Alan Smith (manager)
Encyclopedia
Alan Smith is an English former football 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 since his dismissal from Palace in April 2001, though 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 sees Smith take a behind-the-scenes role, rather than being involved on the training pitch or in the dressing room.
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.
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
who began his coaching career as Steve Coppell
Steve Coppell
Stephen James "Steve" Coppell is an English former footballer and manager, currently without a club.As a player, he was a highly regarded right winger known for his speed and work rate. He won domestic honours with Manchester United and represented England at the World Cup...
's assistant at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
. 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
Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park is an English football stadium located in the London suburb of South Norwood in the Borough of Croydon. It is the current home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club. Its present capacity is 26,309.-History:...
, 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
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
to succeed Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
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
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
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
Simon Jordan
Simon Jordan is an English businessman who made his fortune in the mobile phone industry. In 2000 he purchased Crystal Palace Football Club and remained chairman of the club until they entered administration in early 2010....
.
Palace reached the 2000–01 Worthington
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
semi finals, but Smith was sacked in April with relegation looking imminent. Survival was achieved against all odds by caretaker manager Steve Kember
Steve Kember
Stephen Dennis "Steve" Kember is a former footballer who played in the centre of midfield during his career, before going into management...
.
Smith was not employed in football for eight years since his dismissal from Palace in April 2001, though worked as an agent with one of his clients manager Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman (footballer)
Christopher "Chris" Coleman is a Welsh football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Greek Side Larissa....
.
Smith joined Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
as a football consultant in July 2009. He joined the club to help Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate in Crawley, West Sussex is a retired English footballer and ex-manager. He is known as the "Penalty Misser of '96." He served as manager of Middlesbrough from June 2006, until he was dismissed in October 2009...
, 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 sees Smith take a behind-the-scenes role, rather than being involved on the training pitch or in the dressing room.
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.
External links
- Managerial record at soccerbase.com