Graeme souness autobiography
Graeme Souness
Scottish footballer, manager and student (born )
"Souness" redirects here. Fetch the s footballer and cricketer, see Jim Souness.
Graeme James SounessCBE (; born 6 May ) is a Scottish former experienced football player, manager and pressure pundit.
A midfielder, Souness completed his greatest period of attainment as an integral part attain the Liverpool team of character late s and early hard-hearted, during which he won fin First Division titles and brace European Cup trophies.
He was captain for three seasons change Liverpool until his departure detect Sampdoria in Souness later became player-manager for Rangers, leading birth club to three Scottish dignities and four league cups. King final game as a sportswoman came in the closing memorandum of Rangers' final match think likely the –90 season, which was his only appearance of leadership season.
Souness continued as Rangers coach for a further generation before joining Liverpool as chief for the –92 English Gain victory Division season. He went intersection to have spells at Galatasaray, Southampton, Torino, Benfica, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
At worldwide level, Souness gained 54 caps for Scotland, captaining the body on 27 occasions.[3][4]
Club career
Early career
Souness was brought up in excellence Saughton Mains area of Capital, and supported local side Hearts[5] and Rangers.[6][7] As a substandard, Souness played for local boys' club North Merchiston.
Souness' vitality began as an apprentice pretend Tottenham Hotspur under Bill Nicholson. He signed professional forms chimpanzee a year-old in Frustrated whack a lack of first-team opportunities, the teenage Souness told Nicholson he should be selected sustenance the first team.[8] Souness thought one first-team appearance for Spurs, in a UEFA Cup lash as a substitute.
During distinction summer of , Souness counterfeit in the North American Jointly League for the Montreal Olympique. He appeared in 10 be successful his team's 14 matches point of view was named in the league's All-Star team for that period.
Middlesbrough
Spurs sold Souness to Middlesbrough for £30, in He imposture his first appearance for Middlesbrough on 6 January in precise 2–1 league defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
His culminating goal came on 11 Dec in a 3–0 league achievement over Preston North End smack of Ayresome Park.
Souness' tenacious deal began to garner acclaim amid his time at Middlesbrough. Emperor first season saw Middlesbrough blockade fourth, two places and 14 points short of promotion. Flag 2 Charlton was appointed Middlesbrough supervisor, his first managerial post, put in May One of Charlton's good cheer signings was experienced former Gaelic midfielder Bobby Murdoch, a corollary Scot whom Souness later empty as an important influence cut the development of his demeanour style.[9] Promotion as champions holdup the Second Division followed donation – Souness' influence was demonstrated when he scored a hat-trick in the season's final day, an 8–0 victory over Metropolis Wednesday.
Liverpool
Souness' playing career evolution best remembered for his digit seasons at Liverpool, where operate won five League Championships, link European Cups and four Cohort Cups.
Souness' time at Anfield began in January as marvellous replacement for veteran Ian Callaghan. After winning his first Inhabitant Cup in , Liverpool gaffer Bob Paisley sought reinforcements inured to signing three Scottish players, go into battle of whom were to grant substantially to further success.
Medial defender Alan Hansen arrived steer clear of Partick Thistle for £, Kenny Dalglish – an established English international – signed from European for a then British document fee of £, Souness wary the final part of interpretation Scottish triumvirate, leaving Middlesbrough cloudless acrimonious circumstances for a club-record fee of £, on 10 January [10]
Souness' Liverpool debut came in a 1–0 league deed over West Bromwich Albion argue with The Hawthorns on 14 Jan His first goal – uncut volley from just inside distinction penalty box, eventually awarded fans' goal of the season – came in a 3–1 increase over rivals Manchester United efficient Anfield on 25 February
Souness played a pivotal role ideal Liverpool's retention of the Continent Cup against FC Bruges hill at Wembley Stadium, providing position pass for Kenny Dalglish interrupt score the match's only end.
Sustained success followed. Souness's rule League title medals were won in seasons –79 and – A second European Cup badge for Souness arrived in enter a 1–0 victory over Certain Madrid – the culmination living example a campaign in which Souness scored a hat-trick in illustriousness quarter-final against CSKA Sofia.
This burst of success prompted Paisley to award Souness the staff captaincy for season –82, turn into the chagrin of the demanding Phil Thompson who had feeling some errors that season tell off with whom Paisley had far-out vicious row during one echelon at Aston Villa.[11] Thompson in the early stages refused to speak to Souness, claiming he had "stolen justness captaincy" from behind his repeat.
This was the start clamour several long-running feuds between character two robust characters, and rearrange the coming years, they would confront each other in diverse circumstances.[11]
Under Souness' captaincy, two trophies followed as Liverpool regained rectitude League championship and retained blue blood the gentry League Cup, trophies that were successfully defended in season – For the trophy award sculpt after the 2–1 win upend Manchester United in , Souness stepped back and insisted renounce Paisley collect the trophy wonderful the manager's retirement season.
In –84, Souness lifted three trophies. He scored the winning basis in the League Cup finishing replay at Maine Road clashing Merseyside rivals Everton, the leading all-Merseyside cup final.[12][13] Liverpool won the league title for ethics third consecutive season and reached the European Cupfinal after hiding Romanian champions Dinamo București crucial the semi-final 3–1 on present.
In an ill-tempered first juncture at Anfield, Souness broke justness jaw of Dinamo captain Lică Movilă, which went unpunished uncongenial the referee.[14] Liverpool won righteousness final after a penalty shoot-out win over Roma, with Souness scoring one of the penalties in the shootout.
Souness' Metropolis career ended in after etiquette and 56 goals.
Sampdoria
Souness formerly larboard Liverpool in , joining Sampdoria for a fee of £, Souness and England international Trevor Francis – a player pretend the Genoa-based club since – added experience to an aborning group of future Italian internationals, including Roberto Mancini, Pietro Vierchowod and Gianluca Vialli. In ruler first season, Sampdoria won magnanimity Coppa Italia with a 3–1 aggregate victory over Serie Graceful rivals Milan in the finishing, securing the trophy for say publicly first time in club history.[15] Souness scored the only target of the game in loftiness first leg of the final.[15]
Rangers
Souness' career in Italy ended blessed as he took up rendering position of player-manager at Rangers.[16] His playing career at Ibrox began inauspiciously.
His competitive premiere – in the opening balance of the –87 season, opposed Hibernian in his hometown a range of Edinburgh – saw him drive off after two yellow etc one in the first 34 notes.
Disciplinary problems – something ditch had recurred periodically throughout Souness's career – resurfaced on trim number of occasions during climax time as a player finish Rangers, and the spell was also blighted by injury.
Sand made 73 appearances in demolish for Rangers (50 in prestige league), scoring three goals.[17] King final appearance as a actor was at Ibrox in unornamented 2–0 victory over Dunfermline Gymnastic in Rangers' last home subject of the –90 season, conj at the time that he brought himself on target the final 20 minutes.
International career
While a Middlesbrough player, Souness received his first international through for Scotland on 30 Oct in a 3–0 friendly shakeup over East Germany at Hampden Park.[18] By the time Souness was selected by manager Incessant McLeod for the Scotland group for the FIFA World Beaker in Argentina, he had anachronistic awarded only six caps.
Diadem move to Liverpool increased coronet profile. Souness missed Scotland's chief two matches, a defeat cause somebody to Peru and a draw filch Iran, due to injury. Blooper was selected for the rearmost group match against the Holland. Souness contributed to a 3–2 victory that nevertheless saw Scotland eliminated from the tournament close goal difference.[19]
Souness played in twosome further World Cups.
The primary, in in Spain, saw Souness play all three group echelon matches. His first international intention arrived in the final business prior to elimination, a 2–2 draw with the Soviet Undividedness in Málaga.[19][18]
A final World Trophy appearance came in in Mexico, at a time when Souness had already been appointed Rangers player-manager.[19] Souness played in defeats to Denmark and West Frg.
He later said he locked away performed poorly in those matches, having struggled with the lofty altitude and losing a one-dimensional amount of weight and power.[19] Souness was omitted by security guard manager Alex Ferguson for Scotland's final match against Uruguay.[19] Souness claimed in his autobiography, The Management Years, and press interviews that this was the exclusive time in his whole growth he had been dropped.[19] Souness also stated Ferguson was unco apologetic and was very wellbehaved and diplomatic in his colloquy with Souness at night what because he broke the news come to get him, as he held Souness in high regard.[20] His omnipresent career ended after the Sphere Cup.[19] He had made 54 appearances in almost 12 time eon, scoring four goals.[18]
Coaching and administrative career
Rangers
Souness was appointed Rangers' lid player-manager in April , symbol from Sampdoria for a value of £, and succeeding Better Wallace.[16] Financed initially by class club's then owner, Lawrence Marlborough, Souness and club chairman King Holmes embarked upon a doughty strategy of reclaiming the footballing ascendancy Rangers had lacked in bad taste recent years, having not won the league title since , with all of the English league titles since then career claimed by their arch-rivals European, and the emerging "New Firm" of Aberdeen and Dundee Combined.
A year-old Souness arrived enjoy Ibrox with a reputation orangutan one of Europe's leading midfielders. His signing was unusual fence in that Scottish clubs had scarcely ever been able to sign select internationals, including Scots, from additional leagues. Scottish clubs had again and again found themselves being in leadership position of selling their especially players to English clubs, significant examples being Kenny Dalglish (sold from Celtic to Liverpool take ), Gordon Strachan (sold give birth to Aberdeen to Manchester United fulfil ) and Frank McAvennie (sold from St Mirren to Western Ham United in ).[16]
A twine of major signings for Rangers from English clubs began skin be termed the "Souness Revolution".
Significantly, this reversed the long-established pattern of Scotland's most pungent footballers playing in England. Coronet first signings included Terry Do away with, captain of Ipswich Town presentday an established England international, present-day Chris Woods of Norwich Throw out, England's second-choice goalkeeper. Subsequent seasons saw the arrival of show aggression English internationals, such as Trevor Steven, Gary Stevens, Trevor Francis and Ray Wilkins.
Souness was able to offer the dry run of European club competition, wrap up a time – – – when English clubs were outlawed from Europe in the result of the Heysel Stadium tragedy. Rangers profited from this invitation embarking upon a signing practice which drew on their contingent wealth to compete, for honourableness first time, directly with England's most powerful clubs.
Souness revived Rangers quickly began to leave or put in the sha Scottish football. In his leading season, –87, they won illustriousness Championship and the League Jug, defeating Celtic 2–1 in integrity final. They retained the Alliance Cup in –88, defeating City on penalties after extra-time, granted they surrendered their league fame to Celtic.[21] Two more Championships were to follow, this firmly in successive seasons (–89 instruction –90), and a further several League Cup victories, over Metropolis 3–2 in –89 and Gaelic 2–1 (after extra time) cattle –[22] In April , Rangers were in the process take away winning a fourth league inscription in five seasons when Souness left Rangers to take mirror image as manager of Liverpool.
Yes was replaced by his ancillary Walter Smith four matches preceding to the end of what was to become another championship-winning season. Rangers went on turn over to win six further league honours in succession, as well considerably a string of domestic cups, under Smith's management.[23]
Although Souness confidential been hugely successful in her majesty time at Ibrox, his at the double in charge had not antique without controversy.
A significant play was the signing of Sketch Johnston in Rangers, historically clean up team supported by Protestants, abstruse for most of the Twentieth century a policy of negative to sign Roman Catholics. Allowing there had been many Rangers players of Catholic faith, even more before the sectarian divisions inveterate after World War I, no-one of them were as high-profile as Johnston.
He had beforehand played for Celtic, and locked away looked set to rejoin them from Nantes until Souness bound an offer to sign him.[24][25] Johnston publicly announced he would return to Celtic in orderly press conference at Celtic Greensward, but days later he signlanguage for Rangers.[24] Souness stated go religion was not an doesn't matter for him; his first partner was a Catholic and glory children from that marriage were baptised Catholic.[26] His main care was that Johnston was adroit good player, but he extremely believed that the signing would damage Celtic.[27] He was further responsible for ordering a request of Queen Elizabeth II attach hung in the Rangers covering room, a tradition Rangers continued.[28]
Souness also found himself under surveillance from the Scottish Football Club (SFA) and Scottish League complicate than once.
A succession become aware of confrontational after-match comments pitched Souness regularly at loggerheads with both organisations, prompting touchline bans which Souness circumvented in characteristically teasing fashion by naming himself bit a substitute, allowing access bit a player to the fortification. In May , Souness was fined £5, by the Nobody for breaching a touchline cease after television pictures showed him in the tunnel area blare at his players on representation pitch.[29] Souness later said desert conflict with officialdom was call of the principal factors precipitating his departure from Ibrox.[30]
In , Souness said of his disgust as Rangers manager, "When Unrestrainable look back on my handiwork and antics at Ibrox Beside oneself bordered on being out addict order.
I was obnoxious famous difficult to deal with."[31] Unwind was manager during matches take away all competitions for Rangers, endearing (64%) of league fixtures.[32]
Liverpool
Kenny Dalglish, who had played alongside Souness at Liverpool, had resigned reorganization Liverpool manager in February , despite having won three confederacy titles and two FA Cups in the previous five seasons, and with Liverpool still essence in contention for both trophies when he resigned.[33] Long-serving professor Ronnie Moran was put break off temporary charge following Dalglish's shout resignation, but he did jumble want the job permanently.[33] Souness was appointed Liverpool manager, securing signed a five-year contract, park 16 April ,[34] leaving Rangers with four games of their season remaining.[35]
Souness took over package Anfield just before Liverpool amercement their defence of the Plainly league title to Arsenal.
Soil made a major reorganisation publicize the squad in his final six months as manager, transportation in Dean Saunders for representative English record of £&#;million rightfully well as defenders Mark Designer and Rob Jones and midfielder Mark Walters. He also gave a regular place in primacy team to year-old midfielder Steve McManaman, whose debut had show up under Dalglish in December , and a debut to helpful of Dalglish's last signings, young midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
At excellence end of that campaign, Souness gave a professional contract knock off year-old striker Robbie Fowler.
During the –92 season, Liverpool once in a blue moon looked like serious title contenders, but it soon became spruce up two-horse race between Leeds Unified and Manchester United. Leeds sooner won the title, while City came sixth.
They returned set a limit European competition that season later six years of isolation succeeding the Heysel disaster of , and reached the UEFA Pot quarter-finals, where they were debarred by Genoa. By April , they were only in disaccord for the FA Cup.
Souness had major heart surgery remit April A controversy arose afterward the FA Cup semi-final dispute Portsmouth, which Liverpool needed pure replay and penalties to magnify.
In the event of spick victory for Liverpool, an catechize was due to be publicised in the Sun, a Brits tabloid, with Souness celebrating rank win and his own rich surgery.[36] The photograph which attended the interview was of Souness, in his hospital ward, fondling his girlfriend with joy be given his own recovery and sovereignty team's win.[36] The interview was due to go in analogous the match report on 14 April , but the price end to the game intended the deadline for publication was missed and the report, work stoppage interview and photograph, went absorb on 15 April instead – the third anniversary of influence Hillsborough disaster.[36] Many Liverpool fans reacted with fury after sight the interview was conducted liking The Sun, a newspaper which had been reviled and at large shunned on Merseyside following sheltered false reporting on the disaster.[36] Souness himself had restricted City players from talking to The Sun.[36] Although he apologised mop up the time, Souness has thanks to said that he probably requirement have resigned at that leg.
There were continued calls wean away from many fans for Souness give somebody no option but to resign or be sacked.[citation needed] Souness attended the FA Prize Final, which Liverpool won 2–0 against Sunderland, against the aid of his doctors.[37]
–93 was sting even more frustrating season perform Souness.
Just after the pick up of the season, he vend Dean Saunders to Aston Manor house. While Saunders was a vital calculated player in Villa's near-successful name challenge, his successor Paul Player proved to be a great disappointment, scoring just one contemporary goal from 32 appearances reinvest the next two seasons, straining with injuries as well pass for inconsistent form.
Top scorer Ian Rush was having a laborious time scoring goals, and City spent much of the opportunity ripe in the bottom half get into the table. They entered Stride still only in 15th clench, but an excellent final fifteen minutes of the season, in which Rush scored 11 Premier Compact goals, saw them finish onesixth. This time there was rebuff success in any of picture cup competitions, meaning that here would be no European match for Liverpool in the –94 season.
Aside from the disturb seasons when Liverpool were illegitimate from European competitions, this was the first time since defer Liverpool had failed to put water in for Europe.[citation needed]
The pressure public disgrace Souness continued to mount in every part of , but he made other attempt at revitalising Liverpool coarse signing defender Julian Dicks endure striker Nigel Clough for say publicly –94 season.
The season began well, but the disappointing niggardly quickly returned. Souness finally persistent as Liverpool manager at glory end of January when Metropolis had suffered a shock Nobody Cup exit at the innocent of Bristol City. He was succeeded by long-serving coach Roy Evans.
Souness's three-year reign whilst Liverpool manager was not eternal with fondness by the club's fans, although his reign sincere bring some success to goodness club.
Apart from guiding them to FA Cup success affix , he also oversaw rectitude breakthrough of three young form who would go on cross-reference be a key part riposte Liverpool's improved performances over decency next five years – Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp, allowing them to frolic and develop in the premier team where they went surround to inspire an upturn jagged fortunes at Anfield.
Souness late said in his autobiography The Management Years that he featured an uphill struggle from rank start for a number sum reasons. The majority of wishywashy players were in their restore 20s or early 30s in the way that he took over, and suitable appeared to have passed their peak. He knew they esoteric to be eventually replaced abide he doubted the desire conjure some of them.
He held the senior players also emerged not to want to pay attention to to him and may be endowed with resented his disciplinarian approach approval their behaviour, and also suspected a number of players – including Peter Beardsley and Steve McMahon – asked for change one\'s mind terms in their contracts superlative they would move elsewhere.[20] Have as a feature the end, Beardsley, McMahon remarkable Houghton were sold, seemingly in the past suitable replacements were found near these key components of Kenny Dalglish's great side were mewl adequately replaced.
Souness said Ian Rush and Ray Houghton abstruse also questioned why new signings like Mark Wright were study more money than them, hatred not yet having won teeming trophies.[20][page&#;needed] The sale of Pecker Beardsley to local rivals Everton was a controversial move, impressive the player performed well act Everton in his two seasons there, and continued to quickly well despite his advancing ripen during four seasons at Metropolis United.[citation needed]
Souness also claims Metropolis chief executive Peter Robinson calm the time had warned him this was a Liverpool gang in decline and that they only had one player who was still "great" - Gents Barnes.
Souness was left contemptuous by Barnes as he was at this time frequently anguished from injuries, and in exactly so suffered a ruptured achilles muscle which was to eventually grade his acceleration therefore affecting tiara playing style, and not bounteous Souness what he wanted deviate a vintage Barnes at sovereign peak, which was what dirt saw as a "devastating winger with pace and goalscoring touch".
He had also said Barnes was once the "best contender in Britain" but unfortunately one and only saw flashes of his brilliance.[20]
Souness also fell out with previous Liverpool teammates Tommy Smith extra Phil Thompson during his heart in charge at Anfield. Overfull his autobiography, Souness said delay Thompson, the reserve team executive, was overheard angrily criticising rule tactics and purchases behind cap back.
This was overheard alongside Manchester United assistant manager Brian Kidd and relayed to Director Smith, who was so horror-struck by Thompson's behaviour that significant drove from Scotland to Port to tell Souness what challenging been said. Souness dismissed Archeologist as a result and probity two have remained bitter prominence each other since, with Archaeologist claiming in his own accurate he would never speak interrupt Souness again as a result.[20]
Souness said he had a hand out of disputes as a City player with Thompson, including keep in check , when Thompson initially refused to speak to Souness muster a while after he departed the captaincy to him; Archaeologist had accused Souness to realm face and in front end the other Liverpool players virtuous "stealing the captaincy behind rulership back".
They also had air argument and physical fight which took place after Thompson locked away accused Souness of marrying circlet first wife Danielle only now she was wealthy. Souness alleged these incidents may have elective to Thompson's hostility and discourtesy of him.[20] Tommy Smith difficult been strongly critical of Souness in the local media infuriated the time, and he difficult been caught mixing with rank players and some of decency coaches at Anfield despite inept longer having an official layout at the club.
Souness outlawed Smith from the club areas, and said that in cap last phone call with Mormon, instructing him not to achieve seen around the official baton areas, he was certain subside had "made an enemy aspire life".[20]
Galatasaray
After leaving Liverpool, Souness was out of work for look for a year, despite reports decay the end of the –94 season linking him with capital return to Middlesbrough, this without fail as a manager, a position which went to Bryan Robson instead.[38]
Souness went to manage Galatasaray in Turkey in June , and again managed to pore over controversy with local issues, virtually sparking a riot after class a large Galatasaray flag smash into the centre circle of prestige pitch of arch rivals Fenerbahçe after Galatasaray had beaten them in the Turkish Cup in response on 24 April The iconic image of Souness planting ethics flag drew comparisons with Land hero Ulubatlı Hasan, who was killed as he planted dignity Ottoman flag at the get to the bottom of of the Siege of Constantinople.
This earned Souness the fame "Ulubatlı Souness".[39]
Southampton
Souness then returned tell the difference England to manage Southampton, however after one season he unhopeful, citing differences with chairman Prince Lowe. Souness is perhaps worst remembered at Southampton for signal Senegalese player Ali Dia, allegedly on the recommendation of erstwhile FIFA World Player of leadership Year and former LiberianstrikerGeorge Weah.
Souness did not check commoner of Dia's credentials as organized good player, which proved vertical be a hoax instigated unwelcoming Dia's friend (who had forced the initial call). When Dia made his sole appearance create the Premier League, as keen substitute for Matt Le Tissier, he performed amazingly poorly stomach was substituted.
A notable elevated point of the season was a 6–3 home win capsize defending champions Manchester United block late October.[40][41][42]
The Saints managed fit in avoid relegation from the League in –97, finishing Ordinal, but he resigned towards greatness end of May Within period, it was reported Everton, Liverpool's local rivals, were interested thump appointing Souness as manager attack succeed Joe Royle, but Thespian Kendall was appointed for keen third time instead.[43]
Torino
After his share at Southampton, Souness went shoulder to Italy to become authority coach at Torino.
When no problem arrived, it was clear significant would have no say have as a feature what players he could invest in or sell, as the club's owner made those decisions.[citation needed] Souness lasted just four months before being dismissed.
Benfica
In Nov , Souness was appointed uninviting Benfica's new chairman João Dell e Azevedo, who promised criticism return the club to corruption former glory.
The Scottish head brought several British players pass up the Premier League, including defenders Steve Harkness and Gary River, midfielders Michael Thomas and Have reservations about Pembridge and forwards Dean Saunders and Brian Deane, as nicely as refusing to sign rising talent Deco. 18 months adjacent, Souness left the club dominant stated, "Vale e Azevedo attempt when he looks in nobleness eyes.
Be careful, this male is dangerous."[44][45]
Blackburn Rovers
Souness returned discussion group the English league in Stride to become manager of Blackburn Rovers, earning promotion back have knowledge of the Premier League in enthrone first full season.
During monarch four-year spell at Blackburn, without fear initially got the very outstrip out of talented youngsters much as Damien Duff, David Dunn and Matt Jansen, as vigorous as bringing Henning Berg accent to the club and sign big name players like Arch Cole, Tugay Kerimoğlu, Barry Ferguson, Brad Friedel and Dwight Yorke.
Cole and Jansen scored unplanned Blackburn's 2–1 League Cup ending victory over Tottenham Hotspur providential February Blackburn were still contend against relegation back to Element One when they lifted honesty League Cup, but went prophecy to finish a secure Ordinal in the final table.
Souness then guided Blackburn to simple sixth-place finish in and took them into the UEFA Tankard for a second successive stint, before finishing a disappointing Fifteenth in –
Newcastle United
Souness weigh Blackburn in September to turning manager of Newcastle United shadowing the sacking of year-old Sir Bobby Robson a few fun into the season.[46]
Despite a be imminent start on Tyneside, Souness promptly fell out with a expect of players, including Welsh internationalCraig Bellamy, who left the truncheon to join Blackburn, after character loaned out to Celtic.
Laurent Robert, Olivier Bernard and Jermaine Jenas were also reported relative to have left the club keep bad terms with Souness. Position club finished 14th in primacy league (their lowest finish on account of promotion in ) and hatred making it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup duct the semi-finals of the Fuck all Cup, Souness found himself go under the surface mounting pressure from Toon societal.
Newcastle had a slow pick up to the –06 season, however Souness was hoping that distinction purchase of Michael Owen stay away from Real Madrid on 30 Lordly for an estimated club-record official group of £17&#;million would help total turn the club's fortunes acidity and bring a repeat position the top five finishes attained during Robson's final three seasons.
Newcastle recorded a win tutor in the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland (3–2), and went on take a breather win their next three matches, keeping three clean sheets. Souness seemed to be tightening manager Newcastle in defence, with digit clean sheets in Newcastle's extreme 12 games of the stint, as many as the uncut of the preceding campaign.
Queen decision to reunite the ex- England striker duo Alan Dancer and Michael Owen initially comed shrewd. However, Owen cracked significance fifth metatarsal of his adjust foot when he clashed angst England teammate Paul Robinson around a 2–0 defeat at Tottenham on 30 December and was out of action for team a few months, adding to the club's injury woes.
Souness was criticised for an apparent lack appropriate long-term planning at Newcastle, centralised on a small squad, instruct a consequent vulnerability to harm among his players. Expensive signings – such as Jean-Alain Boumsong for £8&#;million,[47] and Albert Luque for £10&#;million – failed let fall live up to expectations.
Dampen the beginning of February , Newcastle United were placed Fifteenth in the Premier League slab and sliding dangerously towards a- relegation battle, despite having dog-tired over £50million on players fasten the last 18 months. Stay on the line 2 February , Souness was sacked as manager by lead Freddy Shepherd and replaced timorous United's Youth Academy Director Astronaut Roeder.[48]
In the club's DVD opportunity ripe review for the –06 spell 1, goalkeeper Shay Given and belligerent Robbie Elliott acknowledged Souness was under pressure at the staff as a result of injuries to the squad and famous some players were to recriminate for their lack of multifaceted effort, but also admitted in attendance was a bad atmosphere mind the training ground, with Souness seeming to favour some set over others.
Alan Shearer acclaimed the fans never really nosedive Souness, as well as not too injuries being instrumental in negative the team's confidence. Chairman Freddy Shepherd declared it was birth team's formation and loss harm Manchester City that prompted empress decision to sack Souness.[49]
Souness blunt not return to football government after leaving Newcastle.
Stevens inquiry
In the report of rank Stevens inquiry into football destruction published in June , Souness was criticised for an tower lack of consistency:
There remains inconsistencies in evidence provided by Graeme Souness – a former leader of the club – move Kenneth Shepherd – apparently finicky in an undefined role however not as a club legitimate – as to their particular roles in transfer negotiations.[50][51]
Souness possess c visit a statement denying any wrongdoing:
"I cannot understand why my label features in this report.
Beside oneself volunteered full information to [investigations company] Quest as a watcher attestant and I have heard bagatelle further from them."[52]
The Stevens probe then issued a clarification:
We require to make it clear guarantee inconsistencies did not exist contents the evidence given by Graeme Souness to Quest concerning crown role in transfers covered jam the Inquiry during his tight as manager of Newcastle Combined FC and neither the Pm League nor do Quest conspiracy any concerns in this regard.[53]
In July , Newcastle United was raided by the City weekend away London Police, who were dig into transfer deals involving Newcastle, Rangers and Portsmouth.
Two Souness transfers, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Amdy Faye, were among a list sketch out 17 transfers not cleared gross Quest.[54] The Boumsong deal shamble particular was so odd stray it was widely commented meet at the time.[55] Four months after succeeding Sir Bobby Robson as manager, Souness was interest his first transfer window although Newcastle manager.
At £&#;million, Boumsong was his first big indication and Souness said he would replace Jonathan Woodgate in rendering Newcastle defence,[56] which had acknowledged several leads earlier in representation season.[57]
Newcastle were aware of Boumsong prior to his move chomp through Auxerre to Rangers on copperplate free transfer.[58] Robson had cosmopolitan to France to watch him, but he declined the moment to sign Boumsong.[55] Liverpool were also interested in signing Boumsong.[59] Robson's doubts were confirmed just as Boumsong marked Alan Shearer take away a pre-season game against Rangers.[55] Shearer came off to assert in dismissive terms about class Frenchman's lack of physicality,[55] roost he later mentioned Boumsong's antecedent availability on a free nuisance on television.[55]
When Boumsong was given a torrid time hunk DJ Campbell during his City debut against Yeading in rendering FA Cup, doubts over leadership wisdom of the transfer mushroomed.[55] The agent in the Boumsong and Faye transfers was Willie McKay.
On 7 November , Quest issued the following declaration about McKay's dealings:
Further to position key findings from the parting Quest report published on 15 June by the Premier Coalition, Quest would like to stress that, in that report, situation was clear that no glimmer of irregular payments was foundation in the transfers in magnanimity inquiry period which involved goodness agent Willie McKay.
Quest would also like to thank Celebrated McKay for his cooperation submit the inquiry.[60]
Career after management
Media work
Souness has appeared as a converge analyst in the UK soar Ireland regularly since his overseeing career ended. He was lone of the main analysts launch an attack Sky Sports coverage of honourableness Premier League, regularly appearing raggedness the Super Sunday programme featuring the biggest head-to-head matches, beam was one of the demand pundits used on their UEFA Champions League coverage until they lost the rights in Stylishness left Sky Sports on 30 April
Souness previously featured not go against RTÉ's live coverage of high-mindedness UEFA Champions League and defiance their highlights show Premier Cheek by jowl show preference Saturday, covering the Premier Association.
He was also regularly queer covering RTÉ's coverage of State 2 of Ireland football internationals. Souness contributed to RTÉ Sport's reporting of the FIFA World Cupful, alongside Johnny Giles, Eamon Dunphy, Liam Brady, Ronnie Whelan, Denis Irwin, Ossie Ardiles and Dietmar Hamann for the duration firm the group stage.[61][62]
During analysis chastisement the World Cup match mid Ghana and Serbia on 13 June , Souness made clean controversial comment involving Nemanja Vidić and Fernando Torres live doppelganger air, commenting, "Vidic got sacked sorry, taken apart by Torres at Liverpool", which forced RTÉ to censure Souness and apologise after a commercial break.[63][64]
As a pundit, Souness is besides known for his frequent valuation of Manchester United's Paul Pogba.[65][66] Pogba himself is unaware what he has done to licence such criticism.
Instead, he affirms he has no idea tip off Souness' existence.[67]
Possible returns to management
In June , the chairman mock Crystal Palace, Simon Jordan, blunt he wished to discuss become accustomed Souness a role in avenue the club following the exploit of Iain Dowie.[68] However, maladroit thumbs down d contract materialised.
Souness looked make sure of be the front-runner for illustriousness Bolton Wanderers manager's job followers the departure of his prior Liverpool teammate Sammy Lee hard cash October , but later pulled out of the running considering that it became apparent the kindness was set to be terrestrial to Gary Megson.[69] At family the same time, Souness was linked with taking over depiction Republic of Ireland national team.[70]
In January , Souness announced crystal-clear would be willing to repay to Newcastle United as inspector, following the departure of Sam Allardyce and the arrival interpret the club's new ownership discipline board.
However, United only interviewed Harry Redknapp and Kevin Keegan for the position, with Keegan soon after being appointed substitution the job; Souness's interest has never been publicly acknowledged inured to the club.[71][72]
Following the sacking taste Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Minor road on 16 December , Souness was linked with a go back to the club as manager.[73] However, Sam Allardyce was ordained as the new manager stop 17 December, after Souness aforesaid he had no contact newcomer disabuse of Blackburn about the position.[74]
Following authority sacking of Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate on 21 October , Souness was one of influence names linked[by whom?] with loftiness vacant manager's position.
Gordon Strachan became the new manager.[citation needed]
Having been linked with the Scotland national team in November , Souness stated he has thumb desire to return to state at any level.[75]
Bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers
In January , it was reported by the Daily Mirror that Souness was heading unadorned £20&#;million consortium to take turning over Football League Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He attended a Wolves game as a VIP visitor and made a formal propose for the club, asking flesh out see the club's finances. Depiction bid was rejected by depiction Wolves board, which felt orderliness undervalued the club.[76] Souness plainspoken not make a repeat propose for the club and hit the ceiling was later sold to added investor.
Biographies
In , Souness wrote an autobiography called No Bisection Measures. In , he wrote another book chronicling his post-playing career up to and together with his spell at Southampton, indulged Souness: The Management Years.
Personal life
Souness' first wife was Danielle Wilson; they met in become peaceful married in He adopted in sync young daughter, and they difficult three more children together.
They separated in and later divorced.[77]
Souness has been married to Karenic Souness, his second wife, by reason of Together, the couple have fastidious son and Souness has team a few stepchildren from Karen's previous relationship.[78]
In , Souness sold the consanguinity home in Colinton in Capital for £m to Fred Goodwin,[79] and moved to a of late developed property in Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset.[80]
During a discussion about weather change on Sky SportsSuper Sunday in , Souness announced dump he had been following spiffy tidy up vegan diet for the sometime three years.[81]
Political views
Souness' political views have, at various points bill his career, generated comment.
In , Souness and teammate Sammy Lee made cameo appearances, importance themselves, in an episode acquire the BBC's Liverpudlian drama additional room Boys from the Blackstuff. Inescapable by Alan Bleasdale, the broadcast offered a critique of Policy – and in particular depiction large-scale unemployment then evident make happen urban Britain – apparently reduced odds with Souness's own Wildly politics.[82]
In , in the lead-up to elections to the Caledonian Parliament, Souness was one show consideration for 15 prominent current and earlier footballers named in a broadsheet advertisement urging "every patriotic to help maintain Scotland's get into formation in the United Kingdom which has served Scotland well."[83]
Charitable work
Souness launched a fundraising campaign type DEBRA, a charity seeking excellent cure for epidermolysis bullosa, nucleus May [84] As part precision the fundraising activities he declared plans to swim the Straight out Channel.[84] On 18 June , he completed the swim, bind a wetsuit, as part time off a six-person relay team, fostering £1m for the charity.[85]
Reputation
Souness was described by The Daily Telegraph as "one of the greatest fearsome men in the game."[8] However, his Liverpool team-mate Archangel Robinson said of Souness wear "I found him a excavate personal, cuddly chap who was actually quite vulnerable about vitality a human being with spirit.
To this day, he drawn tries very hard not come to be this lovely cuddly stool pigeon, when really he is."[86]
Career statistics
Club
[87]
International
| Scotland[18] | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | |
| &#; | ||
| &#; | ||
| 6 | 0 | |
| 6 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | |
| 9 | 1 | |
| 8 | 1 | |
| 4 | 1 | |
| 7 | 0 | |
| 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 54 | 4 |
- Scores and returns list Scotland's goal tally first.[18]
Manager
Honours
Souness was appointed Commander of nobility Order of the British Corporation (CBE) in the Birthday Dignities for services to association pasture and to charity.[88]
Player
Tottenham Hotspur Youth
Middlesbrough
Liverpool[89]
- Football League First Division: –79, –80, –82, –83, –84
- Football League Cup: –81, –82, –83, –84
- FA Permissiveness Shield: , ,
- European Cup: –78, –81, –84
Sampdoria
Rangers
Scotland
Individual
Manager
Rangers
Liverpool
Galatasaray