In his playing days Ally MacLeod was a noted left winger who played for Third Lanark, St Mirren, Blackburn Rovers and Hibernian. It was his managerial skills that brought him more acclaim in his career. Starting off at Somerset Park with Ayr United a period of success there was the perfect platform to move onto Pittodrie with Aberdeen. Even greater success with the Dons put him in the frame for the Scotland job. In what should have been a dream job turned into disaster for MacLeod as he led his country in the World Cup in 1978 in Argentina with high hopes but it turned out to be somewhat a traumatic experience. Soon thereafter he would return to his old job at Ayr Utd.
Following Rodger Hynd’s departure, assistant manager John Haggart took temporary charge of Motherwell until the next manager was appointed, Ally Macleod was appointed in December 1978. The board had decided he was the man to lead the club forward. The team he inherited from Hynd seemed doomed to relegation and MacLeod set about wholesale changes, putting the entire first team squad up for transfer and throwing youngsters into the mix as it was obvious huge change was needed around the club.
Despite being favourites for a quick return to the Premier League Motherwell fell short in 1979-1980 and 1980-1981. Five straight League Cup defeats saw MacLeod depart as he couldn’t find the right blend to bring the club back to the Premier League. He would later manage Airdrieonians and have a third spell at Ayr United. Queen of the South was his last managerial post where, at the age of 61, he scored a penalty when playing for their reserve team. He died in 2004, aged 72 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Name: | Alistair Reid MacLeod |
Date of Birth: | 26th February 1931 |
Place of Birth: | Glasgow |
Playing Position: | Left Wing |
Nationality: | Scottish |
Management Career:
Ayr United | 1966 | 1975 | |
Aberdeen | 1975 | 1977 | |
Scotland | 1977 | 1978 | |
Ayr United | 1978 | ||
Motherwell | 1979 | 1981 | |
Airdrieonians | 1984 | 1985 | |
Ayr United | 1986 | 1989 | |
Queen of the South | 1991 | 1992 |
Playing Career:
Third Lanark | 1949 | 1955 | |
St Mirren | 1955 | 1956 | |
Blackburn Rovers | 1956 | 1961 | |
Hibernian | 1961 | 1963 | |
Third Lanark | 1963 | 1964 | |
Ayr United | 1964 | 1965 |