success stories of other top player-managers

Glenn Hoddle - Swindon and Chelsea

One of the most gifted midfielders in the history of English football, Hoddle showed he could both play and manage at two clubs.

At Swindon, he scored the first goal in the 4-3 Division One play-off final win at Wembley that took them to the Premier League. He swiftly joined Chelsea where he played 31 times across two seasons and saw his side runners-up in the 1994 FA Cup before he retired in ’95.

Kenny Dalglish - Liverpool

Won the league and FA Cup double in his first season as a player-manager when he took over from Joe Fagan in 1985. While he didn’t play every week, he did start in the cup final win against Everton. Continued to play less as the years went on but did land another title before hanging up his boots in 1990 having played for the Reds aged 39. No wonder they call him King Kenny.

Dennis Wise - Millwall

Took the London club to the 2004 FA Cup final – the first side outside England’s top flight since 1992 – where they lost 3-0 to Manchester United.

It booked the Championship outfit a place in Europe, however, as Wise started himself in midfield.

After leaving The Den in 2005, he continued playing at Southampton and then Coventry City before going into management again at Swindon Town and Leeds United.

Andy Hessenthaler - Gillingham and Dover Ath

Recently returned to Dover, Hessenthaler has long hung up the boots but he enjoyed good success when he combined both roles.

Took over Gills following Peter Taylor’s departure to Leicester City and even made the Football League Team of the Year in his first season.

At Dover he played regularly to help the Whites to the Isthmian South title and then the Isthmian Premier championship a season later. Retired at 44.

ANDY MORRELL - WREXHAM AND TAMWORTH

Took the reins at Wrexham when Dean Saunders left and soon got the player-manager job on a permanent basis.

The Welsh club reached the FA Cup third round under Morrell, finished runners-up in the Conference to Fleetwood Town and won the FA Trophy at Wembley.

Later was in charge of Tamworth in the National League North where he also played regularly.