THEY DON’T MAKE THEM LIKE TOMMY ANY MORE
Elite manager motivated players with sense of fun
LARGER-THAN-LIFE former Scotland, Manchester United and Chelsea boss Tommy Docherty was hailed as an “elite manager” and a “visionary” last night – after passing away at 92.
Tributes flooded in after the charismatic midfielder, who played for Scotland at the 1954 and 1958 World Cups, lost his battle with a long illness.
“The Doc” – as he was known to friends, players, colleagues and rivals – passed away peacefully at his home in the north- west of England, surrounded by family yesterday.
The Gorbals-born star played for Celtic, Preston North End, Arsenal and Chelsea in a 15-year career, before turning his hand to management.
And in his 27-years as a gaffer, he held the reigns at 13 clubs, leaving his role as manager of Portuguese giants FC Porto to become Scotland boss.
Former clubs and players were quick to pay their respects to Docherty, who famously denied Liverpool a treble by winning the FA Cup with Man United in 1977. Former Man Utd star Sammy McIlroy said: “He was an unbelievable bloke. He was very witty, always joking, always talking about football.
“It was a great pleasure to be in his company.” Ex-Celtic and Man United midfielder Lou Macari said he was a “larger than life character” and added: “He could make anybody laugh.
“In the dressing room, an hour from kick off, he would entertain you from 2pm to 3pm, and as a result players relaxed.”
Retired striker Tommy Langley said: “He signed me at QPR and Wolves, he was a great manager and motivator but always had a glint in his eye and was full of laughter and mischief.
“They don’t make them like him anymore. God Bless Boss.”
And former Man Utd, Milwall and England winger Gordon Hill said: “What a sad day for me to hear the passing of my old boss Tommy Docherty, The Doc.
“A great manager who knew what style of football to play.
“I cannot express my memories of him, there are too many.
“He stands with the greats as an elite manager.
Docherty spent four-and-a-half years in charge of United, taking them straight back up to the First Division in 1975, following their relegation from the top-flight in 1974.
He also took the club to successive FA Cup finals in 1976 and 1977, lifting the trophy in the latter year to deny arch rivals Liverpool an historic Treble haul.
United played with a swagger under Docherty, who restored the club’s attacking heritage made famous under Sir Matt Busby, reconnecting fans with the club following their shock relegation.
But his time in charge of United came to an abrupt end two months after the 1977 FA Cup win, when he was sacked after embarking on an extra-marital affair with the wife of club physio Laurie Brown.
Docherty would famously remark he was sacked for “falling in love”, as he went on to marry wife Mary, with whom he had two daughters and remained with until his death.
He was never able to get over his exit from United, which destroyed his relationship with the club he still regarded as the biggest in the world.
Docherty once asked for tickets to a United game and received them, along with an invoice for the cost. He never took the tickets, angered by United’s parsimony and lack of loyalty to a former manager. In contrast, every Christmas, he would receive a card and a hamper from Chelsea, despite having left them more than four decades earlier.
Former Chelsea and current Rangers coach Michael Beale said of The Doc, who won the League Cup with Chelsea in 1965: “Sad news on the passing of Tommy Docherty today – a visionary coach who fans of Chelsea will remember with much love for his ‘Docherty’s Diamonds’ team in the 1960s, which led to the breakthrough of many young players.”
After stints as manager of Chelsea, Rotherham United, Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa, Europe came calling.
He became boss of Portuguese giants Porto in 1970 but was headhunted to become Scotland manager.
The SFA said: “Everyone at the Scottish FA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Scotland manager Tommy Docherty.
“Throughout his football career and life, Tommy had a profound impact on the game.
“He played with distinction for Shettleston Juniors, Celtic, Preston North End, Arsenal and Chelsea and earned 25 international caps for Scotland, including two World Cups in 1954 and 1958. Tommy went on to become a successful Scotland manager during an extensive coaching career, winning seven of 12 matches in charge between 1971-72 before joining Manchester United, with whom he won the FA Cup and Second Division title during five years in charge.”
SFA President Rob Petrie added: “Football has lost a tremendous personality in Tommy Docherty.”
Tommy’s family said: “He was a much-loved husband, father and papa and will be terribly missed.”