Paul Hart
Encyclopedia
Paul Hart is an English football manager
and former football defender
, who is currently Academy Director at Charlton Athletic. The son of Johnny Hart
, a football inside forward
and manager, Hart had five-year spells with both Blackpool
and Leeds United
, while also playing for Nottingham Forest
and Sheffield Wednesday
amongst others. He began his management career with Chesterfield
, before managing Nottingham Forest
, Barnsley
, and Rushden & Diamonds
. He was manager of Premier League side Portsmouth
from February to November 2009, and managed Queens Park Rangers
for five games until leaving the club in January 2010, joining Crystal Palace
two months later.
In March 1978, after making 143 league appearances, scoring fifteen goals in the process, Hart left relegation-bound Blackpool for Leeds United
for £300,000, as a replacement for Gordon McQueen
. Hart spent five years at Elland Road
, playing 191 games.
In 1983 Hart signed for Nottingham Forest
to replace Willie Young, where he played 87 games and scored three goals. Hart actually scored in the controversial 1983–84 UEFA Cup
semi-final against Anderlecht
, but the goal was wrongly ruled out for no apparent reason and Anderlecht subsequently admitted having bribed the official. A year later Hart was sold to Sheffield Wednesday
in May 1985.
Hart had further spells at Birmingham City
(breaking his leg in his only game for them) and Notts County
(as player-coach) before retiring from playing in 1988, having made 567 league appearances.
in 1988. Hart spent three years at the Saltergate helm, reaching the playoffs before a fall-out with the chairman and Hart's sacking in 1991, when they were in the Fourth Division.
in 1993 and 1997 and formed the backbone of the Leeds side that reached the Champions League
semi-finals in 2000–01.
over the promise of Jonathan Woodgate
. Forest's Under-19 side became immensely successful winning the Under-19 title in 1999–2000. As the first team were faltering, and the club spiralling further into debt, players such as David Prutton
, now at Colchester United having enjoyed a stint with Leeds United, Jermaine Jenas
(now at Spurs
and a full England international
), Keith Foy
(now at Sligo Rovers
), Chris Doig
, now at Northampton, David Freeman
, Kevin Dawson
, Gareth Williams (a full Scotland international), Richard Cooper
and Gareth Edds
(all teenagers) were blooded, with a further line of players including Barry Roche
(who saved a penalty on his debut as a last minute sub v Crystal Palace
), Andy Reid (who scored on debut as an 18-year-old v Sheffield United
and is now a full Republic of Ireland international), Brian Cash
, Eugen Bopp
, John Thompson (another full Ireland international) and most notably the highly-sought-after and highly-rated central defender Michael Dawson following subsequently.
In the summer of 2001 Hart was appointed manager of Forest, succeeding David Platt, who had left to take charge of the England Under-21 side. Platt's expensive tenure had left the club in crippling debt, and Hart had to cope with loss of several experienced and key players, notably Andy Johnson
, Alan Rogers and Stern John
(and at one point put the whole squad up for sale). Hart's pioneering "diamond formation" was heavily behind this early success. With the financial problems alleviated somewhat, and having the benefit of a settled side, Forest reached the 1st Division play-off semi finals in season 2002–03, losing in extra-time to Sheffield United. Unfortunately, wage demands and poor decisions meant several key players were lost in the summer of 2003, and not replaced. Forest started the subsequent season well, but a run of two wins in Hart's last 22 games, including two months without even a goal (and 14 games without a win) at the end of his tenure. Hart was sacked on 7 February 2004, following a 1–0 defeat at home to Coventry City
.
, but left the club a year later having failing to mount a serious promotion challenge. Promotion was achieved the following year under Hart's successor Andy Ritchie.
, following the departure of Barry Hunter. After an average start to the season, Diamonds embarked on an eight match winless run, leading to Hart leaving the club in October by mutual consent.
. He was asked to take over as caretaker manager
,initially for one game only following the sacking of Tony Adams
on 9 February 2009. Shortly afterwards, Hart brought Brian Kidd
in as his assistant. He won his first game in charge 2–0 at home to Manchester City on 14 February 2009. Hart continued as caretaker manager until the end of the 2008–09 season
, Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie
announcing in March 2009, after a close 1–0 defeat to Chelsea, "(Alexandre Gaydamak
) and I have been delighted with how the team have fared. They both have so much experience in the game and they have the respect of the players. We will review the managerial situation again at the end of the season."
Hart was appointed as permanent manager on a two-year contract on 21 July 2009. In the 2009–10 season. However,Portsmouth, a club in turmoil and on the brink of administration, had the worst ever start by a Premier League team, losing their first seven league games. This run was finally ended on 3 October when Portsmouth recorded a 1–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers
at Molineux
. On 24 November, with only two Premier League wins in 13 games and three points adrift at the bottom of the table, Hart was sacked. He declined the offer of an alternative role as technical director responsible for players aged 18–21, and left the club.
following the exit of Jim Magilton
the previous day. Mick Harford
, previously manager of Luton Town
, was announced as his assistant. Less than a month later, on 15 January 2010, only five games into his QPR career, Hart left the club. Hart's spell at Queens Park Rangers
was nothing short of disastrous, enjoying a solitary win against Bristol City, but coming under fire for his often misguided tactics and player selections. He was replaced as manager by his assistant Mick Harford
, much to the delight of the QPR support.
with Dougie Freedman
as Assistant Manager and John Pemberton
as First Team Coach, after Neil Warnock
left the club to take over at Queens Park Rangers
taking Mick Jones
and Keith Curle
along with him. The Eagles were in administration, and Hart's task was to keep them in The Championship
. This was achieved on Hart's final day in the job. A 2–2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday
saw the hosts relegated instead, after which Hart left the club.
It was announced on 10 June 2010 that Hart was on the shortlist to become the successor to Phil Brown at the recently relegated Hull City
. The job however was given to Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson
.
on 3 March 2011, his new club in the League One relegation zone. He appointed former Notts County boss Ian McParland as his assistant. On 28 April, Hart was sacked after failing to lead Swindon out of the relegation zone. He only won one game in charge, away to Brentford.
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 football defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, who is currently Academy Director at Charlton Athletic. The son of Johnny Hart
Johnny Hart (footballer)
John Paul Hart is an English former football player and manager.Golborne-born Hart played for Manchester City as an inside-forward in 169 Football League matches, between 1947 and 1960, scoring 67 goals...
, a football inside forward
Inside forward
In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
and manager, Hart had five-year spells with both Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
and 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...
, while also playing 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...
and Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
amongst others. He began his management career 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...
, before managing 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...
, Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, and Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
. He was manager of Premier League side Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
from February to November 2009, and managed Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
for five games until leaving the club in January 2010, joining 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...
two months later.
Playing career
He made his Blackpool debut on 22 October 1973, two months after signing for the Seasiders, and only made two more appearances that season. Eventually, though, he established himself as a regular first-teamer and, in 1976–77, when he scored six goals as Blackpool challenged for promotion, he was ever-present.In March 1978, after making 143 league appearances, scoring fifteen goals in the process, Hart left relegation-bound Blackpool for 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...
for £300,000, as a replacement for Gordon McQueen
Gordon McQueen
Gordon McQueen is a former Scottish football player, who played as a central defender for Leeds United, Manchester United and Scotland.-Early career:...
. Hart spent five years at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
, playing 191 games.
In 1983 Hart signed 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...
to replace Willie Young, where he played 87 games and scored three goals. Hart actually scored in the controversial 1983–84 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...
semi-final against Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
, but the goal was wrongly ruled out for no apparent reason and Anderlecht subsequently admitted having bribed the official. A year later Hart was sold to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
in May 1985.
Hart had further spells at Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
(breaking his leg in his only game for them) 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...
(as player-coach) before retiring from playing in 1988, having made 567 league appearances.
Chesterfield
After the spell at Notts County, Hart was appointed manager of ChesterfieldChesterfield 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...
in 1988. Hart spent three years at the Saltergate helm, reaching the playoffs before a fall-out with the chairman and Hart's sacking in 1991, when they were in the Fourth Division.
Leeds United
Hart then moved into youth coaching firstly at Forest then subsequently took charge of Leeds United's fledgling academy. Hart's proteges won the FA Youth CupFA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
in 1993 and 1997 and formed the backbone of the Leeds side that reached the 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...
semi-finals in 2000–01.
Nottingham Forest
Hart then returned to take charge of Nottingham Forest's academy after a high-profile fall-out with Leeds' manager George GrahamGeorge Graham (footballer)
George Graham is a Scottish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his success at Arsenal, as a player in the 1970s and then as manager from 1986 until 1995.-Early life:...
over the promise of Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan Simon Woodgate is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League.Woodgate started his football career at Leeds United where he established himself in the starting eleven. However, Woodgate was sold to Newcastle United for £9 million in January 2003. He impressed...
. Forest's Under-19 side became immensely successful winning the Under-19 title in 1999–2000. As the first team were faltering, and the club spiralling further into debt, players such as David Prutton
David Prutton
David Thomas Michael Prutton is an English footballer, currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday after leaving Swindon Town, having previously played for Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Leeds United, as well as representing England at Under 21 level 25 times.- Nottingham Forest :Prutton was...
, now at Colchester United having enjoyed a stint with Leeds United, Jermaine Jenas
Jermaine Jenas
Jermaine Anthony Jenas is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. He is of mixed African-Caribbean and English descent.-Nottingham Forest:...
(now at Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
and a full England international
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
), Keith Foy
Keith Foy
Keith Foy is an Irish football player.A left footed player, Foy began his career in England with Nottingham Forest in 2000...
(now at Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
), Chris Doig
Chris Doig
Christopher Ross "Chris" Doig , is a Scottish professional Association footballer who plays as a central defender. He currently plays for Pelita Jaya in the Indonesian Super League.-Queen of the South:...
, now at Northampton, David Freeman
David Freeman
David Freeman is the name of:*David Freeman , collector, historian, and authority on old-time and bluegrass music*David Freeman, musician, member of The Flys and The Lover Speaks, writer of "No More I Love You's"...
, Kevin Dawson
Kevin Dawson
Kevin Dawson is an English professional footballer who plays for Stocksbridge Park Steels, as a defender.-Early and personal life:Born in Northallerton, Dawson is the middle brother of fellow footballers Andy and Michael.-Career:...
, Gareth Williams (a full Scotland international), Richard Cooper
Richard Cooper (footballer)
Richard Anthony Cooper is an English footballer. He currently plays for Eastwood Town where he is also assistant manager. He has also played for Nottingham Forest, York City and Alfreton Town.-External links:...
and Gareth Edds
Gareth Edds
Gareth Edds is a football defender or midfielder who plays for A League side North Queensland Fury FC. He was born in Sydney, Australia.-Club career:...
(all teenagers) were blooded, with a further line of players including Barry Roche
Barry Roche
Barry Christopher Roche is a footballer who plays for Morecambe as a goalkeeper. He is a former Irish Under-21 international.-Career:...
(who saved a penalty on his debut as a last minute sub v 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...
), Andy Reid (who scored on debut as an 18-year-old v Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and is now a full Republic of Ireland international), Brian Cash
Brian Cash
Brian Cash Brian Cash Brian Cash (born 24 November 1982 in Dublin is an Irish footballer who last played for Galway United in the League of Ireland.His first club was Nottingham Forest, from where he was loaned to Swansea City and Rochdale. Late in 2004 he joined Bristol Rovers on non-contract terms...
, Eugen Bopp
Eugen Bopp
Eugen Bopp is a Ukrainian-born German footballer, who is currently a free agent.-Early life:He was born in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR but has German nationality. His brother Viktor Bopp is also a footballer.-Nottingham Forest:...
, John Thompson (another full Ireland international) and most notably the highly-sought-after and highly-rated central defender Michael Dawson following subsequently.
In the summer of 2001 Hart was appointed manager of Forest, succeeding David Platt, who had left to take charge of the England Under-21 side. Platt's expensive tenure had left the club in crippling debt, and Hart had to cope with loss of several experienced and key players, notably Andy Johnson
Andy Johnson (Welsh footballer)
Andrew James "Andy" Johnson is an English born Welsh international football midfielder who last played for King's Lynn.-Career:He began his career at Norwich City, before joining Nottingham Forest in 1997 for £2.2m...
, Alan Rogers and Stern John
Stern John
Stern John is a Trinidadian football player currently playing for North East Stars in Trinidad. He played for a number of high profile English football clubs that included Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City and Coventry City.-Early Career in US:John moved to the United States to attend Mercer...
(and at one point put the whole squad up for sale). Hart's pioneering "diamond formation" was heavily behind this early success. With the financial problems alleviated somewhat, and having the benefit of a settled side, Forest reached the 1st Division play-off semi finals in season 2002–03, losing in extra-time to Sheffield United. Unfortunately, wage demands and poor decisions meant several key players were lost in the summer of 2003, and not replaced. Forest started the subsequent season well, but a run of two wins in Hart's last 22 games, including two months without even a goal (and 14 games without a win) at the end of his tenure. Hart was sacked on 7 February 2004, following a 1–0 defeat at home to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
.
Barnsley
Less than a month after being forced out of the City Ground, Hart accepted the offer of the manager's job at Division Two side BarnsleyBarnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, but left the club a year later having failing to mount a serious promotion challenge. Promotion was achieved the following year under Hart's successor Andy Ritchie.
Rushden & Diamonds
In May 2006, Hart took over as manager of Rushden & DiamondsRushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
, following the departure of Barry Hunter. After an average start to the season, Diamonds embarked on an eight match winless run, leading to Hart leaving the club in October by mutual consent.
Portsmouth
On 19 March 2007, Hart was appointed Director of Youth Operations at PortsmouthPortsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. He was asked to take over as caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
,initially for one game only following the sacking of Tony Adams
Tony Adams (footballer)
Tony Alexander Adams, MBE is an English football manager and former player.Adams spent his entire playing career of 22 years as a defender at Arsenal. He is considered one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time by the club's own fans and was included in the Football League 100 Legends...
on 9 February 2009. Shortly afterwards, Hart brought Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd is an English football coach and former player, who is currently Assistant Manager to Roberto Mancini at Manchester City....
in as his assistant. He won his first game in charge 2–0 at home to Manchester City on 14 February 2009. Hart continued as caretaker manager until the end of the 2008–09 season
Premier League 2008–09
The 2008–09 Premier League season was the seventeenth since its establishment in 1992. Manchester United became champions for the eleventh time on the penultimate weekend of the season, defending their crown after winning their tenth Premier League title on the final day of the previous season...
, Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie
Peter Storrie
Peter Storrie was a Director and the Chief Executive Officer of English Premier League team Portsmouth. He had formerly worked for West Ham United, Southend United and Notts County.-West Ham United:...
announcing in March 2009, after a close 1–0 defeat to Chelsea, "(Alexandre Gaydamak
Alexandre Gaydamak
Alexandre "Sacha" Gaydamak is a French businessman of Russian Ashkenazi Jewish descent, and also holds an Israeli passport. A member of the wealthy Gaydamak family, he is the son of Arcadi Gaydamak....
) and I have been delighted with how the team have fared. They both have so much experience in the game and they have the respect of the players. We will review the managerial situation again at the end of the season."
Hart was appointed as permanent manager on a two-year contract on 21 July 2009. In the 2009–10 season. However,Portsmouth, a club in turmoil and on the brink of administration, had the worst ever start by a Premier League team, losing their first seven league games. This run was finally ended on 3 October when Portsmouth recorded a 1–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
. On 24 November, with only two Premier League wins in 13 games and three points adrift at the bottom of the table, Hart was sacked. He declined the offer of an alternative role as technical director responsible for players aged 18–21, and left the club.
Queens Park Rangers
On 17 December 2009 Hart was appointed manager of Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
following the exit of Jim Magilton
Jim Magilton
James "Jim" Magilton is a Northern Irish former footballer and manager, who is currently employed as Football Consultant at Shamrock Rovers F.C. after being appointed on 6 July 2011....
the previous day. Mick Harford
Mick Harford
Michael Gordon "Mick" Harford , is an English former football player turned manager. He is former manager of Rotherham and Luton Town and has also been caretaker manager of Nottingham Forest and QPR...
, previously manager of Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, was announced as his assistant. Less than a month later, on 15 January 2010, only five games into his QPR career, Hart left the club. Hart's spell at Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
was nothing short of disastrous, enjoying a solitary win against Bristol City, but coming under fire for his often misguided tactics and player selections. He was replaced as manager by his assistant Mick Harford
Mick Harford
Michael Gordon "Mick" Harford , is an English former football player turned manager. He is former manager of Rotherham and Luton Town and has also been caretaker manager of Nottingham Forest and QPR...
, much to the delight of the QPR support.
Crystal Palace
On 2 March 2010 Hart was appointed manager of Crystal PalaceCrystal 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...
with Dougie Freedman
Dougie Freedman
Douglas "Dougie" Freedman is a Scottish former professional football player who played as a striker. He is currently manager at Championship club Crystal Palace, where he spent ten of his sixteen years as a player.-Barnet:...
as Assistant Manager and John Pemberton
John Pemberton (footballer)
John Pemberton is an English former footballer who made more than 300 appearances in the Football League and Premier League playing as a defender for Rochdale, Crewe Alexandra, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Leeds United...
as First Team Coach, after Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
left the club to take over at Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
taking Mick Jones
Mick Jones (footballer born 1947)
Michael "Mick" Jones is a former footballer and is a coach who is employed by Queens Park Rangers as assistant manager to Neil Warnock.-Playing career:...
and Keith Curle
Keith Curle
Keith Curle is an English former professional football player, who is currently first team coach at Queens Park Rangers.As a player, he was capped three times by England at senior level.-Playing career:...
along with him. The Eagles were in administration, and Hart's task was to keep them 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...
. This was achieved on Hart's final day in the job. A 2–2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
saw the hosts relegated instead, after which Hart left the club.
It was announced on 10 June 2010 that Hart was on the shortlist to become the successor to Phil Brown at the recently relegated 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...
. The job however was given to Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson
Nigel Pearson
Nigel Graham Pearson is an English football manager and former professional player. He is currently in his second spell as manager of Leicester City, having previously managed Hull City, Southampton and Carlisle United, and been assistant manager for England Under-21s and Newcastle United...
.
Swindon Town
He was appointed manager of Swindon TownSwindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
on 3 March 2011, his new club in the League One relegation zone. He appointed former Notts County boss Ian McParland as his assistant. On 28 April, Hart was sacked after failing to lead Swindon out of the relegation zone. He only won one game in charge, away to Brentford.
Manager
| Team | Nation | From | 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... | 2 November 1988 | 1 January 1991 |
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| 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... |
12 July 2001 | 7 February 2004 |
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| Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
4 March 2004 | 4 March 2005 |
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| Rushden & Diamonds Rushden & Diamonds F.C. Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of... |
23 May 2006 | 16 October 2006 |
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| Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
9 February 2009 | 24 November 2009 |
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| Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
17 December 2009 | 15 January 2010 |
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| 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... |
2 March 2010 | 2 May 2010 |
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| Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
3 March 2011 | 28 April 2011 |
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| Total |
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