Brian McDermott (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Brian James McDermott is an English football manager
and former player.
He joined Arsenal
as an apprentice in 1977 and went on to play for Fulham
, IFK Norrköping
, Oxford United
, Huddersfield Town
, Cardiff City
, Exeter City
and Yeovil Town
in a 14-year playing career during the 1980s and 1990s. At IFK Norrköping he was named Sweden
's Player of the Year in 1984.
He is currently the manager of Reading
. In his first season he led Reading into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup
for the first time in 83 years, a run that included knocking out Liverpool
at Anfield
. The following season he repeated the feat, this time with an away win over Liverpool's city rivals Everton
.
, Berkshire
, to Irish parents. His father hails from Co. Sligo and his mother comes from Co. Clare. McDermott joined Arsenal
as an apprentice in January 1977, signing professional
forms with the club in February 1979. He was a regular in Arsenal's reserve team, finishing as top scorer in the London Combination in 1978–79, before making his debut as a substitute against Bristol City
on 10 March 1979. He did not properly break into the Arsenal first team until the 1980–81 season, notching 45 appearances (14 as sub) in all competitions in that season and 1981–82.
Unable to match his goalscoring rate at the top level, he featured much less in the 1982–83 and 1983–84 seasons and was loaned out twice by the Gunners: once to Fulham
in 1983 and then to IFK Norrköping
between April and October 1984, where he was named Sweden's Player of the Year. McDermott secured a permanent move to Oxford United
in December 1984, having made 72 appearances (44 starts, 28 as sub) for Arsenal, scoring 13 goals.
McDermott's later career included a loan spell at Huddersfield Town
, before stints at Cardiff City
, Exeter City
and Yeovil Town
.
and Woking
, McDermott joined Reading
as Chief Scout
in September 2000, taking over from the late Maurice Evans
. McDermott also became the under-19s and reserve team manager, before taking over as caretaker first team manager following the departure of Brendan Rodgers
on 17 December 2009.
McDermott's first game in charge was a 1–1 draw at Bristol City with Simon Church
grabbing a 90th minute equaliser for the Royals.
On January 2, 2010 McDermott's Reading took on Premier League side Liverpool
in the FA Cup
third round, taking the lead through Simon Church before Steven Gerrard
equalised for Liverpool. The game ended in a 1–1 draw, earning the Royals a replay at Anfield on 13 January, during which Reading came from 1–0 down to win 2–1 after extra time thanks to a penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson in stoppage time after 90 minutes and a header in extra time from Shane Long
. This was McDermott's first victory in charge of Reading and the first ever for the club at Anfield.
The Royals went on to beat Premier League side Burnley
1–0 thanks to a late strike from Gylfi Sigurðsson
to secure a place in the FA Cup fifth round.
On 27 January 2010 McDermott signed a 12-month rolling contract to become Reading's full-time manager. After that he led the Royals on a four-match winning streak in the league and into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 83 years after a 3–2 win over West Bromwich Albion
. McDermott was nominated for Manager of the Month for February and won it in March.
McDermott oversaw another exciting FA Cup run in 2010-11, with victories over Premier League clubs West Brom
and Everton
before narrowly losing to eventual FA Cup winners Manchester City
. In the Championship
, the Royals recovered from a poor start to finish in 5th
and secure a place in the Play-Offs
. After a goalless first leg at the Madejski, Shane Long
scored twice in a 3-0 win at Cardiff to give Reading a trip to Wembley
for the Play-Off Final, where his team lost 4-2 to Swansea City, managed by his old colleague, Brendan Rodgers.
.
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:...
and former player.
He joined Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
as an apprentice in 1977 and went on to play for 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...
, IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
, Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
and Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
in a 14-year playing career during the 1980s and 1990s. At IFK Norrköping he was named Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
's Player of the Year in 1984.
He is currently the manager of Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
. In his first season he led Reading into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
for the first time in 83 years, a run that included knocking out Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. The following season he repeated the feat, this time with an away win over Liverpool's city rivals Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
.
Playing career
Born in SloughSlough
Slough is a borough and unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Royal Berkshire, England. The town straddles the A4 Bath Road and the Great Western Main Line, west of central London...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, to Irish parents. His father hails from Co. Sligo and his mother comes from Co. Clare. McDermott joined Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
as an apprentice in January 1977, signing professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
forms with the club in February 1979. He was a regular in Arsenal's reserve team, finishing as top scorer in the London Combination in 1978–79, before making his debut as a substitute against Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
on 10 March 1979. He did not properly break into the Arsenal first team until the 1980–81 season, notching 45 appearances (14 as sub) in all competitions in that season and 1981–82.
Unable to match his goalscoring rate at the top level, he featured much less in the 1982–83 and 1983–84 seasons and was loaned out twice by the Gunners: once to 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...
in 1983 and then to IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
between April and October 1984, where he was named Sweden's Player of the Year. McDermott secured a permanent move to Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
in December 1984, having made 72 appearances (44 starts, 28 as sub) for Arsenal, scoring 13 goals.
McDermott's later career included a loan spell at Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, before stints at Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
and Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
.
Coaching and managerial career
After management positions at Slough TownSlough Town F.C.
Slough Town F.C. is an English semi-professional football club. The club was officially founded in 1890 after the amalgamation of three local clubs, Swifts, Slough Albion and Young Men's Friendly Society, who between them forged a new club, Slough F.C....
and Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
, McDermott joined Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
as Chief Scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
in September 2000, taking over from the late Maurice Evans
Maurice Evans (footballer)
Maurice George Evans was a football player with Reading Football Club, and later manager of Shrewsbury, Reading and Oxford United....
. McDermott also became the under-19s and reserve team manager, before taking over as caretaker first team manager following the departure of Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers is a Northern Irish former footballer, who is currently the manager of Swansea City.After retiring as a footballer at the age of 20, Rodgers stayed at Reading and was appointed as youth team coach. He joined Chelsea, under the leadership of José Mourinho, as youth team manager in...
on 17 December 2009.
McDermott's first game in charge was a 1–1 draw at Bristol City with Simon Church
Simon Church
Simon Richard Church is a Wales international footballer who plays for Football League Championship club Reading as a striker.-Club:Church was spotted as a youngster while playing at a youth tournament and joined hometown club Wycombe Wanderers Centre of Excellence as a nine-year-old upon...
grabbing a 90th minute equaliser for the Royals.
On January 2, 2010 McDermott's Reading took on Premier League side Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third round, taking the lead through Simon Church before Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
equalised for Liverpool. The game ended in a 1–1 draw, earning the Royals a replay at Anfield on 13 January, during which Reading came from 1–0 down to win 2–1 after extra time thanks to a penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson in stoppage time after 90 minutes and a header in extra time from Shane Long
Shane Long
Shane Patrick Long is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was part of the team that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.Long began his career at Cork City...
. This was McDermott's first victory in charge of Reading and the first ever for the club at Anfield.
The Royals went on to beat Premier League side Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
1–0 thanks to a late strike from Gylfi Sigurðsson
Gylfi Sigurðsson
Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson is an Icelandic footballer who plays for 1899 Hoffenheim as a midfielder. He is a specialist on set-pieces and possesses great long-range shooting ability.-Reading:...
to secure a place in the FA Cup fifth round.
On 27 January 2010 McDermott signed a 12-month rolling contract to become Reading's full-time manager. After that he led the Royals on a four-match winning streak in the league and into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 83 years after a 3–2 win over West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
. McDermott was nominated for Manager of the Month for February and won it in March.
McDermott oversaw another exciting FA Cup run in 2010-11, with victories over Premier League clubs West Brom
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
and Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
before narrowly losing to eventual FA Cup winners Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. In the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
, the Royals recovered from a poor start to finish in 5th
2010–11 Football League Championship
The 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
and secure a place in the Play-Offs
2011 Football League play-offs
The Football League play-offs for the 2010–11 season were held in May 2011. The Championship final took place at Wembley Stadium in London, but the League One and Two finals were held at Old Trafford in Manchester, due to a clash with the UEFA Champions League Final.The play-off semi-finals were...
. After a goalless first leg at the Madejski, Shane Long
Shane Long
Shane Patrick Long is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was part of the team that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.Long began his career at Cork City...
scored twice in a 3-0 win at Cardiff to give Reading a trip to Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
for the Play-Off Final, where his team lost 4-2 to Swansea City, managed by his old colleague, Brendan Rodgers.
Personal life
McDermott currently lives with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters Lianne and Emily in BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
.
Managerial statistics
- As of 29 November 2011.
| Team | Nation | From | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... | 17 December 2009 | Present |
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