Russell Slade
Encyclopedia
Russell Slade is an English
football manager
currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.
at Notts County
, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall
as manager in January 1995, Slade stayed on as his assistant. However both were sacked in April of the same year, and the club were eventually relegated as the bottom club in Division One.
. Before having two separate spells as caretaker manager at Sheffield United
.
. When he arrived in November 2001 the club were adrift at the bottom of the Conference and looking doomed. His first match in charge resulted in a home win over Farnborough Town
but the next three games yielded just one point. However a remarkable run of 39 points from the final 19 games of the season meant Scarborough finished 12th. He was hailed as a hero by the fans and his stock rose when taking the team to 4th position by Christmas in the 2002–03 season
. In January 2003, two days after the club went into administration, Slade tendered his resignation. The fans presented a tearful Slade with a petition at the next game and on the Monday morning he changed his mind. But six straight defeats followed and the play-off dream faded, Scarborough eventually finishing in a creditable 7th place.
The following season saw mixed league performances, but a tremendous FA Cup
run which saw victories over Hinckley United, Doncaster Rovers
, Port Vale
, and finally Southend United
following a replay, meant a glamorous home tie in front of Premier League Chelsea
. Despite losing 1–0 Slade's side had put up a tremendous battle.
Grimsby Town
decided not to renew the contract of manager Nicky Law following relegation into League Two
. Slade was appointed as their new manager. A midtable finish ensued in the 2004–05 season
but despite some disgruntled fans calling for his head, Grimsby spent most of the 2005–06 season
in an automatic promotion spot in League Two, also managing to topple both Derby County
and Tottenham Hotspur
in the Football League Cup
. Town eventually finished the season in 4th place and had to settle for the playoffs, following a late Northampton Town
equalizer meant that Leyton Orient
would finish the season in the final automatic promotion places. Despite guiding his team to a semi-final victory over local rivals Lincoln City
, Slade was unable to secure promotion, Grimsby losing 1–0 in the final against Cheltenham Town
in the Millennium Stadium
.
Three days after their defeat, it was announced in a joint statement that Slade had left his post. The statement cited "a failure to reach a contractual agreement" as the reason for his departure.
side Yeovil Town
, and within a few days Slade was appointed as the Somerset
club's new manager. Slade led Yeovil to a surprise 5th place finish play-off finish in the league, where they defeated favourites Nottingham Forest
to reach the play-off final. However, Yeovil lost the final against Blackpool
2–0. Slade's successful first season at Yeovil saw him win the League One manager of the year award, and he was targeted by League One rivals Carlisle United
and Millwall
for their managerial positions but this interest was rejected by Yeovil chairman John Fry.
Slade left his post at Yeovil on 16 February 2009, despite having won four consecutive matches immediately prior to this. Slade had become frustrated with the club's lack of ambition, although the club chairman John Fry had previously stated that changes would be needed due to the current economic climate. On 20 March 2009, John Fry issued a statement informing fans that Slade was terminated from his duties due to an allegation of gross misconduct from November 2008, and following a period of disciplinary processes he was sacked with immediate effect. The following day, in associating with the League Managers Association
, Slade refuted the claims by Yeovil as "seriously inaccurate" and added that the matter would have to be dealt with by the LMA's legal team.
until the end of the season, and succeeded in ensuring they avoided relegation from League One
. On 4 May 2009, Slade signed a further two-year contract at Brighton. However, after a poor start to the 2009/10 season, Slade was sacked as Brighton and Hove Albion manager on 1 November 2009.
Slade applied for the vacant managerial position at former club Grimsby Town
in November 2009, but was overlooked in favour of youth team manager Neil Woods
despite failing to win during his spell as caretaker manager.
on 5 April 2010, six matches before the end of their season and with the club very much in danger of being relegated from League One. After successfully guiding them to picking up 10 points out of 18 in matches, thus avoiding relegation by a single point, Slade was rewarded on 14 May 2010 with a new two year contract.
The following season he guided Orient to seventh place finishing just one point outside the play-off places , also achieving great success in the FA cup culminating in a fifth round replay at Arsenal.Later that season Orient chairman Barry hearn rejected an approach from Barnsley football club for Slade.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football manager
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:...
currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.
Notts County
Slade was assistant manager to Mick WalkerMick Walker
Mick Walker was an English football manager. He was manager of Notts County, succeeding Neil Warnock in January 1993. He was fired in September 1994.-References:...
at 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...
, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall is an English football manager and former player. He is most famous for his connection to Everton, a club that he both played for and managed. His uncle Harry Taylor played for Newcastle United and Fulham in the 1950s....
as manager in January 1995, Slade stayed on as his assistant. However both were sacked in April of the same year, and the club were eventually relegated as the bottom club in Division One.
Sheffield United
Slade was then appointed manager of Midland Alliance side ArmitageArmitage 90 F.C.
Armitage 90 F.C. was an English association football club. They played at Kings Bromley Lane. The club competed variously in the Staffordshire Senior League, Midland Football Combination, Southern League, and Midland Football Alliance between 1990 and 1996, when the club folded. The club also...
. Before having two separate spells as caretaker manager at 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...
.
Scarborough
Slade's first permanent managerial post was at Nationwide Conference side ScarboroughScarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
. When he arrived in November 2001 the club were adrift at the bottom of the Conference and looking doomed. His first match in charge resulted in a home win over Farnborough Town
Farnborough Town F.C.
Farnborough Football Club is an English football team currently in the Conference South after finishing top of Southern League Premier Division in 2009–10. Their home ground is known as the Rushmoor Stadium, formerly Cherrywood Road, based in Farnborough, Hampshire...
but the next three games yielded just one point. However a remarkable run of 39 points from the final 19 games of the season meant Scarborough finished 12th. He was hailed as a hero by the fans and his stock rose when taking the team to 4th position by Christmas in the 2002–03 season
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
. In January 2003, two days after the club went into administration, Slade tendered his resignation. The fans presented a tearful Slade with a petition at the next game and on the Monday morning he changed his mind. But six straight defeats followed and the play-off dream faded, Scarborough eventually finishing in a creditable 7th place.
The following season saw mixed league performances, but a tremendous FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
run which saw victories over Hinckley United, Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, and finally Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
following a replay, meant a glamorous home tie in front of Premier League 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...
. Despite losing 1–0 Slade's side had put up a tremendous battle.
Grimsby Town
At the end of the 2003–04 season2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
decided not to renew the contract of manager Nicky Law following relegation into League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. Slade was appointed as their new manager. A midtable finish ensued in the 2004–05 season
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
but despite some disgruntled fans calling for his head, Grimsby spent most of the 2005–06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
in an automatic promotion spot in League Two, also managing to topple both Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and Tottenham Hotspur
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....
in 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...
. Town eventually finished the season in 4th place and had to settle for the playoffs, following a late Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
equalizer meant that Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
would finish the season in the final automatic promotion places. Despite guiding his team to a semi-final victory over local rivals Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, Slade was unable to secure promotion, Grimsby losing 1–0 in the final against Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
in the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
.
Three days after their defeat, it was announced in a joint statement that Slade had left his post. The statement cited "a failure to reach a contractual agreement" as the reason for his departure.
Yeovil Town
Slade's success with Grimsby had attracted League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
, and within a few days Slade was appointed as the Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
club's new manager. Slade led Yeovil to a surprise 5th place finish play-off finish in the league, where they defeated favourites 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 reach the play-off final. However, Yeovil lost the final against 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...
2–0. Slade's successful first season at Yeovil saw him win the League One manager of the year award, and he was targeted by League One rivals Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
and Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
for their managerial positions but this interest was rejected by Yeovil chairman John Fry.
Slade left his post at Yeovil on 16 February 2009, despite having won four consecutive matches immediately prior to this. Slade had become frustrated with the club's lack of ambition, although the club chairman John Fry had previously stated that changes would be needed due to the current economic climate. On 20 March 2009, John Fry issued a statement informing fans that Slade was terminated from his duties due to an allegation of gross misconduct from November 2008, and following a period of disciplinary processes he was sacked with immediate effect. The following day, in associating with the League Managers Association
League Managers Association
The League Managers Association is the organisation which collectively represents all Premiership and Football League managers in English football...
, Slade refuted the claims by Yeovil as "seriously inaccurate" and added that the matter would have to be dealt with by the LMA's legal team.
Brighton & Hove Albion
On 6 March 2009, Slade was appointed manager of Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
until the end of the season, and succeeded in ensuring they avoided relegation from League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. On 4 May 2009, Slade signed a further two-year contract at Brighton. However, after a poor start to the 2009/10 season, Slade was sacked as Brighton and Hove Albion manager on 1 November 2009.
Slade applied for the vacant managerial position at former club Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in November 2009, but was overlooked in favour of youth team manager Neil Woods
Neil Woods
Neil Stephen Woods is a former English footballer who played as a striker and former manager of Grimsby Town where he also played between 1990 and 1998. He now works as the Head of Youth at Football League One side Walsall...
despite failing to win during his spell as caretaker manager.
Leyton Orient
Slade was appointed manager of Leyton OrientLeyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
on 5 April 2010, six matches before the end of their season and with the club very much in danger of being relegated from League One. After successfully guiding them to picking up 10 points out of 18 in matches, thus avoiding relegation by a single point, Slade was rewarded on 14 May 2010 with a new two year contract.
The following season he guided Orient to seventh place finishing just one point outside the play-off places , also achieving great success in the FA cup culminating in a fifth round replay at Arsenal.Later that season Orient chairman Barry hearn rejected an approach from Barnsley football club for Slade.
Managerial statistics
- As of 26 November 2011.
Team Nat From To Record G W L D Win % 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...
(caretaker)15 September 1994 12 January 1995 23 6 12 5 26.1 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...
(caretaker)2 March 1998 9 March 1998 2 0 1 1 00.0 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...
(caretaker)23 November 1999 2 December 1999 2 0 1 1 00.0 Scarborough Scarborough F.C.Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...15 November 2001 28 May 2004 133 50 42 41 37.6 Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C.Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...28 May 2004 31 May 2006 105 41 34 30 39.1 Yeovil Town Yeovil Town F.C.Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...7 June 2006 16 February 2009 137 49 56 32 35.8 Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....6 March 2009 1 November 2009 32 9 16 7 28.12 Leyton Orient Leyton Orient F.C.Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...5 April 2010 Present 88 34 27 27 38.64
As a Manager
- 2006–07: League One Manager of The Year Winner – Yeovil TownYeovil Town F.C.Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
External links
- Profile on the League Managers Association website