Alexander McLeish was born on 21 January 1959 and is a Scottish professional football manager and former player.
38 Facts About Alex McLeish
2.
Alex McLeish played as a defender for Aberdeen during their 1980s glory years, making nearly 500 League appearances for the club, and won 77 caps for Scotland.
3.
Alex McLeish spent ten months as manager of the Scotland national team which narrowly failed to qualify for the finals of the 2008 UEFA European championship.
4.
Alex McLeish then resigned this post in November 2007 to become manager of Birmingham City, who were in the Premier League at the time.
5.
Alex McLeish was appointed manager of Championship club Nottingham Forest in December 2012, but left after 40 days by mutual consent.
6.
Alex McLeish then had a second stint as Scotland national team manager.
7.
In recognition of his distinguished service to Scottish sport, in 2008 Alex McLeish was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Aberdeen.
8.
Alex McLeish spent the majority of his first two seasons at Aberdeen in the reserves and had a loan spell at local Junior side Lewis United.
9.
Alex McLeish made his competitive debut under Billy McNeill in a New Year fixture against Dundee United on 2 January 1978.
10.
However Alex McLeish eventually made the centre-back position his own, and over the next seven seasons he enjoyed great success, winning eight domestic and two European trophies.
11.
Alex McLeish won the Scottish player of the year in 1990, after a season in which Aberdeen won both domestic cups.
12.
Alex McLeish became captain of Aberdeen after the retirement of Willie Miller.
13.
Alex McLeish is Scotland's third most capped player, having gained 77 international caps between 1980 and 1993.
14.
Alex McLeish was first capped for the Scotland under-21 team while still a reserve player at Aberdeen by his former club manager Ally MacLeod, eventually gaining six caps at that level.
15.
Alex McLeish played in three World Cups with Scotland, in 1982,1986 and 1990.
16.
Alex McLeish is a member of the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, the Scotland national football team roll of honour and Scottish Television's fan poll Scotland's Greatest Team.
17.
Alex McLeish resigned as manager to take over at Hibernian in 1998.
18.
Alex McLeish took over a struggling Hibernian side, which was relegated from the Scottish Premier Division in 1998 despite a slight upturn in fortunes under Alex McLeish.
19.
Alex McLeish then guided the Edinburgh team back to the Scottish Premier League at the first attempt by winning the First Division championship.
20.
Alex McLeish attracted players such as Russell Latapy and former French international Franck Sauzee to Hibs.
21.
Alex McLeish helped develop young striker Kenny Miller, who would later go on to play for Scotland.
22.
Alex McLeish was an instant success at Rangers, winning both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup in his first season, but the big prize of the league title was essentially lost before his arrival.
23.
Alex McLeish was consequently put under pressure from fans after his poor signings and a record run of seven consecutive Old Firm derby losses to Celtic.
24.
Alex McLeish's team won the 2005 league title on a dramatic last day, an outcome that had looked highly unlikely after Rangers fell five points behind leaders Celtic with just four games remaining.
25.
Alex McLeish made a number of signings, including Julien Rodriguez and Ian Murray, despite having little money to spend.
26.
On 9 February 2006, it was announced by chairman David Murray that Alex McLeish would be standing down as manager at the end of that season.
27.
Alex McLeish said after leaving Rangers that he would not manage another Scottish club, because he felt that he had achieved everything in the Scottish game.
28.
Alex McLeish was linked in the media with a number of managerial positions in England while he worked as a television pundit for the BBC and Setanta Sports.
29.
Alex McLeish took charge of the Scotland national team on 29 January 2007.
30.
Alex McLeish said he wanted to return to working with players on a daily basis and had "always harboured a desire" to manage in the Premier League.
31.
The directors confirmed that Alex McLeish would keep his job, and would be expected to return the club to the Premier League at the first opportunity.
32.
Alex McLeish however opted to quit Birmingham City on 12 June 2011 by email.
33.
Alex McLeish made out of favour Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given his first signing, and then recruited winger Charles N'Zogbia.
34.
Alex McLeish's side secured a surprise win over Chelsea just before signing LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane on loan.
35.
Alex McLeish was appointed manager of Football League Championship club Nottingham Forest on 27 December 2012.
36.
Alex McLeish stated in November 2013 that he would like to re-enter football management in some capacity, in England, Scotland or abroad.
37.
Alex McLeish was appointed manager of Egyptian Premier League club Zamalek on 28 February 2016.
38.
Alex McLeish was reappointed Scotland manager on 16 February 2018, on a two-year contract.