John Toshack
John Benjamin Toshack (born 22 March 1949 in Cardiff) is a Welsh football manager and former player. He is the current manager of the Wales national football team.
Playing career
Toshack started his footballing career with Cardiff City F.C., signing for them as a 16 year old. After four years at Cardiff, he was signed by Liverpool F.C. in November 1970. During his time with the club Toshack scored 96 goals, and was part of the team that won the Football League Championship in 1973, 1976 and 1977, the FA Cup in 1974, and the UEFA Cup in 1973 and 1976. He played for the Welsh national football team at schoolboy, under-23 and full international level. He earned 40 caps, and scored 12 goals. However, his playing career was blighted by injuries and he was transferred to Swansea City A.F.C. as player-manager in 1978, where he succeeded the late Harry Griffiths.
Management career
He was an immediate success at the Vetch Field, taking them from the Fourth Division all the way to the First Division in successive seasons.
In 1984, Toshack was appointed manager of the Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, but only lasted one season in the post. His most success as a manager has come in Spain, where he managed Real Madrid twice and Real Sociedad three times, and Deportivo La Coruna once. He has also managed the Turkish side Besiktas JK and French side AS Saint-Étienne. He was appointed manager of the Welsh national football team for the first time in 1994, but only spent 41 days in the post, resigning after a 3-1 defeat to Norway. Despite this, he was appointed to the post for a second time in November 2004.
Playing record
- 1966-1970 Cardiff City
- 1970-1978 Liverpool
- 1978-1983 Swansea City
- Wales: 12 goals in 40 international appearances
Honours
- 3 English Championships 1972/73, 1975/76, 1976/77
- 1 FA Cup 1974
- 1 Charity Shield 1976
- 2 European Cups 1977, 1978
- 2 UEFA Cups 1972/73, 1975/76
- 4 Welsh Cups 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970
Managerial record
- Swansea City 1978-1984 (resigned October 1983, re-appointed December 83)
- Sporting Lisbon 1984-1985
- Real Sociedad 1985-1989
- Real Madrid 1989-1990
- Real Sociedad 1991-1994
- Welsh National Team 1994 (one match)
- Deportivo La Coruna 1995-1997
- Besiktas JK 1997-1999
- Real Madrid 1999
- St. Etienne 2000-2001
- Real Sociedad 2001-2002
- Calcio Catania 2002-03
- Real Murcia 2004
- Welsh National Team 2004-
- La Liga 1989/90
- Copa del Rey 1987
- Supercopa 1995
- Turkey Cup 1998
- Welsh Cup 1981, 1982, 1983