1. Simon Nicholas Grayson was born on 16 December 1969 and is an English professional football manager and former player who is head coach of the Nepal Super League club Lalitpur City.
32 Facts About Simon Grayson
1. 2.
Simon Grayson was appointed as player-manager of Blackpool in 2005, and a year later retired from playing to concentrate on the managerial side of his job.
3.
Simon Grayson started playing football for Bedale FC after going through high school at Bedale High School.
4.
In June 1988 Simon Grayson began his career with the club he had supported as a boy, Leeds United.
5.
Simon Grayson signed for Leicester City in March 1992 and went on to make 229 appearances in five years.
6.
Simon Grayson then signed for Blackburn Rovers in July 1999, where he made 34 appearances in his first season.
7.
Simon Grayson lost his place in the team the following season and spent most of the next two years on loan, with spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Stockport County, Notts County and Bradford City.
8.
Simon Grayson signed for Blackpool on a free transfer on 19 July 2002.
9.
Simon Grayson made more than 100 appearances for the Seasiders and captained the side.
10.
Simon Grayson started his career at Blackpool in the right-back berth, but was moved to midfield by former boss Colin Hendry to bolster an area of weakness.
11.
Simon Grayson was named caretaker manager of the first team in November 2005, following the departure of Colin Hendry.
12.
Two days later, on 5 May 2007, Simon Grayson guided Blackpool to a final placing of third, and thus a place in the play-offs.
13.
In October 2007, Simon Grayson guided Blackpool to the fourth round of the League Cup for the club's first time in 35 years.
14.
In December 2007 Simon Grayson signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, following two years working without a formal contract.
15.
Simon Grayson was heavily linked with the vacant managerial post at Leeds United, with whom he started his playing career, following the dismissal of Gary McAllister in December 2008, but Blackpool refused permission for Leeds to speak to Simon Grayson.
16.
Simon Grayson was rewarded with his first Manager of the Month award while in charge at Leeds United for the month of December 2010.
17.
On 1 February 2012, Simon Grayson was dismissed by Leeds United due to lack of results he was getting.
18.
On 26 May 2012, Simon Grayson led Huddersfield to play-off victory over Sheffield United, gaining promotion to the Championship.
19.
Simon Grayson was dismissed by Huddersfield on 24 January 2013, following a run of 12 consecutive matches without victory stretching back to 17 November 2012.
20.
Simon Grayson was appointed manager of Preston North End on 18 February 2013 and went unbeaten in his first four games in charge.
21.
Simon Grayson then went on to keep the club clear of relegation with four games to go.
22.
In May 2014 Simon Grayson guided Preston North End into the League One play off semi-final against Rotherham United.
23.
Twelve months later, Simon Grayson guided Preston back to the second tier of English football after being absent for four years with a victory over Swindon Town in the League One play-off final.
24.
On 29 June 2017, Simon Grayson was named as the new manager of newly relegated Championship club Sunderland, replacing David Moyes, on a three-year contract.
25.
On 11 February 2018, Simon Grayson was announced as the manager of League One club Bradford City, following the dismissal of Stuart McCall.
26.
On 6 July 2019, the day after Terry McPhillips announced his resignation, Simon Grayson was appointed Blackpool manager on a two-year contract.
27.
Simon Grayson was sacked on 12 February 2020, after a spell of four points from a possible 27 brought them from 4th place to 15th in League One.
28.
Simon Grayson managed Kendal Town for one game in October 2020, covering for the self-isolating Chris Humphrey.
29.
On 31 January 2021, Simon Grayson was appointed manager of Fleetwood Town, following the departure of previous manager Joey Barton.
30.
Simon Grayson was appointed head coach of Nepal Super League club Lalitpur City on 2 February 2025.
31.
Simon Grayson led the team to their second consecutive Nepal Super League title on 26 April 2025.
32.
Simon Grayson is brother to former professional cricketer Paul Grayson.