Top 5 player-coaches of all time in football

2. Graeme Souness

Graeme Souness

If there was ever one word to describe Graeme Souness, it would be ‘winner’.

The tough tackling mustachioed Scot is one of the most underrated legends in the game of football. He won a trophy at almost every club he played or managed and has achieved cult status at Liverpool and even Galatasaray, thanks to his flag planting exploits at the home of Gala’s most hated enemy, Fenerbache.

The Scot was appointed player-coach of Glasgow Rangers in 1986. His arrival heralded a revolution of sorts for the Rangers who had been left adrift by hated rivals Celtic.

His time there was significant in that the decisions that he took changed the face of Scottish football forever. His signing of Mo Johnston in 1989 was hailed as one of the most significant decisions ever. Johnston was a former Celtic player and Catholic. Rangers, being a protestant club, had an unwritten rule since their inception against signing Catholic players. Though a few exceptions were there, Mo Johnston was the first public Catholic signing in Rangers’ history.

The transfer divided the Rangers fans and was much debated. Looking back though, it was a remarkably astute decision as this signing heralded a new era for Rangers where more Catholic player signings were made, a fact that helped Rangers, since their refusal to sign them had seen many a talented Catholic player joining Celtic and flourishing.

Souness also laid the blueprint of the 9-in-a-row league title wins for Rangers as in his time in charge, the club won the first 3 of those eventual 9 league titles.

He made 49 appearances for Rangers. His time at Rangers was marred by many a controversy but let that not take the gloss of a fine job he did as player-coach there.