Much has been written of Alex McLeish recently, but what do we actually know of our new manager? His recent press has seen him vilified across both sides of the Second-City divide and with the dust just settling on his move to Villa Park, here is a profile of our new boss’s career to date, both as a player and a manager. I will also take a peak forward to glimpse what I think we can expect from McLeish as a manager.
Playing Career: Glory Days in Aberdeen
Almost exclusively a one-club player, Alex McLeish was one half of a rock-solid defensive partnership with Willie Miller, the foundation on which the glorious Aberdeen team of the ’80s was built. Under Alex Ferguson’s guidance, McLeish learned his craft as a young defender, and in a 16-year period with the club he won three Scottish League titles, five Scottish Cups, two Scottish League Cups, and a European Super Cup. However, the highlight was undoubtedly the stunning 2-1 European Cup Winners Cup win over Real Madrid in Gothenburg. McLeish turned out for a total of 493 appearances scoring 25 goals and is remembered as a tough, rugged centre-half who worked hard at his game, winning Scottish Player of the Year in 1990. McLeish’s obvious leadership qualities saw him captain Aberdeen in the post-Willie Miller period as a vocal and strong leader. McLeish ended his playing days at Motherwell.
Scotland
McLeish was also a leading figure during a period where Scotland as a national side were going through a golden period, and was involved in qualification for three World Cups—playing in Spain ’82, Mexico ’86, and Italia ’90. In total, McLeish was capped 77 times in a 13-year period.
Managerial Career: Motherwell and Hibs
McLeish made his managerial debut at Motherwell, which he joined as player-manager in 1994. In his first season he led this most unfashionable of clubs to an unexpected runner-up finish. Following such over-achievement, Motherwell then found their place again and fought the next two years battling relegation before McLeish resigned to take charge of Edinburgh-based Hibs.
The move to the capital city was a bold move for some as Hibs were already doomed to relegation and the relative obscurity of Scottish League Division 1. His remit was instant promotion, and McLeish delivered as Hibs were promoted as runaway champions. McLeish then secured Hibs’ place over the next few years, finishing a very creditable third in his final year with the club in addition to a runner-up spot in the Scottish Cup. Interestingly his side, while hard working as you might expect, also featured some eye-catching flair signings such as Franck Sauzee and Russell Latapy.
Rhapsody in Blue: Rangers and Scotland
Following Hibs’ third-place finish, McLeish received an offer to manage Rangers, and led them to both the Scottish cups in his first season. This was surpassed the following year when he led Rangers to the treble. However, the next season was something of a disaster as Rangers ended without a trophy as they faced financial problems, which resulted in their expensively assembled squad being broken apart to pay club debts. The following season McLeish led Rangers through the Champions League group stage. It was announced that McLeish would be departing Rangers that summer following a hammering by his former club Hibs. His time with Rangers is also testament to his comfort with signing players outside of the UK.
McLeish spent one year in charge of the Scottish national team, overseeing a famous victory against France in Paris. However, it did not prove enough, and Scotland failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championships despite recording seven wins in his 10-game tenure. Having stated he would not take over another Scottish club, his next move was south to our bitterest rival, Birmingham.
Birmingham City
With Birmingham languishing, his introduction to English football was too late to salvage the club and they were relegated despite improved performances and some eye-catching signings such as Mauro Zarate. The following season McLeish finished as runner-up in the Championship resulting in promotion at the first attempt. The following season, Birmingham finished with a 50-year high of ninth in the Premier League having recorded a club-record 12-game top-flight unbeaten run. Last season promised much more than it delivered for Blues, but despite a Carling Cup triumph against all odds, the club were relegated following an abject run of form.
Aston Villa and the Future
Under Alex McLeish, Villa will see a steely determination and fight underpinned by his acceptance of the Villa job in the face of vociferous opposition. His club sides have all featured a strong base at the back, but McLeish shows promise by his past purchases of flair players and foreign exports. McLeish’s Aston Villa will be a hard-working team and you sense that he will will mirror this overall expectation in his own duties—leading training as a tracksuit manager, rolling his sleeves up and getting stuck-in.
It is imperative, given the circumstances surrounding his arrival, that he hits the ground running and gets off to a promising start.
In front of the cameras, McLeish has been a pundit and you sense a no-nonsense man who will not suffer fools. He talked at his press conference of being something of an anorak and, having been mentored for years by Alex Ferguson, I sense a man who knows the business. Another encouraging point from the press conference was his sensibility and understanding of the state of the game. If times do call for a little prudence and realism in a spiraling transfer market, then why not encourage the youth and reserve teams to produce? He alluded to our underage and reserve teams frequently and in doing this we are not only securing tomorrow, but, more important, our future for years to come
This current claret (and blue) may not be of an ’82 vintage, but given time to age and breathe under McLeish, the initial bitterness over his appointment may yet leave fans with a sweet taste in their mouths.
The Author
