5 best Scottish managers of all time

#1 Jock Stein

Celtic's greatest ever manager was cast in Bronze

It speaks volumes to be named as Ferguson’s idol but that’s what Jock Stein was: he took the future Manchester United legend on as his assistant for the Scottish national team and the two guided their country to the 1986 World Cup finals just as Stein succumbed to an untimely death during the key clash against Wales.

What he left behind was an imposing managerial career, mostly with Celtic, who he took to the pinnacle of European football. Stein took over in 1965, when the club were struggling with mixed results and poor form, and soon completely transformed them, much like his close friend Shankly did with Liverpool.

In his first full season, Stein delivered the league title; eight more followed, a then Scottish record. It was the 1966/1967 campaign that truly provided his legacy when Celtic became the first British club to win the European Cup. They did it in mighty fashion, too, beating the much-favoured and mighty Inter Milan 2-1 in an extremely one-sided contest.

In the process, he also became the first manager to win all the competitions he entered in one season. Perhaps Shankly put it best himself when he said shortly afterwards, “John (Jock), you’re immortal now.”