John Toshack

Footballing legend and manager of Wales

Born:

22 MAR 1949

Place of Birth:

Cardiff

Famous For:

Footballing legend and manager of Wales

Biography:

The nation's hopes of footballing glory are now in the hands of one of its most successful players and managers.

Toshack came to fame as a striker for his home town club Cardiff City.

Their youngest ever League player at the age of 16, he soon became a Ninian Park hero, averaging nearly a goal every other game.

In November 1970 he was controversially sold to Liverpool for £110,000, an event many fans still consider as the day the Bluebirds gave up on the big time.

Forming a lethal striking partnership with Kevin Keegan, Toshack played a key role in Liverpool's success at home and abroad in the 1970s.

However, his six year stint at Anfield was dogged by injury, which kept him out of the European Cup winning teams of 1977 and 1978.

The former schoolboy international was also a regular for Wales, winning 40 caps and scoring 13 goals.

Toshack returned to Wales in 1979 on a free transfer, taking up the post of player-coach at Swansea City. The club began a meteoric rise from the Fourth to First Division, but soon slid back down again.

Nevertheless, Toshack's achievements attracted the attentions of club chairmen on the continent, Sporting Lisbon being his first port of call in 1984.

He found great success in the Basque country of northern Spain, where he turned small-town club Real Sociedad into championship winners.

He had three spells as the club's manager, while his travels also took him to Real Madrid (twice), Sporting Lisbon, Deportivo La Coruna, Turkish side Besiktas and St Etienne, Catania in Italy, and most recently back in Spain at Real Murcia.

One of Toshack's least happy experiences was his previous one-month spell in charge of Wales in 1994 following the dismissal of Terry Yorath.

He quit as technical director after his single game in charge - a friendly against Norway at Ninian Park - was marked by supporters' chants in support of Yorath.

Toshack's abrupt departure and the critical nature of his subsequent TV punditry made it seem as if he had well and truly burnt his boats.

But with few other candidates offering such a level of managerial experience and success, the FAW have let bygones be bygones and given Toshack the task of taking Wales into the finals of a major tournament.

Moment of Glory:

Too many to mention - Liverpool? Swansea? Real Madrid?

Off the Record:

He infamously posed with Kevin Keegan as Batman and Robin for a national newspaper photograph.

your comments

Lyn Burns from Liverpool
Fab, fab, fab - that's Tosh. Brilliant player, great manager!

Peter From Merthyr
A Class Act. Nuff Said.

Ken Donovan from Merthyr Tydfil
The Welsh manager stated following the game against Cyprus that 'It was the worst performance by a Welsh team ever'. I would personally disagree with the statement. Although shocking the performance given by weak team was surpassed by the performance by a team managed by the same manager last time he was in charge. John suffers the same to that of Sven Goran Eriksson - good club managers but disastrous international coaches. He is most definitely a proud Welshman however, unfit for purpose as the national team manager therefore, should leave. Is a certain Terry Yorath available? If so then the FAW should make him a public apology and invite him to consider the role for which he succeeded at - second to none since 1958, equal to Sparky.

Gwilym Davies from Nelson
How soon can we sack him? God help us if he stays.

Ken Donovan
Giving regard to John Toshack's outburst at the current Welsh team for their performance against Cyprus. Firstly the performance was shocking - however, Cyprus also turned over the Republic of Ireland in a similar fashion so they should be respected. However, John giving the statement 'It's the worst performance ever from a Welsh football team' is a tad ambiguous. Does he not remember the last time he held the post of Welsh team manager and lasted one game following the worst performance ever from a Welsh side? Bad performances and Toshack go hand in hand - please, resign now for the sake of the nation. Is Mr Yorath still on the football scene? If so, the FAW should employ him.

BMD, Newport
Don't know much about sport but heard the comments Mr Toshack made about pro footballers after Wales were beaten by Cyprus. He was spot on - they are too well looked after and paid far too much. They should be paid on performance - loose a game forfeit a percentage of pay. But saying that they are probably paid so much they wouldn't care. Well done Mr Toshack - unlike some managers I hope you keep speaking out.

Cathy Reynolds, Perth, Australia
Not only inspiring as a leader but a poet as well!

Mudger, Crewe
Legend!!! Hope he takes Wales all the way!!

Colin Davies, Caerphilly
I was born in 1957 and Wales qualified once for the World Cup since then. I urge the Welsh public to support John and give him time to build a team for Wales. If it takes ten years, be patient - he is the greatest supporter of Welsh football as every welsh person is. We have one of the smallest nations in the footballing world - give him the chance for GLORY!!!!

Jonathan Bater, Swansea
I've played against your son in five a side ... I'd like to say you're the best Welsh manager yet as we the people love your attacking football, and for once in our 60 year drought us from Swansea love you. Get us there - there's no substitute for pace. Please Tosh, get us there.

James, Cardiff
I think Tosh is wrong for leaving James Collins out because he said that he's not playing a high enough standard to play for Wales, but he's bought some player into the squad that plays for Swansea. I think that he's messed up already.

Susan from Brisbane Australia
Good on yer Tosh - great news - he's outstanding and I believe he will do us proud!!

Andy from Australia
Great choice, Welsh people should get right behind him and give all their support. You never know - we might be in a new era when we win!

Stephen Biddiscombe from Barry
A fine player, successful manager, intelligent, articulate and Welsh. John Toshack is the stand out candidate for the Wales job at the present time.

Lloyd from Trowbridge
As a Welshman currently in exile I find that I follow my country more than ever and I must say I didnt blame John for leaving after one game after we just missed out on the 1994 World Cup. The supporters were well out of order that night in Ninian Park - who wants to do a job where you are not wanted? I really think he's going to do us proud this time - I just hope players like Bellamy and Savage grow up and learn from Toshack rather than argue with him. Good Luck John.

Garnet Newton-Wade from Wiltshire
The only possible choice. An outstanding reputation, a strong character and most importantly Welsh.

Simon from New Zealand
A good choice. His reputation is outstanding. I think he will do Wales proud.

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