Russell Slade

Russell Slade
Slade as manager of Cardiff City in 2016
Personal information
Full name Russell Mark Slade[1]
Date of birth (1960-10-10) 10 October 1960 (age 64)[2]
Place of birth Reading, England
Managerial career
Years Team
1994–1995 Notts County (caretaker)
1995–1996 Armitage
1996 Leicester United
1998 Sheffield United (caretaker)
1999 Sheffield United (caretaker)
2001–2004 Scarborough
2004–2006 Grimsby Town
2006–2009 Yeovil Town
2009 Brighton & Hove Albion
2010–2014 Leyton Orient
2014–2016 Cardiff City
2016 Charlton Athletic
2016–2017 Coventry City
2017–2018 Grimsby Town
2019–2020 Hereford

Russell Mark Slade (born 10 October 1960) is an English former professional football manager and coach.

Having had an extended career at reserve team level, Slade entered professional sports coaching with Notts County in 1993. He briefly took charge of the club as caretaker manager during the 1994–95 season. Slade then had spells in charge of non-league sides Armitage and Leicester United before joining the coaching staff of Sheffield United in 1997. He had two spells as caretaker manager of The Blades in 1998 and 1999 before the appointment of Neil Warnock. In 2001, he took over the managerial post at Conference National side Scarborough before later moving to Grimsby Town in 2004 and Yeovil Town in 2006. He was appointed manager of Brighton & Hove Albion in 2009 but the stay was brief and he was dismissed in November 2009.

In 2010, Slade was appointed manager of Leyton Orient and he led the club to two 7th-place finishes, an FA Cup fifth round replay against Arsenal and took the O's to the 2014 play-off final – a feat which saw win the LMA League 1 Manager of the Year award. He left Orient to take charge of Championship side Cardiff City, and spent two years in charge of the side, finishing in 11th and 8th positions, before being appointed the club's head of football. He resigned from the role after only two weeks and, in June 2016, was appointed manager of Charlton Athletic. He then went on to manage Coventry City, before returning to Grimsby Town once again between 2017 and 2018. His final managerial role to date was with non-league side Hereford, whom he departed in 2020.

Slade developed a reputation for being an effective man manager,[3] and a very savvy operator within the transfer market who never bought a player whilst at Leyton Orient, instead bringing in a number of players on free transfers.[4]

Career

Background

Slade started out as a PE teacher at Frank Wheldon School after studying Sport at Edge Hill University.[5]

Notts County

Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager in January 1995, Slade stayed on as his assistant.

Sheffield United

Slade was then appointed manager of Midland Alliance side Armitage, then moving on to Southern Football League side Leicester United before having two separate spells as caretaker manager at Sheffield United.

Scarborough

Slade's first permanent managerial post was at Football Conference side Scarborough. When he arrived in November 2001 the club was adrift at the bottom of the Conference and looking doomed. His first match in charge resulted in a home win over Farnborough Town but the next three games yielded just one point. However a remarkable run of 39 points from the final 19 games of the season meant Scarborough finished 12th. He was hailed as a hero by the fans and his stock rose when taking the team to 4th position by Christmas in the 2002–03 season. In January 2003, two days after the club went into administration, Slade tendered his resignation. The fans presented a tearful Slade with a petition at the next game and on the Monday morning he changed his mind.

The following season saw mixed league performances, but a tremendous FA Cup run which saw victories over Hinckley United, Doncaster Rovers, Port Vale, and finally Southend United following a replay, meant a glamorous home tie in front of Premier League Chelsea. Despite losing 1–0 Slade's side had put up a tremendous battle.

Grimsby Town

At the end of the 2003–04 season, Grimsby Town decided not to renew the contract of manager Nicky Law following relegation into League Two. Slade was appointed as their new manager.[6] A mid-table finish ensued in the 2004–05 season but despite some disgruntled fans calling for his head, Grimsby spent most of the 2005–06 season in an automatic promotion spot in League Two, also managing to topple both Derby County and Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup.[7] Town eventually finished the season in 4th place and had to settle for the playoffs, following a late Northampton Town equaliser meant that Leyton Orient would finish the season in the final automatic promotion places. Despite guiding his team to a semi-final victory over local rivals Lincoln City, Slade was unable to secure promotion, Grimsby losing 1–0 in the final against Cheltenham Town in the Millennium Stadium.

Yeovil Town

Slade's success with Grimsby had attracted League One side Yeovil Town, and Slade was appointed as the Somerset club's new manager.[8] Slade led Yeovil to a surprise 5th-place finish play-off finish in the league, where they defeated favourites Nottingham Forest to reach the play-off final.[9] However, Yeovil lost the final against Blackpool 2–0.[10] Slade's successful first season at Yeovil saw him win the League One manager of the year award, and he was targeted by League One rivals Carlisle United and Millwall for their managerial positions but this interest was rejected by Yeovil chairman John Fry.[11]

Slade left his post at Yeovil on 16 February 2009, despite having won four consecutive matches immediately prior to this.[12] Slade had become frustrated with the club's lack of ambition, although the club chairman John Fry had previously stated that changes would be needed due to the current economic climate.[13]

Brighton and Hove Albion

On 6 March 2009, Slade was appointed manager of struggling Brighton & Hove Albion until the end of the season,[14] and succeeded in ensuring they avoided relegation from League One by beating Stockport 1–0 in the final game.[15] Slade signed a further two-year contract at Brighton in May 2009.[16]

Leyton Orient

Slade was appointed manager of Leyton Orient on 5 April 2010, six matches before the end of the season.[17] The club was in danger of being relegated from League One, but Slade revived the club's fortunes, helping Leyton Orient to take 10 points from their last six matches, resulting in them avoiding relegation by a single point. Slade was rewarded with a new two-year contract on 14 May[18] and the following season he guided Orient to seventh place, one point outside the play-off places, as well as a fifth round replay at Arsenal in the FA Cup. During the season, Orient chairman Barry Hearn rejected an approach from Barnsley for Slade. Leyton Orient were unable to match their previous year during the 2011–12 season and the club finished in 20th, but the next season Slade was able to guide them to another 7th-place finish.

On 7 June 2013, Leyton Orient announced that Slade, his assistant Kevin Nugent and chief scout Kevin Dearden had signed contract extensions to keep them at the club for a further three years, until the end of the 2015–16 season.[19]

Slade guided Orient to 3rd place finish in the 2013–14 season, seeing Orient finish within the play-off spots. After beating Peterborough United 3–2 in the semi-finals, Orient lost the final to Rotherham United on penalties at Wembley.

Cardiff City

On 6 October 2014, Slade was appointed manager of Championship side Cardiff City on a two-year contract, replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.[20] The job was the highest level that Slade had ever managed at.[21] Slade was tasked with reducing the club's wage bill, which was still inflated after the relegation from the Premier League in the previous season.[22] Seven first team players left the club in his first three months in charge. Slade became unpopular with a large section of supporters and crowd numbers fell dramatically during his tenure at the club, as he finished 11th in his first season and 8th in his second.[23] Despite his detractors, Slade insisted that the club had made progress under his stewardship and that he had "given the club stability".[24]

On 6 May 2016, Slade was removed from his position of manager, and was instead named the club's head of football.[25] He took charge of his last match for the Bluebirds on the final day of the 2015–16 season, drawing 1–1 with Birmingham City.[26] Paul Trollope, a member of Slade's coaching staff, was appointed as the new head coach, but did not report to Slade on any first team matters.[27] However, he resigned from the role on 3 June.[28]

Charlton Athletic

On 6 June 2016, Slade signed a three-year contract to be manager of Charlton Athletic following their relegation to League One.[29] On 14 November 2016, with the club in 15th place, the club announced that it had "parted company" with him, having won just five of the 21 games in all competitions of the season.[30]

Coventry City

On 21 December 2016, Slade signed a contract until the end of the season to be manager of Coventry City.[31] Slade joined with the club sitting 23rd in League One, amid protests by fans against the owners of the club. His first game in charge was a 4–1 defeat to Bristol Rovers on 26 December 2016.[32]

In February 2017, he led Coventry to the final of the EFL Trophy, after beating Wycombe Wanderers in the semi-final at the Ricoh Arena.[33]

The last minute equaliser by AFC Wimbledon on 14 February 2017 meant that Slade had equalled the record set by Noel Cantwell of nine games without a win at the start their reign as Coventry City manager.[34]

Slade managed to gain his first league victory at the tenth attempt in a 2–1 home victory over Gillingham; this victory also ended Coventry's 15 match winless streak.[35] He was sacked on 5 March 2017. He had managed Coventry for 16 games, of which they won only three.[36]

Return to Grimsby Town

On 12 April 2017, Slade was appointed manager of Grimsby Town for the second time.[37] Slade was sacked by Grimsby on 11 February 2018, after seeing the team fail to win in 12 league games, with eight losses, he left the team 17th in League Two.[38]

Hereford

In August 2019, after 18 months out of management, Slade joined National League North side Hereford as their new club manager. [39] On 20 January 2020, Slade left Hereford by mutual consent. [40]

Personal life

In 2021, Slade led a group of hundreds of footballers who were threatening legal advice against the data collection industry.[41]

Managerial statistics

As of match played 4 January 2020
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
P W D L Win %
Notts County 15 September 1994 12 January 1995 23 6 5 12 026.1 [42]
Sheffield United 2 March 1998 9 March 1998 2 0 1 1 000.0 [42]
Sheffield United 23 November 1999 2 December 1999 3 0 1 2 000.0 [42]
Scarborough 31 October 2001 28 May 2004 133 50 41 42 037.6 [42]
Grimsby Town 28 May 2004 31 May 2006 105 41 30 34 039.0 [42]
Yeovil Town 7 June 2006 16 February 2009 137 49 32 56 035.8 [42]
Brighton & Hove Albion 6 March 2009 1 November 2009 31 9 7 15 029.0 [42]
Leyton Orient 6 April 2010 24 September 2014 242 103 61 78 042.6 [42]
Cardiff City 7 October 2014 18 May 2016 86 32 27 27 037.2 [42]
Charlton Athletic 6 June 2016 14 November 2016 21 5 10 6 023.8 [42]
Coventry City 21 December 2016 7 March 2017 16 3 5 8 018.8 [42]
Grimsby Town 12 April 2017 11 February 2018 43 11 12 20 025.6 [42]
Hereford 29 August 2019 20 January 2020 23 5 8 10 021.7 [42]
Total 865 314 240 311 036.3 —

Honours

As a Manager

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Support Management Ltd". Dellam Corporate Information Limited. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Manager Profile - Russell Slade". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  3. ^ "Leyton Orient inspired to nation's only perfect record thanks to Russell Slade's inspirational team talks". Telegraph. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  4. ^ Paul Doyle. "Russell Slade: I don't half get a buzz from a good free transfer | Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. ^ Johnson, Simon (23 September 2010). "Russell Slade never complains about taking work home every night". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  6. ^ "Slade takes over at Grimsby". BBC Sport. 28 May 2004. Retrieved 14 October 2007.
  7. ^ "Grimsby 1–0 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  8. ^ "Slade appointed new Yeovil boss". BBC Sport. 7 June 2006. Retrieved 14 October 2007.
  9. ^ Sinnott, John (18 May 2007). "Nottingham Forest 2–5 Yeovil". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  10. ^ Hughes, Ian (27 May 2007). "Yeovil 0–2 Blackpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 October 2007.
  11. ^ "Yeovil reject Lions move for boss". BBC Sport. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2007.
  12. ^ "Yeovil split with manager Slade". BBC Sport. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2009.
  13. ^ "Glovers axe Slade". Sky Sports. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 16 February 2009.
  14. ^ "Slade appointed new Brighton boss". BBC Sport. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
  15. ^ "Brighton 1–0 Stockport". BBC Sport. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  16. ^ Camillin, Paul (4 May 2009). "Slade Confirmed as Albion Boss". Seagulls World. Archived from the original on 6 May 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2009. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  17. ^ "Russell Slade appointed as manager at Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 5 April 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  18. ^ "Russell Slade signs new Leyton Orient contract". BBC Sport. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
  19. ^ "Russell Slade: Leyton Orient manager extends contract". BBC Sport. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Cardiff City: Russell Slade confirmed as new manager". BBC Sport. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  21. ^ "Russell Slade is finally confirmed as Cardiff City's new manager". The Guardian. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Russell Slade: Cardiff City head of football leaves club with immediate effect". BBC Sport. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Cardiff City manager Russell Slade appointed head of football". The Guardian. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  24. ^ "Russell Slade: Manager waits to learn Cardiff City fate". BBC Sport. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  25. ^ "Cardiff City move manager Russell Slade to new role". BBC Sport. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  26. ^ "Cardiff 1–1 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  27. ^ "Paul Trollope to succeed Russell Slade as first-team boss". BBC Sport. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  28. ^ "Russell Slade: Cardiff City head of football leaves club with immediate effect". BBC Sport. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  29. ^ Long, Sam (6 June 2016). "Charlton Athletic appoint Russell Slade as new manager on three-year contract". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  30. ^ "Charlton Athletic has today parted company with manager Russell Slade". Charlton Athletic F.C. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  31. ^ "Russell Slade: Former Charlton boss appointed Coventry City manager". BBC Sport. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  32. ^ "Bristol Rovers 4–1 Coventry". BBC Sport. 26 December 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  33. ^ "EFL Trophy: Coventry City beat Wycombe Wanderers to reach final". BBC Sport. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  34. ^ Turner, Andy (15 February 2017). "First impressions on Yakubu's Coventry City debut and five other things we learned from a crushing result at AFC Wimbledon". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  35. ^ "Coventry 2–1 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  36. ^ "Russell Slade: Coventry City sack manager after 16 games in charge". BBC Sport. 5 March 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  37. ^ "Russell Slade: Grimsby Town appoint manager for second time". BBC Sport. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  38. ^ Treadwell, Matthew (11 February 2018). "Grimsby Town part company with manager Russell Slade". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  39. ^ Sands, Katie (29 August 2019). "Ex-Cardiff City boss Russell Slade unveiled as manager of National League North side Hereford FC". Wales Online. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  40. ^ Griffiths, Jamie (20 January 2020). "Bulls Chairman Confirms Departure of Russell Slade". Hereford FC. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  41. ^ "Professional footballers threaten data firms with GDPR legal action". BBC News. 11 October 2021.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Managers: Russell Slade". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  43. ^ "NEWS: Slade Wins Award". Leytonorient.com. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  44. ^ "Sky Bet Football League: Nigel Pearson, Russell Slade and Graham Alexander win awards | Football News". Sky Sports. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
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