ISL 2017: 5 Possible replacements for Rene Meulensteen at Kerala Blasters FC

Alex McCleish

Alex McCleish last managed Egyptian side Zamalek in 2016

Alexander McCleish is a Scottish former player and manager who played for the Scotland national side earning a total of 77 caps. He played as a central defender for Aberdeen FC in the Scottish Premier League earning 493 caps and finished his career at Motherwell FC.

His long stint at Aberdeen FC included three Scottish Premier League titles and five Scottish Cups. After his successful playing career, he began his management career as player-manager at Motherwell and then moved on to another Scottish side Hibernian FC. He had a good spell there which led him being appointed as manager of Scottish giants Rangers FC.

McCleish won both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League cup in his first season in charge. His second season proved to be better with Rangers winning the Scottish domestic treble. He stayed on for three more seasons and then moved on to take over the Scotland national team.

In 2011, he moved to the English Premier League with Birmingham City and had a decent run before resigning in 2011 when they were relegated to the Championship. He joined their rivals Aston Villa next but was let go after a poor season. He went on to manage Nottingham Forest in the Championship for a season and then took a brief break before signing for Belgian side Genk.

His last assignment was with Egyptian Premier League side Zamalek but after a series of poor performances, he was sacked in May 2016. He has been without a club ever since is free to take up the top job at Kerala Blasters for the rest of the season. He has vast experience of coaching over many years and can certainly do justice to the responsibility in Kochi.