19 Facts About Bob Houghton

Robert Douglas Houghton was born on 30 October 1947 and is an English football manager and former player.

Bob Houghton's career has spanned over 30 years and 10 countries.

Bob Houghton is most famous for taking Swedish club Malmo FF to the 1979 European Cup final, where they lost to Nottingham Forest.

Bob Houghton was one of the youngest coaches ever to manage in English senior football, being appointed player-manager of Hastings United in the Southern League at only 23.

Bob Houghton became the manager of Swedish top flight side Malmo FF in 1974.

Bob Houghton won the Swedish championship and Svenska Cupen several times and was runner-up in the Intercontinental Cup in 1979 as Nottingham Forest declined to participate, losing against Olimpia from Paraguay.

Bob Houghton's early coaching career was closely linked to that of his friend Roy Hodgson.

Bob Houghton moved to Sweden with Malmo in 1974 and two years later installed Hodgson at Halmstad.

Bob Houghton's spell at Ashton Gate Stadium was unsuccessful as the financially stricken club were relegated and Houghton resigned after a defeat to Wimbledon.

Bob Houghton then managed in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad before returning to Sweden at Orgryte IS and Malmo FF again.

Bob Houghton then assumed control of the Chinese national team in late 1997, who had just failed to qualify for the 1998 World Cup.

China were placed second in the Dynasty Cup very shortly after Bob Houghton took over, and he developed a reputation for being able to implement an effective technical football program for struggling teams.

Bob Houghton later had several spells as a club manager in China and was a coaching instructor.

Bob Houghton had a spell in charge of Uzbekistan in 2005 when he was charged with qualifying for the 2006 World Cup though his attempt failed after losing a controversial play-off tie against Bahrain.

Bob Houghton's appointment saw a general progress in India's performances crowned by victory in the Nehru Cup in August 2007.

Bob Houghton oversaw the Indian team to its second consecutive Nehru Cup trophy win in 2009.

Bob Houghton resigned in 2010 after not being able to reach a new contract deal.

Bob Houghton later confirmed that his contract had been renewed until 2013, but hinted that he might review his decision after the 2011 Asian Cup.

On 23 April 2011, Bob Houghton tendered his immediate resignation as the India national team coach, which the AIFF accepted.