Mark McGhee

Mark McGhee
Personal information
Full name Mark Edward McGhee
Date of birth (1957-05-25) 25 May 1957
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current team
 Motherwell (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1975–1977 Greenock Morton 64 (37)
1977–1979 Newcastle United 28 (5)
1979–1984 Aberdeen 164 (63)
1984–1985 SV Hamburg 30 (7)
1985–1989 Celtic 88 (27)
1989–1991 Newcastle United 67 (24)
1991 IK Brage 3 (2)
1991–1993 Reading 45 (7)
Total 489 (172)
National team
1983–1984 Scotland 4 (2)
Teams managed
1991–1994 Reading
1994–1995 Leicester City
1995–1998 Wolverhampton Wanderers
2000–2003 Millwall
2003–2006 Brighton & Hove Albion
2007–2009 Motherwell
2009–2010 Aberdeen
2012 Bristol Rovers
2013– Scotland (assistant manager)
2015– Motherwell

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (goals)

Mark Edward McGhee (born 25 May 1957 in Glasgow) is a former Scottish professional football player, manager of Motherwell and current assistant manager of the Scottish national team. McGhee started his career at Greenock Morton in 1975 and spent spells at clubs including Newcastle United, Aberdeen, SV Hamburg, Celtic, IK Brage and Reading. McGhee was part of the Aberdeen side which won the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup and 1983 UEFA Super Cup, as well as three Scottish Premier Division titles. McGhee has since managed several clubs in both England and Scotland, including Reading, Millwall, Aberdeen and Brighton & Hove Albion

Playing career

McGhee began his professional career in 1975 at Morton, where he developed into a very promising centre forward. In December 1977 he moved to England, signing for Newcastle United. Despite an encouraging start at St James' Park, managerial changes at the club saw McGhee fall down the pecking order. McGhee returned north in March 1979 as Alex Ferguson's first major signing for Aberdeen.[1]

He made his début for The Dons on 1 April 1979 against former club Morton. This would be the start of the most successful part of McGhee's playing career. He won his first major honour the following season when Aberdeen won the Scottish Premier Division, the first time in 15 years that a club outwith the Old Firm had finished Scottish Champions. At Aberdeen McGhee went on to win a further league title in 1984 as well as a hat-trick of successive Scottish Cup wins from 1982 to 1984. He was also part of the Aberdeen side that defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983, with his cross from the left setting up John Hewitt to score the winning goal. McGhee also won the European Super Cup the following season, with him scoring against SV Hamburg in the second leg at Pittodrie. During his time at Aberdeen, he also won the Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year in 1982.[1]

McGhee moved to Germany in the summer of 1984, with SV Hamburg paying Aberdeen a transfer fee of £330,000.[2] His time there was not a success, primarily due to injuries, and McGhee moved back to Scotland 16 months later after scoring only 12 goals to join Celtic in a £170,000 deal.[2][3] McGhee won a further Scottish Premier Division title in 1986 as Celtic pipped Hearts on goal difference.[1] The following year saw McGhee struggle at Parkhead through injury and the inability to displace Mo Johnston and Brian McClair from the starting line-up.[4] However, the departure of several Celtic players in the summer of 1987 gave McGhee a new lease of life at Celtic Park[4] and he won a League and Scottish Cup double in the club's Centenary Season.[1] He won a further Scottish Cup in 1989[5] and was Celtic's top scorer that season, also finishing joint top scorer in the Scottish Premier Division alongside Aberdeen's Charlie Nicholas.[6]

McGhee joined Newcastle United for a second time in 1989. He quickly forged a successful partnership up front with Micky Quinn, and their goals saw Newcastle come close to gaining promotion to the First Division (the top-tier in England at that time), finishing third in the Second Division.[7] McGhee and Quinn were less prolific the following season, and the arrival of Ossie Ardiles as manager in March 1991 saw McGhee dropped from the team.[3]

A brief spell in Sweden at IK Brage followed before McGhee joined Reading as player-manager in May 1991.[3] He finally retired from playing in 1993 due to injury.

During his playing career, McGhee also won four caps and scored two goals for the Scotland national football team. He also played for Queen of the South as a guest player against Manchester United in a benefit game following the Lockerbie air disaster.

Management career

Early years

McGhee's management career began as player-manager at third tier Reading in 1991, succeeding Ian Porterfield, after being recommended for the post by his ex-manager Alex Ferguson. He officially retired as a player in 1993 and won the Division Two title with the Royals the following season and quickly adapted to the second flight during the next campaign, taking the team as high as second place by December 1994. This spotlighted him as an up-and-coming young manager and he was offered the chance to move to Premier League Leicester City. His move in December 1994 came despite having agreed a long term contract to remain at Reading. However, he joined with the Foxes adrift in the relegation zone and was unable to keep them up, finishing second bottom.

He remained at Filbert Street post-relegation and set about launching a promotion campaign but did not see the season out after being approached by Wolverhampton Wanderers. He left to take control at Wolves in December 1995, less than 12 months after arriving at Leicester.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

McGhee moved to Wolves on 13 December 1995, taking his assistant Colin Lee along with him, following the sacking of Graham Taylor. The club's hopes of promotion lay in tatters at the time after just five wins from their previous 21 games, and his first game saw another loss, as they went down 0–1 to Port Vale at Molineux.

He quickly added midfielders Simon Osborn and Steve Corica and tried to implement a more passing game than the direct tactics of his predecessor. The team enjoyed a strong start to 1996, and had lifted themselves to the verge of the play-offs by March. However, their early season form returned in the final months and they failed to win any of their final eight fixtures, ending in 20th, just three points clear of relegation, marking their lowest finish since returning to the division in 1989.

McGhee was given further funds to invest in the summer and brought in Iwan Roberts to boost the attack. The 1996–97 season duly saw them launch a promotion campaign, with ambitions of an automatic spot. However, a poor string of results in the final ten games, allowed surprise package Barnsley to snatch second place behind runaway champions Bolton Wanderers, condemning Wolves to the play-offs. McGhee saw his team concede two late goals in a 3–1 defeat at Crystal Palace in their semi final tie, which ultimately cost them the chance of reaching the Premier League, despite a 2–1 victory in the return leg.

His failure to reach the top flight prompted a tirade from Wolves owner Sir Jack Hayward, who moaned that he would no longer be "the golden tit", supplying the club with endless finance. He cut McGhee's spending power and also fired his son Jonathan as chairman, who had been instrumental in bringing McGhee to the club, thus undermining his job security.

The 1997–98 season saw the club largely outside the play-off places, ending in ninth. McGhee's high point of the campaign was their FA Cup run which saw them make the semi finals for the first time since 1981, and marked his best Cup run as a manager. However, his Wembley dream was dashed by Arsenal (double winners that season) as they edged past the Midlanders 1–0 at Villa Park.

The following season started well for McGhee as he won his opening four games, but the following twelve brought just two victories. This prompted Wolves to fire him on 5 November 1998. His assistant Colin Lee took over the reins on a temporary basis, later made permanent.

He managed a total of 156 competitive games for Wolves; 64 of them were won, 38 drawn and 54 lost.[8]

Millwall

On 6 July 2000, McGhee joined Coventry City, who were at the time managed by Gordon Strachan, as a scout.[9] After only two months he was appointed manager at Millwall who were playing in the third tier in September 2000, replacing the duo of Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary. McGhee swiftly won the Division Two title in his first season and led the club to the Division One play-offs in the following campaign. Here, he suffered more play-off agony as the club lost to a last minute Birmingham City goal to deny them a place in the final.

The 2002–03 season saw McGhee take the club to ninth, falling eight points short of another play-off finish. The next season saw things take a downward turn as his relationship with chairman Theo Paphitis strained and players began to be sold. McGhee left The New Den on 15 October 2003, following a 0–1 home defeat to Preston North End.[10]

Brighton

McGhee was appointed manager of Brighton on 28 October 2003, just 13 days after leaving Millwall. Here, he inherited the team left by Steve Coppell who moved to one of McGhee's former clubs. The club had been relegated to League One the previous season, but McGhee managed to regain promotion to the Championship in his first season as they won the play-offs, after beating Bristol City 1–0 in the final. He managed to keep the club in the Championship the following season in 2004–05, finishing 20th, their highest league position in 14 years.

However, he led the club to relegation the following season, when they were finally mathematically condemned at home by Sheffield Wednesday. McGhee was sacked as Brighton manager on 8 September 2006 after nearly three years with the club, following three consecutive defeats in the 2006–07 season.[11]

Motherwell

In 2006, he was linked with the vacant managerial post at Irish club Bohemians[12] and in February 2007 was reported to have applied for the manager's position at Swansea City.[13] However, on 18 June 2007, he was appointed new manager of Motherwell and to be assisted by Scott Leitch.[14]

McGhee transformed Motherwell from a team that just avoided relegation in the 2006–07 Scottish Premier League to finishing third in the 2007–08 Scottish Premier League, which meant that Motherwell qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup. This was the first time in 13 years that Motherwell had qualified for European competition. Pundits believed this was due to the fluent, attacking style of football that McGhee had introduced.[15] Gordon Strachan, a longtime friend and former teammate of McGhee, recommended him for the then-vacant Scotland job in November 2007. However, despite making the shortlist of candidates, he eventually missed out on the post to George Burley. His sensitive handling of the death of club captain Phil O'Donnell, who collapsed on the pitch during a game with Dundee United and never regained consciousness, enhanced his profile within the club and the wider community.

On 23 May 2008, Hearts made an official approach to Motherwell asking them permission to speak to McGhee about making him their new manager, which Motherwell refused.[16] It was reported that McGhee wanted a meeting with Vladimir Romanov to seek reassurances about team selection and squad control at Hearts before moving. McGhee was expected to move,[17] but McGhee changed his mind before flying to Lithuania to meet with Romanov.[18]

Aberdeen

On 12 June 2009, McGhee was confirmed as the new manager of Aberdeen.[19] His first competitive match in charge resulted in a 5–1 home defeat by Czech team Sigma Olomouc in the UEFA Europa League.[20] Aberdeen lost the return leg 3–0, resulting in an 8–1 aggregate defeat,[21] which is Aberdeen's heaviest defeat in UEFA competition.[22] After another poor result against First Division side Raith Rovers in February, McGhee claimed he was spat at by members of the Aberdeen support.[23]

On 6 November 2010, Aberdeen fell to a humiliating 9–0 defeat at the hands of Celtic, which set a new club record defeat.[22] McGhee failed to apologise for the performance, much to the ire of the fans.[24] McGhee had previously stated to the press "Go and look me up on Wikipedia. I've got a track record".[25] It was announced days later that McGhee had been given a vote of confidence to continue as manager. After further poor results, however, McGhee was sacked on 1 December.[26] The club were second bottom of the SPL and only avoided last place on goal difference.[27] His tenure ended with McGhee being statistically the second least successful Aberdeen manager, only ahead of Alex Miller, with just 17 wins from 62 matches (27.42%).[22][28]

Bristol Rovers

On 18 January 2012, McGhee was appointed manager of Bristol Rovers on a two-and-a-half-year contract. His first competitive match in charge was an away game at Cheltenham Town, where a 2–0 victory was secured for Bristol Rovers.[29] He presided over an upturn in form for Bristol Rovers which saw them go from relegation contenders to finishing in mid-table, including beating Burton Albion and Accrington Stanley 7–1[30] and 5–1[31] respectively in the final two home games of the season.

The following season, Rovers were expected to be amongst the contenders for promotion, but they struggled for form and were instead again in a relegation battle. On 15 December 2012, following a 4–1 loss to York City McGhee was sacked as manager with Bristol Rovers second from bottom of the league.[32]

Scotland assistant

McGhee joined the coaching staff of the Scotland national side on 18 January 2013, as assistant to his close friend Gordon Strachan.[33] Upon his appointment, McGhee said his new job could revive his career following two managerial failures and expressed his delight of his new job.[34] McGhee said that he hoped to continue in the role on a part-time basis after being appointed Motherwell manager in October 2015.[35]

Motherwell (second spell)

McGhee was appointed manager of Motherwell for a second time on 13 October 2015.[36]

Managerial statistics

As of match played 13 February 2016
Team From To Record
PWDLWin %
Reading 10 May 1991 14 December 1994 183 79 51 53 43.17
Leicester City 14 December 1994 7 December 1995 51 16 14 21 31.37
Wolverhampton Wanderers 13 December 1995 5 November 1998 159 65 39 55 40.88
Millwall 25 September 2000 15 October 2003 163 75 39 49 46.01
Brighton & Hove Albion 28 October 2003 8 September 2006 139 40 38 61 28.78
Motherwell 18 June 2007 12 June 2009 88 35 17 36 39.77
Aberdeen 12 June 2009 1 December 2010 62 17 13 32 27.42
Bristol Rovers 18 January 2012 15 December 2012 45 12 12 21 26.67
Motherwell 13 October 2015 Present 17 5 4 8 29.41
Total 905 343 227 335 37.90

Honours

As a Player

Greenock Morton
1977-78 (second tier)
Aberdeen
1979-80, 1983-84
1982, 1983, 1984
1982-83
1983
Celtic
1985-86, 1987-88
1988, 1989

As a Manager

Promotions

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Mark McGhee Profile". Afc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Caution is the key warns Mark". Evening Times. 14 April 1987. p. 39. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Brits abroad - Mark McGhee". Sky Sports. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  4. 1 2 Paul, Ian (10 August 1987). "Mark McGhee shows his special talent". The Glasgow Herald. p. 12. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  5. ↑ Houston, Bob (21 May 1989). "Glasgow belongs to Celtic". The Observer. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Scottish League Top Goalscorers 1890-91 to 1997-98". MyFootballFacts. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  7. ↑ http://www.toon1892.com/detail_player.php?id=511
  8. ↑ "Mark McGhee". Thewolvessite.co.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  9. ↑ "McGhee joins Sky Blues". BBC Sport. 6 July 2000. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "McGhee leaves Millwall". BBC Sport. 15 October 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  11. ↑ "Brighton boss McGhee leaves club". BBC Sport. 8 September 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  12. ↑ "Dead keen McGhee opens job talks with Bohs". Irish Sun. 27 September 2006. Archived from the original on 6 October 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Hollins and McGhee in Swans race". BBC Sport (BBC). 16 February 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "McGhee named new Motherwell boss". BBC Sport (BBC). 18 June 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "Mark McGhee". www.motherwellfc.co.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  16. ↑ "Well reject Hearts bid for McGhee". BBC Sport (BBC). 23 May 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  17. ↑ Burns, Scott (23 May 2008). "McGhee quits Fir Park to join Hearts". Daily Express. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  18. ↑ "McGhee explains Hearts decision". BBC Sport (BBC). 27 May 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  19. ↑ Moffat, Colin (12 June 2009). "Dons will welcome returning hero". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "Aberdeen 1–5 Sigma Olomouc". BBC Sport. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  21. ↑ "Sigma Olomouc 3–0 Aberdeen (8–1)". BBC Sport. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  22. 1 2 3 McLeod, Liam (1 December 2010). "Mark McGhee - a tale of Pittodrie woe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  23. ↑ "Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee spat at after cup loss". BBC News. 16 February 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "Celtic 9–0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  25. ↑ "Mark McGhee urges Dons to build on win over Hibernian". BBC Sport. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  26. ↑ "McGhee sacked as boss of Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  27. ↑ Murray, Ewan (1 December 2010). "Aberdeen sack Mark McGhee and his managerial team". Guardian (London). Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  28. ↑ Grant, George (2 December 2010). "Mark McGhee out: Billy Stark leads the race to take over as Aberdeen chiefs axe club legend". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "Mark McGhee named Bristol Rovers manager". BBC Sport. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  30. ↑ "Bristol Rovers 7–1 Burton Albion". BBC Sport. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  31. ↑ "Bristol Rovers 5–1 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "Mark McGhee: Struggling Bristol Rovers sack manager". BBC Sport. 15 December 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "Mark McGhee joins Scotland backroom team". Scottish FA. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  34. ↑ "Scotland: Mark McGhee aims to shine alongside Gordon Strachan". BBC Sport (BBC). 21 January 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  35. ↑ "Gordon Strachan attends Scotland Under-21s as wait continues". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  36. ↑ "Motherwell name Mark McGhee as manager for second spell". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.

External links

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