Ex Arsenal players in senior football management: a regular guide

by Tony Attwood

I recently asked on Untold Arsenal for details of any ex-Arsenal players currently working as managers or in other very senior positions in clubs.

This came about following the news of Dennis Bergkamp‘s appointment at  Ajax and Remi Garde‘s elevation at Lyon.

The subsequent discussion gave me quite a few names, but sadly many of these are no longer working, and I wanted to focus on those who are, so that I can try and stay in touch with them through the season to come.

So here’s the rest of the list and a few introductory notes. If you have anyone else who is currently working at or near the top of a club (other than Arsenal – we focus on them anyway) please do write in, and I will do my best to keep up with each club in turn.  And of course all other information is welcome.

Tony Adams

In May last year Tony signed a three-year contract to manage Gabala FC of the Azerbaijan Premier League.   There are 12 teams in the league which is played over the same period as the EPL.  The average gate across the league is around 2,200 and last season Tony’s team came 7th in the league.

Martin Hayes:  Dover Athletic

Martin became player-manager of Bishop’s Stortford in 1999 and remained in charge until November 2008.  He then moved to Wingate & Finchley, and in June 2010 Dover Athletic.  They play in the Conference South.  In 2009–10 , Dover reached the play-offs but lost to Woking. Last season they reached the third round of the FA Cup for the first time, making Martin a huge local hero.

Ian Allinson

I was told he was manager of Stotfold FC, but other sources say this is not so. Any news on what Ian is doing would be welcome.

Brian McDermott

After management positions at Slough Town and Woking, Brian went to Reading in September 2000, working as scout, under-19s and reserve team manager.  He became first team manager on 17 December 2009.  In January , 2010 his side beat Liverpool in the FA Cup third round, in a replay. They went on to the quarter finals for the first time in 83 years.  Last season his team beat WBA and Everton in the Cup before losing to Manchester City.

Reading are in the Championship (division 2 in old nomenclature), and reached the play off finals last season.

Vladimir Petrovic

As assistant coach, he won the 1991 European Cup with Red Star, and as head coach the 1996 Yugoslavia FA Cup.  He took the Serbia and Montenegro under-21s to runners-up finish at the 2004 European U-21 Championship.

In 2005, Petrović managed the Chinese side Dalian Shide and won the double.  In September 2007 he became coach of the Chinese national team but was sacked when China failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

In June 2009, Vladimir Petrović returned to Red Star Belgrade as manager but was sacked a year later and became manager of Romanian club FC Politehnica Timişoara.   On September 15, 2010, Petrović was named the new head coach of Serbia.

So that’s the group of names I have so far – ex-players who are now coaches or assistants of pro or semi-pro clubs anywhere in the world.  If we were also including managers I could mention Bruce Rioch’s work as part-time  trainer of Falmouth Town of the South West Peninsula League, but we aren’t so I won’t.

Information on all the ex-players above, plus details of any I have missed who are currently in management please add to our comments here and I will try and update matters – although getting results from the Azerbaijan Premier League might be a little tough.

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