25 Facts About Willie Donachie

William Donachie was born on 5 October 1951 and is a Scottish former professional footballer.

Willie Donachie had a long playing career, the majority of which was with Manchester City.

Willie Donachie played for Norwich City, Burnley, Oldham Athletic and Portland Timbers.

Willie Donachie played 35 times for Scotland and was selected in two FIFA World Cup squads.

Towards the end of his playing career Willie Donachie became a player-coach at Oldham, working with Joe Royle.

Willie Donachie has since worked for numerous teams in coaching roles.

Willie Donachie made his first team debut in February 1970 and replaced Glyn Pardoe at left-back in City's side and quickly established himself as a regular in the side.

Willie Donachie won the 1972 FA Charity Shield, played in two League Cup finals for City and went on to make 347 appearances before leaving in 1979 to play for NASL side Portland Timbers.

Willie Donachie went on to win 35 full caps for Scotland and played in the 1978 World Cup finals.

In July 1984, Willie Donachie joined Oldham Athletic where he became player-assistant manager to Joe Royle.

Under Royle and Willie Donachie Oldham enjoyed considerable success at Boundary Park, taking the unfashionable minnows to the Premier League, League Cup Final and epic FA Cup semi-finals against Manchester United in the early 1990s.

When Royle left to manage Everton in 1995, Willie Donachie followed as his assistant.

Willie Donachie then had a stint as first team coach at Sheffield United.

In May 2001, Royle was sacked, but Willie Donachie opted to stay at Manchester City as first team coach under new manager Kevin Keegan.

Willie Donachie resigned from his post at Hillsborough on 28 October 2002 to link up again with Joe Royle, who by now was manager of Ipswich Town.

Willie Donachie left Portman Road in June 2006 after Jim Magilton was appointed as manager, this coming after Willie Donachie had stated his interest in the job himself, and joined Millwall as assistant to Nigel Spackman.

Willie Donachie was appointed manager of Millwall on 22 November 2006, after being caretaker manager following Spackman's sacking on 25 September 2006.

On 19 March 2007, Willie Donachie signed a two-year deal as manager.

Willie Donachie was sacked by Millwall in October 2007, after a run of poor results left the club bottom of Football League One.

Willie Donachie then took charge of the Antigua and Barbuda national team for a couple of games against Cuba in late 2008.

In December 2009, Willie Donachie was appointed assistant director at Newcastle United's academy.

In October 2014, Willie Donachie was appointed assistant manager at Hartlepool United.

Willie Donachie then became the head coach for Temecula FC in the National Premier Soccer League.

Willie Donachie joined Accrington Stanley in June 2017 as a youth technical coach.

Willie Donachie was appointed head coach of the women's team at Southport FC in September 2023.