Martin O'Neill
Encyclopedia
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE
, (born 1 March 1952) 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 Forest, with which he won the European Cup in 1980. He was cap
ped 64 times for the Northern Ireland national football team
, also captaining the side.
O'Neill managed Wycombe Wanderers, Norwich City
, Leicester City
and Celtic
before moving to Aston Villa. He guided Leicester City to the Football League Cup
final three times, in which he was twice victorious, in 1997 and 2000. In his time as Celtic manager between 2000 and 2005, he led the club to three Scottish Premier League
titles and the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville
.
family in Kilrea
in 1952. He was the sixth child and has four brothers and four sisters. He has a strong Gaelic football
background, his father being a founding member of local club Pádraig Pearse's Kilrea
, which is named after an Irish nationalist leader. His brothers Gerry and Leo played for the club as well as being on the Derry senior team
which won the 1958 Ulster Championship
and reached that year's All-Ireland Championship
final. O'Neill played for both Kilrea and Derry at underage level as well. He also played Gaelic football while boarding at St. Columb's College
, Derry
, and later at St. Malachy's College
, Belfast
. While at St. Malachy's, he first came to public attention as a football player with local side Distillery. This breached the Gaelic Athletic Association
prohibition on Gaelic footballers playing "foreign sports". When St. Malachy's reached the 1970 MacRory Cup
final, the Antrim County Board
refused to allow the game go ahead at Casement Park
in Belfast. The colleges involved switched the venue to County Tyrone
to enable him to play. St. Malachy's won the game. The dispute heightened O'Neill's profile.
, O'Neill played for the South Belfast side Rosario. While at Distillery, he won the Irish Cup
in 1971, scoring twice in the final. He also scored against FC Barcelona
in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
in a 3–1 home defeat in September 1971. During this period he was spotted by a scout
for Nottingham Forest
. He signed for Nottingham Forest in 1971, leaving Distillery and quitting his studies in law
at the Queen's University of Belfast
.
O'Neill went on to play an integral role in Forest's golden era. Although they were relegated from the First Division in 1972, the appointment of Brian Clough
as manager in January 1975 was the beginning of a revolution. Under Clough's management, O'Neill helped Forest gain promotion to the top flight in 1977, won the league title
and League Cup
a year later, followed by further League Cup success a year later. He was dropped for Forest's first European Cup
victory in 1979 after failing to fully recover from an injury, but he played in their 1980 victory.
At club level he also played for Norwich City, Manchester City
and Notts County
. O'Neill attempted to make a comeback in 1984 with Chesterfield
, but only played part of a reserve game before being forced off with a knee injury after 20 minutes. This was made in an attempt to get fit for Northern Ireland's 1986 World Cup squad. He joined Fulham
after leaving Chesterfield
, but soon retired in February 1985.
, captaining the side at the 1982 World Cup
in Spain
which reached the quarter-finals and included defeating the host nation
in Valencia
. He played 64 times and scored eight goals for Northern Ireland between 1971 and 1984. He also won the British Home Championship
twice as a player, in 1980 and 1984.
in 1987. This was followed by a brief spell at the helm of Shepshed Charterhouse.
in February 1990. He played in the Martin O'Neill XI side, along with George Best
, in the last match to be played at Loakes Park
. In the 1990-91 season, he took Wycombe to 5th in the Football Conference
. In the 1991-92 season he led Wycombe to 2nd place in the Conference, losing out to Colchester United only on goal difference. The following season, he took Wycombe into the Football League for the very first time. In the 1993–94 season, he took Wycombe to a second successive promotion via the Division 3 playoffs and a 4–2 win over Preston North End took them up into Division 2. In the 1994-95 season, Wycombe narrowly missed out on the Division 2 playsoffs and he left the club on 13 June 1995 to become manager at Norwich City. O'Neill also won the FA Trophy
with Wycombe in 1991 and 1993.
over the potential signing of striker Dean Windass
during his first stint at Hull City
for £750,000.
immediately after leaving Norwich. They won the Football League Cup
under O'Neill in 1997 and 2000, as well as reaching the 1999 final of the competition. They finished ninth in 1997, tenth in 1998 and 1999, and eighth in 2000. The two League Cup triumphs saw them qualify for the UEFA Cup
each time.
to become manager of Celtic, who had finished runners-up to Old Firm
rivals Rangers
in both of their previous seasons; in the season just gone, they had finished 20 points behind the champions.
O'Neill's first Old Firm
game, in late August 2000, ended in a 6–2 victory for Celtic over Rangers, perhaps the first real indication that Celtic were capable of emulating Rangers under O'Neill.
The following Old Firm game at Ibrox saw Celtic fall 5-1, but before long Celtic were ascendant at the top of the SPL
and there seemed little doubt that they would be champions.
In that first season O'Neill's Celtic won the domestic treble, the first time the club had done so since 1969. He was the first Celtic manager to take the team into the revamped Champions League (a feat he managed three times). He guided Celtic to the 2003 UEFA Cup Final
in Seville
, which Celtic lost 3–2 in extra time, to a Porto side coached by José Mourinho
. In his five seasons at Celtic Park, O'Neill won three League titles, three Scottish Cups, and a League Cup. He also oversaw a record 7 consecutive victories in Old Firm derbies, and in season 2003–04 Celtic created a British record of 25 consecutive league victories.
On 25 May 2005, Celtic announced that O'Neill was resigning as manager at the end of the 2004/05 season to care for his wife Geraldine, who had lymphoma
.
O'Neill's last competitive game in charge of Celtic was the Scottish Cup final 1–0 victory over Dundee United
on 28 May 2005, decided by an eleventh minute goal by Alan Thompson. Celtic's record under O'Neill, was winning 213, drawing 29 and losing 40, of 282 games played.
's book 'United We Fall', later confirmed by O'Neill, have shown that he signed a conditional agreement with Ridsdale in January 2003, to leave Celtic and become Leeds United
manager. This deal subsequently fell through on the departure of Ridsdale from Leeds, one of the conditions for the deal, and the failure of Ridsdale to remove Terry Venables
as manager. O'Neill has since hit out at Ridsdale, describing the agreement as 'full of conditions that hadn't been true' and blaming Celtic's failure to offer a new contract as his reason for the deal.
but that is the dream."
Villa had the year's longest unbeaten start of any Premier League side in 2006–07 (9 games), not losing a league game until 28 October. Villa suffered a mid-season slump but recovered late in the season, winning their three away games in April, to end the season how it began with a run of 9 unbeaten fixtures. For this O'Neill scooped the Barclays Manager of the Month for April. Villa's final points tally was 50, an improvement of 8 over the previous season and finished 11th, 5 places higher than the previous season.
Aston Villa's owner Randy Lerner
said that he would not stop O'Neill from leaving Villa if offered the job of England manager, because he respects that it is a very prestigious position. O'Neill later dismissed the reports, calling them "unfair speculation".
Aston Villa just missed out on a UEFA Cup spot on the final day of the 2007–08 season and qualified for the Intertoto Cup
by finishing 6th. They scored 71 goals, (their best ever tally in the Premier League and best tally since winning the title in 1981), gained 60 points which was Villa's highest points tally since the 1996–97 season, and were the third highest goalscorers. After 25 games of the 2008–09 season the club were third in the table on 51 points, 2 points above Chelsea on level games and 7 points above Arsenal in 5th place and on course for a place in the Champions League for the first time since 1983. O'Neill then decided to prioritise Champions League qualification above all else, fielding a virtual reserve side for a UEFA Cup game against CSKA Moscow which was subsequently lost. Following this, Villa failed to win any of the next 10 league games and improving form for Arsenal & Chelsea meant that Villa failed to reach the top 4. Villa eventually finished 6th for the second season running with 62 points, 2 more points than they finished with last season.
At the start of the 2009–10 season Villa failed to qualify for the group stage of the newly named Europa League, but continued their progress in the league with impressive wins against teams such as Manchester United, Chelsea
and Liverpool
. Villa were on the way to reaching an achievement that had long since not been reached, which was to beat all "top 4" clubs, consisting of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. Arsenal defeated Villa 3–0 at Emirates Stadium, and drew home, destroying any hopes Villa had of reaching this achievement.
Once again Villa finished 6th for the 3rd season running, and once again improved their points tally finishing with 64 points; their poor home form (they drew 8 times at home) denied them a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League
.
Aston Villa reached their first final under Martin O'Neill, and first final in 10 years on 28 February 2010 against Manchester United
in the Carling Cup
, but lost 2–1.
Following the departure of Rafael Benitez
from Liverpool
in June 2010, Martin O'Neill was thought to be one of the main candidates for the manager's job at Anfield, Former Fulham
boss Roy Hodgson
was appointed as Benitez's successor.
On 9 August 2010, Martin O'Neill resigned as manager of Aston Villa with immediate effect.
On his departure O'Neill said "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely, It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club." O'Neill was reportedly unhappy about the funds available for transfers, but his departure just five days before the start of the new season still came as a shock to the club and its players. Lerner issued a statement two days later saying he and O'Neill "no longer shared a common view as to how to move forward, but the two remain good friends."
O'Neill was awarded an OBE
for services to sport in 2004. In 2002, Norwich supporters voted him into the club's Hall of Fame.
with their two daughters, Aisling and Alana. Geraldine is a cancer survivor and Martin took some time off in 2005 to nurse her back to health.
He supported Celtic FC and Sunderland AFC as a child.
Distillery
Nottingham Forest
1971–1981
1990–1995
Leicester City
1995–2000
Celtic
2000–2005
Aston Villa 2006–2010
(9): August 2000, December 2000, February 2001, August 2001, April 2002, November 2002, October 2003, November 2003, January 2005, SFWA Manager of the Year
(3): 2000–01
, 2001–02
, 2003–04
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, (born 1 March 1952) is a Northern Irish football manager
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
and former player.
Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham Forest, with which he won the European Cup in 1980. He was cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
ped 64 times for the Northern Ireland national football team
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, also captaining the side.
O'Neill managed Wycombe Wanderers, Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
and Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
before moving to Aston Villa. He guided Leicester City to the Football League Cup
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...
final three times, in which he was twice victorious, in 1997 and 2000. In his time as Celtic manager between 2000 and 2005, he led the club to three Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
titles and the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville
The Bhoys from Seville
The Bhoys from Seville is a nickname used to refer to Celtic F.C.'s team and fans during Celtic's 2002–03 UEFA Cup campaign, which culminated in their defeat in the final in Seville, Spain...
.
Early life and Gaelic football career
O'Neill was born into an Irish nationalistIrish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
family in Kilrea
Kilrea
Kilrea is a village and townland in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is near the River Bann, which marks the boundary between County Londonderry and County Antrim...
in 1952. He was the sixth child and has four brothers and four sisters. He has a strong Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
background, his father being a founding member of local club Pádraig Pearse's Kilrea
Kilrea GAC
Pádraig Pearse's GAC Kilrea is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Kilrea, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for both Gaelic football and Camogie...
, which is named after an Irish nationalist leader. His brothers Gerry and Leo played for the club as well as being on the Derry senior team
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
which won the 1958 Ulster Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
and reached that year's All-Ireland Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
final. O'Neill played for both Kilrea and Derry at underage level as well. He also played Gaelic football while boarding at St. Columb's College
St. Columb's College
St. Columb's College is a Roman Catholic boys' grammar school in Derry, Northern Ireland and, since 2008, a specialist school in Mathematics and Computing...
, Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, and later at St. Malachy's College
St. Malachy's College
St. Malachy's College is the oldest Roman Catholic grammar school in the province of Ulster, and one of the oldest in Ireland.The college was founded in 1833 by Bishop William Crolly, about 50 years after the repeal of the penal laws, which had outlawed, among other things, the celebration of the...
, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. While at St. Malachy's, he first came to public attention as a football player with local side Distillery. This breached the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
prohibition on Gaelic footballers playing "foreign sports". When St. Malachy's reached the 1970 MacRory Cup
MacRory Cup
The MacRory Cup is an inter-college Gaelic football tournament in Ulster. It is staged every year with the stipulation that players must be under eighteen-and-a-half at the start of the tournament...
final, the Antrim County Board
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
refused to allow the game go ahead at Casement Park
Casement Park
Casement Park is the principal Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland, home to the Antrim football and hurling teams...
in Belfast. The colleges involved switched the venue to County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
to enable him to play. St. Malachy's won the game. The dispute heightened O'Neill's profile.
Club career
Before playing for Distillery in the Irish LeagueIFA Premiership
The IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
, O'Neill played for the South Belfast side Rosario. While at Distillery, he won the Irish Cup
Irish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
in 1971, scoring twice in the final. He also scored against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
in a 3–1 home defeat in September 1971. During this period he was spotted by a 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...
for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. He signed for Nottingham Forest in 1971, leaving Distillery and quitting his studies in law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
at the Queen's University of Belfast
Queen's University of Belfast
Queen's University Belfast is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The university's official title, per its charter, is the Queen's University of Belfast. It is often referred to simply as Queen's, or by the abbreviation QUB...
.
O'Neill went on to play an integral role in Forest's golden era. Although they were relegated from the First Division in 1972, the appointment of Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
as manager in January 1975 was the beginning of a revolution. Under Clough's management, O'Neill helped Forest gain promotion to the top flight in 1977, won the league title
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
and League Cup
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...
a year later, followed by further League Cup success a year later. He was dropped for Forest's first European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
victory in 1979 after failing to fully recover from an injury, but he played in their 1980 victory.
At club level he also played for Norwich City, 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...
and Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. O'Neill attempted to make a comeback in 1984 with Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, but only played part of a reserve game before being forced off with a knee injury after 20 minutes. This was made in an attempt to get fit for Northern Ireland's 1986 World Cup squad. He joined 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...
after leaving Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, but soon retired in February 1985.
International career
O'Neill was a regular for Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, captaining the side at the 1982 World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
which reached the quarter-finals and included defeating the host nation
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in Valencia
Valencia (city in Spain)
Valencia or València is the capital and most populous city of the autonomous community of Valencia and the third largest city in Spain, with a population of 809,267 in 2010. It is the 15th-most populous municipality in the European Union...
. He played 64 times and scored eight goals for Northern Ireland between 1971 and 1984. He also won the British Home Championship
British Home Championship
The British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the 1883–84 season until the 1983–84...
twice as a player, in 1980 and 1984.
International goals
Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 March 1973 | Coventry Coventry Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although... |
1–0 | 1–1 | 1974 World Cup qualification 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification A total of 99 teams entered the 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. , as the hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.... |
|
| 2 | 16 May 1973 | Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
1–0 | 2–1 | 1973 British Home Championship 1973 British Home Championship The 1973 British Home Championship international Home Nations football tournament was, like its predecessor in 1972, a victim of The Troubles in Northern Ireland which had erupted following Bloody Sunday the previous year... |
|
| 3 | 30 October 1974 | Stockholm Stockholm Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area... |
2–0 | 2–0 | Euro 1976 qualifying | |
| 4 | 13 May 1978 | Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
1–1 | 1–1 | 1978 British Home Championship 1978 British Home Championship The 1978 British Home Championship football competition between the British Home Nations was won by an England side smarting from their failure to qualify for the 1978 FIFA World Cup. Scotland again refused to travel to Northern Ireland and therefore gained an additional home match... |
|
| 5 | 11 June 1980 | Sydney Sydney Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people... |
2–0 | 2–1 | Friendly match | |
| 6 | 15 June 1980 | Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... |
1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly match | |
| 7 | 30 March 1983 | Belfast Belfast Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly... |
2–0 | 2–1 | Euro 1984 qualifying | |
| 8 | 21 September 1983 | Belfast Belfast Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly... |
3–1 | 3–1 | Euro 1984 qualifying |
Managerial career
After his playing career, O'Neill began a career in football management, initially at Grantham TownGrantham Town F.C.
Grantham Town F.C. is a football club, based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South. They are nicknamed The Gingerbreads and they play their home matches at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium . They were established in August 1874...
in 1987. This was followed by a brief spell at the helm of Shepshed Charterhouse.
Wycombe Wanderers
He became manager of WycombeWycombe 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...
in February 1990. He played in the Martin O'Neill XI side, along with George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
, in the last match to be played at Loakes Park
Loakes Park
Loakes Park was the home of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club from 1895 to 1990. It was located next to Wycombe General Hospital in the centre of High Wycombe, UK...
. In the 1990-91 season, he took Wycombe to 5th in the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
. In the 1991-92 season he led Wycombe to 2nd place in the Conference, losing out to Colchester United only on goal difference. The following season, he took Wycombe into the Football League for the very first time. In the 1993–94 season, he took Wycombe to a second successive promotion via the Division 3 playoffs and a 4–2 win over Preston North End took them up into Division 2. In the 1994-95 season, Wycombe narrowly missed out on the Division 2 playsoffs and he left the club on 13 June 1995 to become manager at Norwich City. O'Neill also won the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
with Wycombe in 1991 and 1993.
Norwich City
He became manager of Norwich City in June 1995, but left the club in December of that year due to differences with club chairman Robert ChaseRobert Chase (businessman)
Robert Chase is a Norwich businessman and the former Chairman of Norwich City FC.-Norwich City career:Chase was elected to the Norwich board in 1982 and became chairman in 1985....
over the potential signing of striker Dean Windass
Dean Windass
Dean Windass is an English footballer, who predominantly played as a striker, and is known for his spells at Bradford City and his hometown team Hull City...
during his first stint at Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
for £750,000.
Leicester City
He joined Leicester CityLeicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
immediately after leaving Norwich. They won the Football League Cup
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...
under O'Neill in 1997 and 2000, as well as reaching the 1999 final of the competition. They finished ninth in 1997, tenth in 1998 and 1999, and eighth in 2000. The two League Cup triumphs saw them qualify for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
each time.
Celtic
O'Neill left Leicester on 1 June 2000, taking over from the team of John Barnes and Kenny DalglishKenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
to become manager of Celtic, who had finished runners-up to Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
rivals Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in both of their previous seasons; in the season just gone, they had finished 20 points behind the champions.
O'Neill's first Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
game, in late August 2000, ended in a 6–2 victory for Celtic over Rangers, perhaps the first real indication that Celtic were capable of emulating Rangers under O'Neill.
The following Old Firm game at Ibrox saw Celtic fall 5-1, but before long Celtic were ascendant at the top of the SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
and there seemed little doubt that they would be champions.
In that first season O'Neill's Celtic won the domestic treble, the first time the club had done so since 1969. He was the first Celtic manager to take the team into the revamped Champions League (a feat he managed three times). He guided Celtic to the 2003 UEFA Cup Final
2003 UEFA Cup Final
The 2003 UEFA Cup Final was played on 21 May 2003 between Celtic of Scotland and Porto of Portugal. Porto won the match 3–2 in extra time thanks to a goal from Derlei...
in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, which Celtic lost 3–2 in extra time, to a Porto side coached by José Mourinho
José Mourinho
José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
. In his five seasons at Celtic Park, O'Neill won three League titles, three Scottish Cups, and a League Cup. He also oversaw a record 7 consecutive victories in Old Firm derbies, and in season 2003–04 Celtic created a British record of 25 consecutive league victories.
On 25 May 2005, Celtic announced that O'Neill was resigning as manager at the end of the 2004/05 season to care for his wife Geraldine, who had lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
.
O'Neill's last competitive game in charge of Celtic was the Scottish Cup final 1–0 victory over Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
on 28 May 2005, decided by an eleventh minute goal by Alan Thompson. Celtic's record under O'Neill, was winning 213, drawing 29 and losing 40, of 282 games played.
Leeds United contract
Revelations in Peter RidsdalePeter Ridsdale
Peter Ridsdale is an English businessman who is currently the Chairman of Football Operations at League Two club Plymouth Argyle. Ridsdale was previously the chairman of Leeds United, Barnsley and Cardiff City.-History:...
's book 'United We Fall', later confirmed by O'Neill, have shown that he signed a conditional agreement with Ridsdale in January 2003, to leave Celtic and become Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
manager. This deal subsequently fell through on the departure of Ridsdale from Leeds, one of the conditions for the deal, and the failure of Ridsdale to remove Terry Venables
Terry Venables
Terence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
as manager. O'Neill has since hit out at Ridsdale, describing the agreement as 'full of conditions that hadn't been true' and blaming Celtic's failure to offer a new contract as his reason for the deal.
Aston Villa
O'Neill was introduced as the Aston Villa manager at a press conference on 4 August 2006. At the press conference he stated "It's absolutely fantastic to be back and with a club such as this. This is a fantastic challenge. I am well aware of the history of this football club. Trying to restore it to its days of former glory seems a long way away – but why not try? It is nearly 25 years since they won the European CupUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
but that is the dream."
Villa had the year's longest unbeaten start of any Premier League side in 2006–07 (9 games), not losing a league game until 28 October. Villa suffered a mid-season slump but recovered late in the season, winning their three away games in April, to end the season how it began with a run of 9 unbeaten fixtures. For this O'Neill scooped the Barclays Manager of the Month for April. Villa's final points tally was 50, an improvement of 8 over the previous season and finished 11th, 5 places higher than the previous season.
Aston Villa's owner Randy Lerner
Randy Lerner
Randolph D. Lerner is an American entrepreneur and sports team owner.Lerner has been the owner of the American football team, the Cleveland Browns, of the National Football League since October 2002, and the Chairman of Aston Villa Football Club of the English Premier League since 2006...
said that he would not stop O'Neill from leaving Villa if offered the job of England manager, because he respects that it is a very prestigious position. O'Neill later dismissed the reports, calling them "unfair speculation".
Aston Villa just missed out on a UEFA Cup spot on the final day of the 2007–08 season and qualified for the Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
by finishing 6th. They scored 71 goals, (their best ever tally in the Premier League and best tally since winning the title in 1981), gained 60 points which was Villa's highest points tally since the 1996–97 season, and were the third highest goalscorers. After 25 games of the 2008–09 season the club were third in the table on 51 points, 2 points above Chelsea on level games and 7 points above Arsenal in 5th place and on course for a place in the Champions League for the first time since 1983. O'Neill then decided to prioritise Champions League qualification above all else, fielding a virtual reserve side for a UEFA Cup game against CSKA Moscow which was subsequently lost. Following this, Villa failed to win any of the next 10 league games and improving form for Arsenal & Chelsea meant that Villa failed to reach the top 4. Villa eventually finished 6th for the second season running with 62 points, 2 more points than they finished with last season.
At the start of the 2009–10 season Villa failed to qualify for the group stage of the newly named Europa League, but continued their progress in the league with impressive wins against teams such as Manchester United, Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and 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...
. Villa were on the way to reaching an achievement that had long since not been reached, which was to beat all "top 4" clubs, consisting of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. Arsenal defeated Villa 3–0 at Emirates Stadium, and drew home, destroying any hopes Villa had of reaching this achievement.
Once again Villa finished 6th for the 3rd season running, and once again improved their points tally finishing with 64 points; their poor home form (they drew 8 times at home) denied them a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Aston Villa reached their first final under Martin O'Neill, and first final in 10 years on 28 February 2010 against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the Carling Cup
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...
, but lost 2–1.
Following the departure of Rafael Benitez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
from 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 June 2010, Martin O'Neill was thought to be one of the main candidates for the manager's job at Anfield, Former 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...
boss Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson is a former English footballer and current head coach of West Bromwich Albion.Hodgson, who has managed sixteen different teams in eight countries, guided the Switzerland national team to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 1996; Switzerland had not qualified...
was appointed as Benitez's successor.
On 9 August 2010, Martin O'Neill resigned as manager of Aston Villa with immediate effect.
On his departure O'Neill said "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely, It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club." O'Neill was reportedly unhappy about the funds available for transfers, but his departure just five days before the start of the new season still came as a shock to the club and its players. Lerner issued a statement two days later saying he and O'Neill "no longer shared a common view as to how to move forward, but the two remain good friends."
Outside football
Despite never completing his degree, O'Neill remains an avid follower of criminology. His fascination began with the James Hanratty case of 1961.O'Neill was awarded an OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for services to sport in 2004. In 2002, Norwich supporters voted him into the club's Hall of Fame.
Personal life
O'Neill and his wife Geraldine live in Sutton ColdfieldSutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield is a suburb of Birmingham, in the West Midlands of England. Sutton is located about from central Birmingham but has borders with Erdington and Kingstanding. Sutton is in the northeast of Birmingham, with a population of 105,000 recorded in the 2001 census...
with their two daughters, Aisling and Alana. Geraldine is a cancer survivor and Martin took some time off in 2005 to nurse her back to health.
He supported Celtic FC and Sunderland AFC as a child.
International
- British Home ChampionshipBritish Home ChampionshipThe British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the 1883–84 season until the 1983–84...
- Champions: 1980, 1984
- Runners-up: 1971, 1973
Club
DistilleryLisburn Distillery F.C.
Lisburn Distillery is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1880, originated in west Belfast, where it was based at Grosvenor Park at Distillery Street off the Grosvenor Road until 1971...
- Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
- Winners: 1971
Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
1971–1981
- Winners
- European Super Cup – 19801980 UEFA Super CupThe 1980 UEFA Super Cup was played between Valencia CF and Nottingham Forest, with Valencia winning on the away goals rule. Forest won the home leg 2-1, with both goals coming from Ian Bowyer. They however lost the second leg 1-0.-First leg:-Second leg:...
- European Cup – 19791979 European Cup FinalThe 1979 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Olympiastadion, Munich, on 30 May 1979, that saw Nottingham Forest of England defeat Malmö FF of Sweden 1–0.-Background:...
, 19801980 European Cup FinalThe 1980 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, on 28 May 1980, that saw Nottingham Forest of England defeat Hamburg of Germany 1–0. In the 21st minute, John Robertson squeezed a shot past Hamburg keeper Rudolf Kargus for the only goal of the game, to... - First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
– 1977–78 - FA Community ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
– 1978 - Football League CupFootball League CupThe 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...
– 1978, 1979 - Anglo-Scottish CupAnglo-Scottish CupThe Anglo-Scottish Cup was a tournament arranged for teams in the English and Scottish football leagues during the summer for several years during the 1970s...
– 1977
- European Super Cup – 1980
- Runners-Up
- European Super Cup – 1981
- Football League Championship – 1978–79
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
– 1980 - Football League Cup – 1980
Managerial
Wycombe WanderersWycombe 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...
1990–1995
- Football Conference – 1993
- FA Trophy – 1991, 1993
- Division 3 Play–Off Winners – 1994
Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
1995–2000
- First Division Play-off Winners – 1995–96
- League Cup – (2) 1997, 2000
- League Cup – 1999
Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
2000–2005
- Winners
- SPL Championship (3) – 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
(3) – 2001, 2004, 2005 - Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
(1) – 2000–01
- Runners-up
- UEFA Cup Runner-Up – 2002–03
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
– 2002 - Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
– 2002–03 - SPL Championship (2) – 2002–03, 2004–05
Aston Villa 2006–2010
- League CupLeague CupIn association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
– 2010
Awards
FA Premier League Manager of the Month (7): September 1997, October 1998, November 1999, April 2007, November 2007, December 2008, April 2010 SPL Manager of the MonthScottish Premier League monthly awards
This article lists the winners of the Manager, Player and Young Player monthly awards in the Scottish Premier League since the2000–01 season. No Young Player of the Month were awarded in the 2000–01 season. Rising Star awards were issued most months in the 2007–08 season.The awards are currently...
(9): August 2000, December 2000, February 2001, August 2001, April 2002, November 2002, October 2003, November 2003, January 2005, SFWA Manager of the Year
SFWA Manager of the Year
The Scottish Football Writers' Association Manager of the Year award is given to the football manager in the top-flight of Scottish football, the Scottish Premier League, whom is seen to have been the best manager of the previous season.The award was first given in 1987, and was won by...
(3): 2000–01
2000-01 in Scottish football
The 2000–01 season was the 104th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, 15 points clear of Rangers who finished second. Both teams earned a place in the UEFA Champions League. Hibernian and Kilmarnock...
, 2001–02
2001-02 in Scottish football
The 2001–02 season was the 105th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Key events:Celtic, domestic treble winners a year earlier, retain their Premier League title....
, 2003–04
2003-04 in Scottish football
The 2003–04 season was the 107th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League season was won by Celtic with 98 points, 17 points ahead of closest challengers Rangers. Both Rangers and Celtic therefore gained the two UEFA...
Manager
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||||
| 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... |
|
7 February 1990 | 13 June 1995 |
Conference Title, 2 FA Trophies, (2 Promotions) | |||||
| Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
|
13 June 1995 | 17 December 1995 |
||||||
| Leicester City Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... |
|
21 December 1995 | 1 June 2000 |
2 League Cups, (Promotion) | |||||
| Celtic Celtic F.C. Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the... |
 |
1 June 2000 | 31 May 2005 |
3 League Titles, 3 Domestic Cups, League Cup | |||||
| Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
|
5 August 2006 | 9 August 2010 |
||||||
| Total |
|||||||||
External links
- Martin O'Neill BBC Sport, 14 May 2002
- Grantham Town profile
- Martin O'Neill Flown From The Nest
- Martin O'Neill - Nottingham Forest FC 1971-1981 football-heroes.net