Player-manager Career
Giles showed much promise as a young player-manager of the Republic of Ireland, as he combined his duties in charge of West Brom, where after a slow start, he won the majority of Baggies supporters over. Under his leadership, they were promoted from the Second Division in April 1976, and finished 7th in the First Division in 1976–77. He recently said the time he spent at West Brom was amongst the happiest of his career despite him not winning trophies there. He resigned as player-manager at West Brom on 21 April 1977, the very same day as his former team-mate Jack Charlton resigned his managerial post at Middlesbrough, and moved back to Ireland to manage Shamrock Rovers until 1983.
He returned to the Hawthorns for a second spell as manager during the 1983–84 season, steering the side to safety. The following season saw West Brom start well and were as high as 5th at Christmas, but finished 12th. Following an indifferent start to the 1985–86 season he resigned, leaving the reins to his brother-in-law Nobby Stiles.
Read more about this topic: Johnny Giles
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“In time your relatives will come to accept the idea that a career is as important to you as your family. Of course, in time the polar ice cap will melt.”
—Barbara Dale (b. 1940)