John Toshack
Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography
John Benjamin Toshack Template:Post-nominals (born 22 March 1949) is a Welsh former professional football player and manager.
He began his playing career as a teenager with his hometown club Cardiff City, becoming the youngest player to make an appearance for the side when he made his debut in 1965. After establishing himself in the first-team, he went on to make over 200 appearances and scored 100 goals in all competitions after forming a striking partnership with Brian Clark.
In 1970, he joined First Division side Liverpool, where he formed a noted forward partnership with Kevin Keegan and Steve Heighway that helped the club to win two league titles, the European Cup, the UEFA Cup on two occasions, the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. His partnership with Keegan was so effective that the two were described as telepathic. Mounting injuries eventually led to him securing his release from Liverpool to join Swansea City as player-manager in March 1978. He led the club to three promotions in four seasons, elevating them from the Fourth Division to the First Division in a feat that led former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly to describe him as the "manager of the century".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> During his career, he scored over 150 goals in the Football League in more than 350 appearances and also represented Wales at international level, winning 40 caps and scoring 13 goals.<ref name=ATZ>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
He resigned from Swansea in 1984 after suffering relegation and embarked on a managerial career abroad, taking charge of Sporting CP in Portugal and later Spanish side Real Sociedad, winning the Copa del Rey in 1987. Two years later, he was appointed manager of Real Madrid and led them to a fifth consecutive La Liga title with a record total of points and goals scored. However, a disappointing start to the following season resulted in his dismissal in November 1990 and he returned to Real Sociedad. In 1994, he was appointed part-time manager of Wales alongside his job at Sociedad but resigned from the role after just 47 days having been in charge for one match, citing the strong support for former manager Terry Yorath among fans and a "political war" as reasons. In 1995, he was appointed manager of Deportivo La Coruña during the club's "Super Depor" era, reaching the Cup Winners' Cup semifinals in his first season before departing acrimoniously in February 1997.
After a spell in Turkey with Beşiktaş, he returned to Real Madrid for a second time but was sacked ten months later after refusing to retract criticism he had made of his players in a press conference following a defeat. In 2004, he was appointed as manager of Wales for a second time and remained with the side for six years, presiding over three ultimately unsuccessful qualifying campaigns. He later managed Macedonia and Azerbaijani side Khazar Lankaran before managing outside Europe for the first time in his career with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca and Tractor of Iran.
Early lifeEdit
John Toshack was born on 22 March 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, and grew up on Northumberland Street in the Canton area of the city.<ref name="Control">Template:Cite news</ref> His father George was from Dunfermline in Scotland and worked as a carpenter.<ref name="Dad">Template:Cite news</ref> He moved to Wales while serving in the RAF, being stationed at MOD St Athan, and met Toshack's mother Joan, whom he later married.<ref name="Control"/><ref name="Dad"/>
As a child, Toshack attended Radnor Road Primary School, where he first played football for ten minutes in a school trial match,<ref name="Control"/> and later Canton High School for Boys.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="RD">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As a teenager, Toshack also played rugby and cricket and was regarded as a promising outside-half before a fractured shoulder suffered playing rugby led to him focusing on football.<ref name="RD"/> He left the school at the age of sixteen with O-levels in French and history.<ref name="Control"/>
Playing careerEdit
Cardiff CityEdit
While at school, Toshack was selected to represent Cardiff Boys, where he played alongside Terry Yorath.<ref name="Control"/> In 1963, Toshack scored in every match he played for the side and broke the team's scoring record with his 33rd goal in eleven matches as Cardiff defeated Swansea 2–0 in the Welsh schools divisional final.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was later selected to represent the Wales under-15 side.<ref name="Control"/>
In 1965, he joined his hometown club Cardiff City, signing for them as a 16-year-old on a contract worth £12 a week with an £8 appearance bonus and a £4 win bonus.<ref name="WO1">Template:Cite news</ref> In his early days at the club, he was in charge of cleaning the boots of John Charles.<ref name="Control"/> He became the youngest ever player to play in a senior match for the club when he came on as a substitute in place of Graham Coldrick to make a goalscoring debut during a 3–1 win over Leyton Orient on 13 November 1965 at the age of 16 years and 236 days,<ref name="Shepherd">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Hayes">Template:Cite book</ref> a record which stood for 41 years until it was broken by Aaron Ramsey in 2007.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His performance during his debut persuaded manager Jimmy Scoular to promote him to the starting line-up for the following match and Toshack found the net again, scoring a brace during a 4–3 victory over Middlesbrough.<ref name="WO1"/> In his first season in professional football, he scored six goals during nine appearances in all competitions.<ref name="Shepherd"/>
Establishing himself in the side over the next few years, Toshack rejected a £70,000 move to Fulham when he was 18 as he felt he was too inexperienced to play in the First Division and would learn more by playing under Cardiff manager Scoular.<ref name="annual">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He scored his first career hat-trick in January 1968 in an 8–0 win over Ebbw Vale in the Welsh Cup,<ref name="Shepherd"/> and went on to form one of the most prolific partnerships in the club's history alongside Brian Clark. In the 1968–69 season, he scored 31 goals in all competitions, including three goals in a two-legged Welsh Cup final against Swansea City, finishing as the club's top scorer and the highest goalscorer in the Second Division.<ref name="Hayes"/> He scored two further hat-tricks for Cardiff, in 1969 against Queens Park Rangers and in 1970 against Hull City.<ref name="Shepherd"/>
In November 1970, several days after scoring his 100th goal in all competitions for Cardiff during a 2–1 victory over French side Nantes in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup,<ref name="Shepherd"/> Toshack completed a transfer to Liverpool. The club had made several previous offers for Toshack that had been rejected however, the Cardiff City board stated that they had left the decision up to the player who chose to move clubs. Cardiff manager Scoular and board member George Edwards both opposed the transfer, but were unable to convince chairman Fred Dewey to block the move.<ref name="Files">Template:Cite news</ref>
LiverpoolEdit
The deal was completed on 11 November 1970, Liverpool manager Bill Shankly paying £111,000 for the striker,<ref name="Files"/> a club record fee at the time.<ref name="annual"/><ref name="LFCH">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> £100,000 went to Cardiff for the sale of the player while the Football League received £5,500 for the transfer and Toshack himself received the remaining £5,500.<ref name="Files"/> Liverpool had resurrected a potential deal for Toshack after an attempt to sign Huddersfield Town forward Frank Worthington collapsed after he failed a medical.<ref name="LFCH"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut three days later on 14 November 1970 in a goalless league draw with Coventry City at Anfield.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His first goal came a week later on 21 November in a Merseyside derby at Anfield. With the game 0–0 at half-time, Everton scored two early goals just after the start of the second half before Steve Heighway scored from an acute angle for Liverpool. In the 76th minute, Toshack headed a goal from a Heighway cross that turned the game around;<ref name="LFCH"/> then Chris Lawler volleyed home, after Toshack had headed on an Alec Lindsay cross, for the 84th-minute winner.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Quote box In his first season at Anfield, Toshack scored seven times in all competitions but his noted aerial ability proved to be a key asset in Liverpool's style of play as it helped the side reach the 1971 FA Cup Final, losing 2–1 to Arsenal.<ref name="LFCProfile">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following year, Kevin Keegan joined Liverpool from Scunthorpe United and the pair struck up a successful partnership, which was often referred to as being telepathic,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with Toshack winning balls in the air and Keegan finishing the knock downs.<ref name="LFCProfile"/>
After defeat in the 1971 FA Cup final and missing out on the league title by a single point in 1972, Toshack won his first major honour with Liverpool in 1973 despite missing 20 league matches due to injury.<ref name="LE">Template:Cite news</ref> Don Revie's Leeds United visited Anfield on Easter Monday for a match involving two of the three 1972–73 Football League title challengers. Two minutes after the break Peter Cormack put Liverpool ahead before Keegan added a late second to seal the win. With Arsenal only drawing in their match against Southampton, Liverpool duly closed out the title with a final game 0–0 draw against Leicester City to claim their first major trophy since 1966.<ref name="eighth">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Toshack also helped the side to win the 1972–73 UEFA Cup against German team Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 1973 UEFA Cup Final first leg at Anfield was abandoned due to a torrential downpour after 27 minutes and rescheduled to be played again the next day.<ref name="LE"/> The 27 minutes that had been played had given Liverpool manager Bill Shankly an insight into Borussia Mönchengladbach's defensive vulnerability in the air. To exploit this, he brought tall forward Toshack into the starting team demoting the small build of Brian Hall to appearing only as a late substitute.<ref name="Hallprofile">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Keegan profited with two goals set up by Toshack headers in a 3–0 win. Liverpool lost 2–0 away in the second leg but won the tie 3–2 on aggregate.<ref name="LFCH"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Toshack also played in the 1974 FA Cup Final when Liverpool defeated Newcastle United 3–0, having scored winning goals in the quarter and semi-final matches against Bristol City and Leicester City.<ref name="LFCH"/> However, he found himself out of the first-team at the start of the following season after the club signed Ray Kennedy from Arsenal. Frustrated with the situation, Toshack looked to move and the club accepted a £160,000 bid from Leicester City in November 1974. Although he stated of his desire to remain with Liverpool, he was reluctant to be only playing reserve matches.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, the deal later collapsed after he failed a medical and, at the age of 25, Toshack was told by specialist doctors that he only had around twelve months left to play due to mounting injuries.<ref name="Times">Template:Cite news</ref> He was able to force his way back into the first-team soon after,<ref name="LFCH"/> but his training time was restricted in an effort to prolong his playing career.<ref name="Times"/>
He won a further league and UEFA Cup double in 1976 and enjoyed his most prolific season with Liverpool, scoring 23 goals in all competitions. He ended his medal haul with a further league title in 1977 but increasing injury concerns limited his appearances and a proposed £60,000 transfer to Belgian side Anderlecht broke down after a medical discovered calcification in some muscle tissue. Toshack eventually negotiated his release from his contract at Liverpool in order to move into management.<ref name="LFCH"/> During his time with Liverpool, Toshack scored 96 goals in 247 appearances in all competitions.<ref name="LFCH"/> He was voted in at No.34 on the Liverpool website poll 100 Players Who Shook The Kop, in which thousands of fans worldwide voted for their top 100 Liverpool players.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
International careerEdit
Toshack played for Wales at schoolboy and under-23 level before making his senior debut on 26 March 1969 in a 1–1 draw with West Germany.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He scored his first senior goal in his following match, a 2–1 defeat to East Germany a month later.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was part of the Welsh side that topped their qualifying group for UEFA Euro 1976, scoring three times during qualifying, before losing a two-legged play-off match against Yugoslavia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He went on to earn 40 caps and scored 13 goals,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> including a hat trick against Scotland in the 1979 British Home Championship.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Managerial careerEdit
Swansea CityEdit
Having secured his release from his contract at Liverpool, Toshack looked to move into management and approached his former club Cardiff City over a coaching position but was rejected by manager Jimmy Andrews who questioned his qualifications for the role. Toshack instead received a phone call from Swansea City chairman Malcolm Struel and was invited to a meeting at the club. Following this, he was appointed player-manager of Fourth Division club Swansea on 1 March 1978,<ref name="Riv">Template:Cite news</ref> becoming the youngest manager in the Football League at the age of 29.<ref name="espn">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Succeeding Harry Griffiths who stepped down to become his assistant,<ref name="espn"/> Toshack's appointment was seen as a significant coup for Swansea and the crowd for his first match in charge, a 3–3 draw with Watford, more than doubled from the club's previous home match with over 15,000 in attendance.<ref name="Riv"/><ref name="SCM">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
He overhauled numerous aspects of the club's day-to-day routine including changing players' diets, moderating their alcohol intake and revising travel arrangements for away matches.<ref name="Riv"/> He was an immediate success at the Vetch Field, winning promotion from the Fourth Division in his first season in charge after finishing third.<ref name="SCM"/><ref name="espn"/> However, the club's celebrations were muted following the death of Griffiths from a heart attack prior to a match against Scunthorpe United in April 1978. Toshack praised Griffiths for his role in helping the club win promotion, stating: "Most of the hard work had been done [...], chiefly by Harry. Gaining promotion would be a memorial to him".<ref name="espn"/>
The following season, Toshack convinced several of his former Liverpool teammates, such as Ian Callaghan, Phil Boersma and Tommy Smith, to join the club. Smith and Callaghan had both received offers to stay with Liverpool, although with limited playing time, but approached Toshack over a move and would train at Liverpool's Melwood training ground before travelling to Swansea for matchdays.<ref name="espn"/> Toshack led the club to a second consecutive promotion in 1979, sealing their place in the Second Division with a 2–1 win over Chesterfield on the final day of the season with Toshack himself scoring the winning goal that confirmed promotion after bringing himself on as a substitute.<ref name="espn"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
After finishing mid-table in their first season in the Second Division, Swansea claimed a third promotion in four seasons in 1981 after beating Preston North End 3–1 on 2 May 1981 and won the Welsh Cup for the first time in fifteen years soon after by defeating Hereford United.<ref name="proud">Template:Cite book</ref> After achieving promotion, Toshack's former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly heaped praise on his achievements, stating "he's done a remarkable job, I would say he's possibly manager of the century."<ref name="espn"/> Once they reached the top flight, Swansea were predicted by many to be relegated, but in their first match in the First Division they claimed a 5–1 victory over Leeds United after a hat-trick from newly arrived club-record signing Bob Latchford.<ref name="espn"/><ref name="flew">Template:Cite news</ref> In recognition of his achievements at the club, Toshack was awarded an MBE midway through the season.<ref name="proud"/> Swansea topped the league at several stages of the season, leading the division with only three months remaining, but injuries to key-players Latchford and another former Liverpool teammate of Toshack's Ray Kennedy, saw a downturn in results and they won just one of their final six matches before finishing their first campaign in the top flight in sixth position.<ref name="espn"/><ref name="flew"/> During this period, he was told by the Liverpool board that he was their choice to replace current manager Bob Paisley when he chose to retire. Toshack had openly coveted the position, stating: "When I went to Swansea the thing I wanted in the long term was to end up at Liverpool".<ref name="Times"/> However, Paisley remained longer than expected and the position eventually went to Joe Fagan.<ref name="Times"/> Swansea were relegated the following year as the club suffered financial difficulties after relatively big spending under Toshack's tenure and then suffered a second successive relegation. He resigned in October 1983 but returned eight weeks later, remaining with the club for a further three months before departing again in March 1984.<ref name="SCM"/> The heavy spending during Toshack's years at Swansea were often cited as a key factor in the severe financial issues that affected the club, being issued with a winding up order due to unpaid debts in December 1985.<ref name="proud"/>
European managementEdit
In 1984, Toshack was appointed manager of the Portuguese side Sporting CP, but he only lasted one season in the post, during which he led the team to second place in the league.<ref name="factfile">Template:Cite news</ref> He instead moved to Spain, taking a position as manager of Real Sociedad where he led the side to victory in the 1986–87 Copa del Rey and were the league runners-up in 1988.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="National">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Although their following season was disappointing, finishing the La Liga season in eleventh position, Toshack was appointed manager of Real Madrid in 1989.<ref name="National"/> Madrid were reigning La Liga champions having won their fourth consecutive title the previous year and their squad was described by club president Ramón Mendoza as the "best Real Madrid side for the past 25 years".<ref name="Smyth">Template:Cite news</ref> Nevertheless, Toshack strengthened defensively by adding Oscar Ruggeri and Fernando Hierro to the club's ranks, but endured a difficult start after losing to rivals Barcelona and being eliminated from the European Cup in the second round; he was also under pressure from local press, despite leading the La Liga table after ten matches. However, the side soon discovered their form and they eventually claimed the league title after scoring a record 107 league goals during the season, becoming only the second team to score 100 or more goals during a single season at the time.<ref name="Smyth"/> A disappointing start to the following season and a three-match losing streak led to him being sacked by the club after eleven matches in November 1990 and he returned to Sociedad,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="road">Template:Cite news</ref> initially in an advisory role, before taking charge soon after.<ref name="Hodgson">Template:Cite news</ref>
In Spain, Toshack became known as "John Benjamin"–nicknamed "JB"–as there was a common misunderstanding that his middle name was a Spanish-style paternal surname. He was noted for a habit of literally translating English-language idioms into Spanish during his press conferences, to the confusion of Spanish journalists.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Wales national football teamEdit
In 1994, Toshack was appointed as manager of the Wales national team on a part-time basis, taking the job alongside his position in charge of Sociedad, after approaches for Terry Venables and Bobby Robson were rejected.<ref name="47days">Template:Cite news</ref> Although the ten scheduled competitive matches the team were due to play coincided with a break in Spanish league fixtures, he stated his intention that Sociedad would remain his first priority if any other international matches should clash with domestic ones.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was appointed to succeed Terry Yorath, who had narrowly missed out on qualification to the 1994 FIFA World Cup and had expressed his desire to remain in the role but was not offered a new contract by the Football Association of Wales (FAW).<ref name="47days"/> On 9 March 1994, Toshack took charge of his first game for Wales, a 3–1 defeat to Norway at Ninian Park in Cardiff.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Toshack had already come under scrutiny over his commitment to the role after arriving in Wales only two nights before the match and taking a single training session with the team beforehand. With support for Yorath still strong among Welsh fans over his dismissal by the FAW, a disappointing performance against Norway saw the team jeered off at both half and full-time and Toshack resigned from the role after just 47 days in charge.<ref name="47days"/><ref name="Deliver">Template:Cite news</ref> He later claimed that there was a political "war" surrounding the team following Yorath's acrimonious departure and he decided to "wash his hands" of the situation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Besiktas and return to Real MadridEdit
After leaving Sociedad, he spent two years in charge of Deportivo de La Coruña, resigning after the board signed two players without his knowledge,<ref name="30y">Template:Cite news</ref> before moving to Turkey to join Beşiktaş on the recommendation of Bobby Robson,<ref name="30y"/> finishing sixth in his first season in charge.<ref name="Hodgson"/> Although Toshack led the club to victory in the Turkish Cup in 1998, he endured a difficult time at the club, as he clashed with the board on several occasions and had threatened to quit in October 1998.<ref name="road"/>
In February 1999, he returned to Real Madrid following the sacking of Guus Hiddink. Madrid agreed to pay £372,671 compensation to Beşiktaş in order to secure the move.<ref name="road"/> With the club in sixth position on his arrival, they eventually finished the season in fifth under Toshack. However, the start of the following season saw Madrid again struggle and, following a 3–2 defeat to Rayo Vallecano that left them in eighth position, Toshack publicly criticised his players, particularly Albano Bizzarri commenting that the goalkeeper conceded goals "that made me weep".<ref name="sacked">Template:Cite news</ref> Toshack claimed that his words were meant as a motivational tactic and refused club president Lorenzo Sanz's request that he withdraw his comments, saying "there's more chance of a pig flying over the Bernabeu".<ref name="sacked"/> The Real Madrid board dismissed him soon after.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Toshack would later take Madrid to court over his dismissal and was awarded over £700,000 in compensation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He later spent a short period with French side Saint-Étienne in 2000, leaving the club for third spell in charge of Real Sociedad. Despite pulling Saint-Étienne out of the relegation zone, the club's fortunes rapidly declined after his departure, becoming entangled in a forgery scandal which docked the club seven points to confirm its relegation at the end of the 2000–01 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At Sociedad, Toshack reversed the club's declining fortunes and pulled it out of the relegation zone to finish in 13th place in his first season after having rewarded the captaincy to 20–year old Xabi Alonso, who became the club's star player under Toshack.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After amassing 27 points in 29 games the following season, he was sacked in March 2002.
He then had short spells with Italian team Catania from November 2002 to January 2003, in a calamitous season for the club in which it got relegated from the Serie B in a scandal known as "Caso Catania" before the decision was reversed in August 2003; this preceded another return to Spain with last–placed La Liga side Real Murcia in January 2004, failing to save the club from relegation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Wales (second spell)Edit
In November 2004, Toshack was appointed as manager of the Wales national team for the second time after being named as the "unanimous" choice of the FAW. He was named in a three-man shortlist for the role alongside Frenchman Philippe Troussier and former Welsh international Dean Saunders.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Toshack's appointment was unpopular with some senior players with Robbie Savage claiming he could face a player mutiny if appointed. In total, seven players announced their international retirement within months of Toshack's appointment,<ref name="RD"/> including Savage,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> captain Gary Speed, who had been critical of Toshack's opinions previously,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mark Pembridge and Andy Melville.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Former Wales manager Mark Hughes also questioned Toshack's suitability for the role, stating that UEFA coaching qualifications which Toshack did not possess should be considered a prerequisite for the job.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
One of his first acts as manager was to place Brian Flynn in charge of Wales' various youth levels, replacing Ian Rush and Neville Southall,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the pair set about rebuilding an ageing squad and uncovering players with the eligibility to play for Wales, such as Ashley Williams.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His first match in charge was a friendly against Hungary on 9 February 2005 which ended in a 2–0 win for Wales, both goals being scored by Craig Bellamy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His first competitive match in charge came one month later when they suffered a 2–0 defeat to Austria, where Toshack was blamed for making a late substitution with the match at 0–0 that allowed Austria into contention and conceded two late goals.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A second defeat to Austria four days later ended Wales' slim remaining hopes of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.<ref name="RD"/>
In his first full qualifying campaign, Toshack's squad was plagued by withdrawals, so much so that he chose to issue a letter to 36 Welsh players for them to show "total commitment to the cause".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> With the noted retirements and regular withdrawals, Toshack was forced to use a relatively youthful side for a difficult qualifying campaign in which Wales finished fifth out of seven teams and failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008. A defeat to Poland in February 2009 caused anger among supporters as captain Craig Bellamy clashed verbally with fans and a further defeat to Finland a month later saw the side jeered off the pitch at full-time.<ref name="RD"/> In October 2009, Wales were unable to fill a squad for a friendly match against Finland following four retirements in the months prior to the match. One of the players, Paul Parry, cited being made to feel like a "spare part" as the reason for his decision to make himself unavailable for selection.<ref name="RD"/>
Despite mounting pressure to resign, Toshack remained in charge for the start of the next qualifying campaign. However, on 5 September 2010, he offered his resignation from the Wales job following a 1–0 away defeat to Montenegro in their first Euro 2012 qualifying match.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He left the job by mutual consent on 9 September 2010,<ref name=Departs>Template:Cite news</ref> although he had stated his desire to remain in the job for the two following qualifying matches.<ref name="Wragg">Template:Cite news</ref> During his six-year tenure with Wales, a total of 18 players retired from international duty but he also handed debuts to numerous players, including many of the side that would go on to reach the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Macedonian national teamEdit
Eleven months after resigning from his role with Wales, Toshack was appointed manager of the Macedonia national football team on 7 August 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Macedonia won one of his eight matches in charge and his contract with the national side was terminated on 13 August 2012 after he refused the request of Football Federation of Macedonia president Ilčo Gjorgioski to relocate to the country.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Khazar LankaranEdit
On 8 March 2013, it was announced that Toshack would take over as manager of Khazar Lankaran of the Azerbaijan Premier League on 15 March 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the time of his appointment, Khazar Lankaran were eighth in the league and competing in the relegation group for the final 10 games of the season. Toshack's first game in charge of Khazar Lankaran was a one all home draw against AZAL.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Toshack's first win came in his second game in charge, a 1–2 away victory against bottom of the table Kəpəz.<ref name="16 April 2013">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Khazar Lankaran ended the season in eighth position, with a league record under Toshack of three games out of nine won, with an equal number of three matches drawn or lost. Toshack also guided Khazar Lankaran to the final of the 2012–13 Azerbaijan Cup with a 2–1 aggregate victory over Baku in the semi-finals, resulting in a game against Premier League champions Neftchi Baku which Khazar lost 5–3 on penalties.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As a result of Neftchi Baku winning both the Premier League and Cup, Khazar qualified for the UEFA Europa League. Toshack won his first trophy with Khazar Lankaran on 23 October 2013, defeating Neftchi Baku in the 2013 Azerbaijan Supercup.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 22 November 2013, Toshack resigned as manager of Khazar Lankaran, following 14 points in the first 14 games of the season, leaving Khazar in eighth place in the league.<ref name="Toshack resignes">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Wydad CasablancaEdit
On 20 June 2014, Toshack was appointed as manager of Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca.<ref name="Wydad Casablanca appoint Toshack">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He led the club to a league title in his first season in charge and a second-place finish the following year,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but on 16 September 2016, after suffering a heavy defeat to Zamalek in the first leg of the 2016 CAF Champions League semi-finals, Toshack and Wydad Casablanca parted ways.<ref name="Toshack leaves Wydad Casablanca">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
TractorEdit
In June 2018, he was appointed manager of Iranian side Tractor until 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He left the club in September 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
On 7 June 1969, Toshack married Susan Bann from Grangetown, Cardiff, at the age of 20 at St John Church in Canton.<ref name="Control"/><ref name="divorce">Template:Cite news</ref> After 43 years of marriage, the pair divorced in 2012 with his wife citing "unreasonable behaviour".<ref name="divorce"/> Toshack's son Cameron is also a former professional footballer, having made five appearances for Cardiff City, and with Swansea City for the 1989–90 season.<ref name="divorce"/>
In 1976, while playing for Liverpool, Toshack composed and published a book of poems entitled Gosh, it's Tosh.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 1981, Toshack won the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year and received the MBE for his services to football in the 1982 New Year Honours list.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="BBC 1">Template:Cite news</ref> He was the subject of an episode of This Is Your Life in 1982 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Roehampton Club in London.Template:Citation needed
On 27 February 2022, Toshack was reported to be seriously ill in a Spanish hospital, suffering from COVID-19.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Career statisticsEdit
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Cardiff City | 1965–66<ref name="Shepherd"/> | Second Division | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 6 |
| 1966–67<ref name="Shepherd"/> | Second Division | 23 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 26 | 11 | ||
| 1967–68<ref name="Shepherd"/> | Second Division | 35 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 17 | |
| 1968–69<ref name="Shepherd"/> | Second Division | 41 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 2 | 5Template:Efn | 7 | 51 | 31 | |
| 1969–70<ref name="Shepherd"/> | Second Division | 39 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4Template:Efn | 2 | 4Template:Efn | 2 | 51 | 22 | |
| 1970–71<ref name="Shepherd"/> | Second Division | 16 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4Template:Efn | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 13 | |
| Total | 162 | 74 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 24 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 207 | 100 | ||
| Liverpool | 1970–71<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 21 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5Template:Efn | 1 | – | 33 | 7 | |
| 1971–72<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 29 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 34 | 13 | |
| 1972–73<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 22 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 8Template:Efn | 1 | – | 40 | 17 | ||
| 1973–74<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 19 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3Template:Efn | 1 | – | 30 | 11 | ||
| 1974–75<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 21 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 12 | |
| 1975–76<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 35 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11Template:Efn | 6 | – | 50 | 23 | ||
| 1976–77<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 22 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4Template:Efn | 1 | 1Template:Efn | 1 | 30 | 13 | |
| 1977–78<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 172 | 74 | 24 | 8 | 13 | 3 | 36 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 247 | 96 | ||
| Swansea City | 1977–78<ref name="LFCH"/> | Fourth Division | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 13 | 6 | |
| 1978–79<ref name="LFCH"/> | Third Division | 28 | 13 | – | 34 | 14 | ||||||||
| 1979–80<ref name="LFCH"/> | Second Division | 16 | 5 | – | 22 | 9 | ||||||||
| 1980–81<ref name="LFCH"/> | Second Division | 3 | 0 | – | 5 | 0 | ||||||||
| 1981–82<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| 1982–83<ref name="LFCH"/> | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| 1983–84<ref name="LFCH"/> | Second Division | 3 | 0 | – | 4 | 1 | ||||||||
| Total | 63 | 24 | – | 78 | 30 | |||||||||
| Total | 397 | 172 | 31 | 9 | 17 | 4 | 60 | 25 | 12 | 10 | 532 | 220 | ||
Managerial statisticsEdit
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||||||
| Swansea City | 1 March 1978 | 8 June 1984 | |||||||||
| Sporting CP | 1 July 1984 | 19 May 1985 | |||||||||
| Real Sociedad | 1 July 1985 | 8 May 1989 | |||||||||
| Real Madrid | 1 July 1989 | 19 November 1990 | |||||||||
| Real Sociedad | 1 July 1991 | 21 November 1994 | |||||||||
| Wales (interim) | 9 March 1994 | 9 March 1994 | |||||||||
| Deportivo La Coruña | 1 July 1995 | 10 February 1997 | |||||||||
| Beşiktaş | 1 July 1997 | 23 February 1999 | |||||||||
| Real Madrid | 24 February 1999 | 17 November 1999 | |||||||||
| Saint-Étienne | 6 October 2000 | 21 December 2000 | |||||||||
| Real Sociedad | 22 December 2000 | 12 March 2002 | |||||||||
| Catania | 9 November 2002 | 28 January 2003 | |||||||||
| Real Murcia | 20 January 2004 | 30 June 2004 | |||||||||
| Wales | 1 January 2005 | 4 September 2010 | |||||||||
| North Macedonia | 2 September 2011 | 30 May 2012 | |||||||||
| Khazar Lankaran | 1 March 2013 | 26 July 2013 | |||||||||
| Wydad Casablanca | 1 June 2014 | 16 September 2016 | |||||||||
| Tractor | 9 June 2018 | 16 September 2018 | |||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
<references group="nb"/>
HonoursEdit
PlayerEdit
Cardiff City<ref name="Hayes"/>
- Welsh Cup: 1967–68, 1968–69
Liverpool<ref name="LFCH"/>
- Football League First Division: 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77
- FA Cup: 1973–74;<ref name="FACW"/> runner-up: 1970–71<ref name="FACW">Template:Cite book</ref>
- FA Charity Shield: 1976
- European Cup: 1976–77
- UEFA Cup: 1972–73, 1975–76
- UEFA Super Cup: 1977
Player-managerEdit
Swansea City<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Football League Fourth Division third-place promotion: 1977–78
- Football League Third Division third-place promotion: 1978–79
- Football League Second Division third-place promotion: 1980–81
- Welsh Cup: 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83
ManagerEdit
Real Sociedad<ref name="factfile"/>
Real Madrid<ref name="factfile"/>
Deportivo<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Beşiktaş<ref name="Soccerway"/>
- Turkish Cup: 1997–98
- Turkish Super Cup: 1998<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Khazar Lankaran<ref name="Soccerway"/>
Wydad Athletic Club<ref name="Soccerway"/>
Individual honoursEdit
- La Liga Coach of the Year – Don Balón Award: 1989, 1990<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Profile at the Liverpool F.C. website
- Template:UEFA player
Template:Navboxes Template:Navboxes Template:Authority control