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Kevin MacDonald (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Duncan MacDonald (born 22 November 1960, Inverness
, Scotland
) is a Scottish former footballer who played in the Liverpool
"double
" winning side of 1986.
He has also had spells in management, most recently as caretaker manager at Aston Villa
following the resignation of Martin O'Neill
on 9 August 2010. Prior to this, MacDonald worked as assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland
, with his ex-Liverpool
team-mate Steve Staunton
, who he used to coach at Aston Villa. In 1994, he also spent a short time as caretaker manager at Leicester City
.
from Leicester City
for £400,000 in November 1984. He had been discovered by Leicester while playing for the Highland League
side, Caledonian
.
He never commanded a regular spot at Anfield, but he was in the team at the right time, helping Liverpool to the First Division
title in 1986 and then to the "double" (only the third in the 20th century) when he helped them beat Everton
in the FA Cup
final at Wembley.
At the start of the following season, MacDonald broke his leg. By the time he recovered Kenny Dalglish
had settled on Steve McMahon
for the central midfield role and there was to be no way back into the Liverpool first team. He later had spells on loan at his old club Leicester and also at Rangers
. In June 1989 he made a permanent move to Coventry City
and played out his career. In April 1989, shortly before he left Liverpool, MacDonald, along with his team-mates, rallied round the bereaved families of the Hillsborough disaster
.
for a short period between the departure of Brian Little
and the arrival of Mark McGhee
.
manager Martin O'Neill
, he assumed the role of caretaker manager at the club. He had previously been the manager of Villa's successful reserve side
and assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national side under Steve Staunton. MacDonald has been employed by Aston Villa since 1995 and has held a number of different positions at the club.
MacDonald's first game as caretaker manager came at Villa Park
against West Ham United
on the opening day of the 2010–11 Premier League season
which Villa won 3–0 including the last goal for James Milner
as a Villa player. He then led Villa to a 1–1 draw in their Europa League qualifier first-leg match against Rapid Vienna
. His second league game in charge resulted in a 6–0 defeat to Newcastle United.
On 29 August the caretaker Villa boss saw his side win an entertaining contest against Everton 1–0.
It was reported by The Sun newspaper on 31 August that Macdonald has expressed a desire to manage Villa on a permanent basis. Despite these claims, Villa named Gérard Houllier
as their permanent manager on 8 September 2010; however, MacDonald remained in charge for the following two Premier League matches against Stoke City and Bolton due to Houllier having to work his notice with the French Football Federation.
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
) is a Scottish former footballer who played in the Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
"double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
" winning side of 1986.
He has also had spells in management, most recently as caretaker manager at Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
following the resignation of Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
on 9 August 2010. Prior to this, MacDonald worked as assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
, with his ex-Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
team-mate Steve Staunton
Steve Staunton
Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
, who he used to coach at Aston Villa. In 1994, he also spent a short time as caretaker manager at Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
.
Club career
MacDonald joined LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
from Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
for £400,000 in November 1984. He had been discovered by Leicester while playing for the Highland League
Highland League
Highland League may refer to:* Highland Football League, which operates in the north of Scotland* Highland Land League which fought for tenants rights* Highland Alliance League, a small rugby union competition in the north of Scotland...
side, Caledonian
Caledonian F.C.
Caledonian Football Club was a football club from the city of Inverness, Highland, Scotland.-Formation:Caledonian Football Club was formed in 1885 by lads from the 'Big Green' area of Inverness, though some sources quote 1886. They were founder members of the Highland Football League in 1893 and...
.
He never commanded a regular spot at Anfield, but he was in the team at the right time, helping Liverpool to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
title in 1986 and then to the "double" (only the third in the 20th century) when he helped them beat Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
final at Wembley.
At the start of the following season, MacDonald broke his leg. By the time he recovered Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
had settled on Steve McMahon
Steve McMahon
Stephen Joseph McMahon is an English former football midfielder who most notably played for Liverpool in the late 1980s...
for the central midfield role and there was to be no way back into the Liverpool first team. He later had spells on loan at his old club Leicester and also at Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. In June 1989 he made a permanent move to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and played out his career. In April 1989, shortly before he left Liverpool, MacDonald, along with his team-mates, rallied round the bereaved families of the Hillsborough disaster
Hillsborough disaster
The Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough, a football stadium, the home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in Sheffield, England, resulting in the deaths of 96 people, and 766 being injured, all fans of Liverpool F.C....
.
Leicester City
In November 1994, MacDonald was named caretaker manager of Leicester CityLeicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
for a short period between the departure of Brian Little
Brian Little (footballer)
Brian Little is an English former football player and manager who is currently without a job after being relieved of his duties as manager of Gainsborough Trinity on 22 August 2011. Little has previously managed Darlington, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City,...
and the arrival of Mark McGhee
Mark McGhee
Mark Edward McGhee is a former Scottish professional football player. McGhee started his career at Greenock Morton in 1975 and spent spells at clubs including Newcastle United, Aberdeen, Hamburg, Celtic, IK Brage and Reading...
.
Aston Villa
In August 2010, following the immediate resignation of former Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
manager Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
, he assumed the role of caretaker manager at the club. He had previously been the manager of Villa's successful reserve side
Aston Villa F.C. Reserves and Academy
Aston Villa Reserves are the reserve team of Aston Villa, they have been part of the FA Premier Reserve League since its foundation in 1999 and are current holders of the Premier Reserve League South title. The team plays its home games at Villa Park - during the months of Autumn and Spring - and...
and assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national side under Steve Staunton. MacDonald has been employed by Aston Villa since 1995 and has held a number of different positions at the club.
MacDonald's first game as caretaker manager came at Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
on the opening day of the 2010–11 Premier League season
2010–11 Premier League
The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...
which Villa won 3–0 including the last goal for James Milner
James Milner
Milner was described as a "first class" student at his school; he left with 11 GCSEs and an award for his performance in physical education. Milner also showed talent in cricket, sprinting and long-distance running...
as a Villa player. He then led Villa to a 1–1 draw in their Europa League qualifier first-leg match against Rapid Vienna
SK Rapid Wien
The Sportklub Rapid Wien is an Austrian football club playing in the country's capital city of Vienna. Rapid is the most popular club in Austria and also record title holder having won the Austrian national football title 32 times...
. His second league game in charge resulted in a 6–0 defeat to Newcastle United.
On 29 August the caretaker Villa boss saw his side win an entertaining contest against Everton 1–0.
It was reported by The Sun newspaper on 31 August that Macdonald has expressed a desire to manage Villa on a permanent basis. Despite these claims, Villa named Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier, OBE , is a French football manager, who was last manager of Premier League club Aston Villa. He stepped down on 1 June 2011, following hospitalisation over heart problems towards the end of the 2010-2011 season....
as their permanent manager on 8 September 2010; however, MacDonald remained in charge for the following two Premier League matches against Stoke City and Bolton due to Houllier having to work his notice with the French Football Federation.
Managerial stats
- Competitive matches only – Correct as of 18 September 2010
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W% | ||||
| Leicester City Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... (caretaker) |
 |
22 November 1994 | 14 December 1994 |
||||||||
| Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... (caretaker) |
|
9 August 2010 | 19 September 2010 |
||||||||
| Total |
|||||||||||