Before McLeish: Don Revie and six other Brits who chased goals around the globe

Former Rangers and Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was on Tuesday announced as the new head coach of Cairo-based club Zamalek. While many British coaches have travelled around Europe to test their skills in a foreign setting, fewer have ventured halfway around the world in search of glory.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Feb 2016, 12:49 BST
Updated 24th Feb 2016, 12:55 BST
Don Revie at Elland Road in 1968Don Revie at Elland Road in 1968
Don Revie at Elland Road in 1968

Here, James Cann looks at other Britons who have tried their luck as managers in far-flung corners of the globe.

• DON REVIE - United Arab Emirates 1977-80, Al-Nasr 1980-84 and Al-Ahly 1984-85

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While McLeish was busy racking up honours as a centre-back with Aberdeen, former England and Leeds boss Revie was winding down his coaching career with Al-Ahly, Zamalek’s fiercest rivals. The Middlesbrough-born coach had already caused outrage in his homeland by quitting the Three Lions to lead the United Arab Emirates in 1977. Changes he made to the Middle East nation’s footballing set-up are said to have helped the UAE qualify for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Portsmouth Manager Tony Adams in 2009Portsmouth Manager Tony Adams in 2009
Portsmouth Manager Tony Adams in 2009

• TERRY VENABLES - Australia 1996-97

No stranger to an overseas adventure - ‘El Tel’ guided Barcelona to the Spanish title in 1985 - Venables’ experience Down Under was less pleasurable. Under his stewardship the Socceroos dominated the Oceania World Cup qualifiers ahead of the 1998 tournament in France, but failed to conquer Iran in a two-legged play-off, missing out on the summer finals on away goals. Venables remembers the experience fondly, though, saying nothing could “match that excitement”.

• PETER WITHE, PETER REID and BRYAN ROBSON - Thailand 1998-2002, 2008-09 and 2009-11

A trio of former England internationals have enjoyed spells with the Thai national team. European Cup-winning striker Withe moved to Bangkok in 1998 and twice won the AFF Championship before taking control of Indonesia. The former Aston Villa man’s namesake Reid subsequently delivered the VFF Cup in 2008. A year later, the long-serving Sunderland manager’s successor Robson steered Thailand to success in the Phuket Kata Group, before resigning in 2011.

Former England coach Terry VenablesFormer England coach Terry Venables
Former England coach Terry Venables

• TONY ADAMS - Gabala 2010-11

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The tough-tackling former England and Arsenal captain did not enjoy the most prosperous of spells with declining Portsmouth and opted to make a fresh start in Azerbaijan, an oil-rich nation on the fringes of Eastern Europe. He signed a three-year contract with Gabala in May 2010 but lasted only 18 months after failing to secure a top-six finish for The Radar. He would, perhaps surprisingly, return to the club to serve as sporting director in 2012.

• RAY WILKINS - Jordan 2014-15

Eighty-four cap England midfielder Wilkins was looking for a new job after leaving Fulham in February 2014 and seven months later he was offered a route back into football. The offer came from Jordan, who were keen to harness his Premier League coaching experience to reach the AFC Asian Cup. The Chivalrous did make it to Australia but sloped home following defeats to Japan and Iraq. Wilkins had managed to orchestrate a convincing 5-1 victory over Palestine, but he lost his job regardless.

Related topics:Don RevieRangersBirmingham