were perceived to be negative long-ball tactics.

From 1997 to 2000, Smith was employed by Fulham as Academy Director, but he quit this role in the summer of 2000 to again replace Steve Coppell as Palace manager, under new chairman Simon Jordan.

Palace reached the 2000–01 Worthington semi finals, but Smith was sacked in April with relegation looking imminent. Survival was achieved against all odds by caretaker manager Steve Kember.

Smith was not employed in football for eight years after his dismissal from Palace in April 2001, though he worked as an agent with one of his clients, manager Chris Coleman.

Smith joined Middlesbrough as a football consultant in July 2009. He joined the club to help Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, who played under Smith during his time at Crystal Palace, with their bid to return to the Premier League following relegation. Southgate and chairman Steve Gibson discussed the matter in detail before the appointment, which saw Smith take a behind-the-scenes role, rather than being involved on the training pitch or in the dressing room.^[1]

On 20 October 2009, Gareth Southgate was sacked by Middlesbrough; it is noted that Smith also left the club, but it is unclear whether he was sacked or just decided to leave.^[2]

Managerial statistics

As of 28 December 2011

References

1. ↑ "Alan Joins Boro Backroom". MFC.co.uk. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009. 
2. ↑ "Middlesbrough sack boss Southgate". bbc.co.uk. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009. 

External links

• Managerial record at soccerbase.com