Alex Miller
Encyclopedia
Alex Miller is a Scottish
association football coach
and former player. As a player, he had a 15 year career with Rangers
. As a manager, he won the 1991 Scottish League Cup
with Hibernian
. He subsequently worked for Premier League club Liverpool
for nine years, assisting Gerard Houllier
and Rafael Benítez
.
from 1967 until 1982 before finishing his playing career in Hong Kong. He was something of a legend at Ibrox having played in a Scottish Cup Final despite having a broken jaw. He made 306 appearances during his spell at Rangers
and scored 30 goals.
in 1983
before contentiously joining their rivals from Paisley
, St. Mirren
, who were at that time in a higher division.
Miller managed St. Mirren from 1983 until 1986. He moulded a side that would win the 1987 Scottish Cup Final
, later in the season that he left the club. Miller guided St. Mirren to qualification for European competition. One of Saints all time great nights came in a European campaign when in 1985, Slavia Prague were knocked out after a 3–0 Saints win at Love Street.
He was then manager of Hibernian
from 1986 to 1996, through a "difficult" period in the clubs history, as the club came through financial problems. He led Hibs
to victory in the 1991–92 Scottish League Cup, beating Rangers in the semi finals (1–0) and Dunfermline Athletic
in the final
(2–0). Hibs qualified for the UEFA Cup
, losing on the away goals rule to RSC Anderlecht. Hibs reached the 1993 Scottish League Cup Final
, but this time lost out to Rangers (1–2). Hibs finished the 1994–95 season
in third place in the league. Miller was sacked by Hibs
in 1996, with some observers accusing him of having betrayed Hibs' "cavalier ideals".
He then moved to Coventry City
as assistant manager. A year later, unable to resist the challenge of being his own man again, he moved to Aberdeen
taking over the manager's post from Roy Aitken
. However this stint was not a successful one and he was replaced in 1998 by Paul Hegarty
.
Miller joined English Premiership side Liverpool
as Director of Scouting under Gérard Houllier
in 1999. However, when Rafael Benítez
was appointed manager of Liverpool in 2004, he overhauled the scouting system. Miller then subsequently worked as first team coach, before leaving Liverpool in May 2008 to manage Japanese side JEF United Chiba. Despite taking over the club when they had taken just two points from eleven games, Miller managed to guide the team to safety from relegation
. However, following a string of poor results in the next season, Miller's contract was terminated by the club in July 2009.
Miller was appointed manager of Swedish
team AIK
in June 2010. He left in November 2010, after less than five months in charge. AIK had been in some danger of relegation when Miller was appointed, but they eventually finished 11th in the 16-team division.
and Greg
, both played for Hibs
while Miller was manager there. Miller also employed Greg as a coach while he was manager of JEF United Chiba.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
association football coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
and former player. As a player, he had a 15 year career with Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. As a manager, he won the 1991 Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup 1991-92
The 1991–92 Scottish League Cup was the 46th staging of Scotland's second most prestigious football knockout competition. The competition was sponsored by Skol and was also known as the Skol Cup....
with Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
. He subsequently worked for Premier League club Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
for nine years, assisting Gerard Houllier
Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier, OBE , is a French football manager, who was last manager of Premier League club Aston Villa. He stepped down on 1 June 2011, following hospitalisation over heart problems towards the end of the 2010-2011 season....
and Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
.
Playing career
As a player Miller started out his career with Clydebank Strollers before he made the move to Rangers. Miller played for RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
from 1967 until 1982 before finishing his playing career in Hong Kong. He was something of a legend at Ibrox having played in a Scottish Cup Final despite having a broken jaw. He made 306 appearances during his spell at Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and scored 30 goals.
Coaching career
Miller was appointed as player-manager when he played briefly for South China in Hong Kong in 1983, but was unable to save the club from relegation. He was then briefly manager of Greenock MortonGreenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
in 1983
1983-84 in Scottish football
The 1983–84 season was the 87th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: St...
before contentiously joining their rivals from Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
, St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
, who were at that time in a higher division.
Miller managed St. Mirren from 1983 until 1986. He moulded a side that would win the 1987 Scottish Cup Final
1987 Scottish Cup Final
The 1987 Scottish Cup Final was played between St. Mirren and Dundee United at Hampden Park on 16 May 1987.Underdogs St Mirren won the game 1–0, with a goal by Ian Ferguson. It was their third Scottish Cup win in their 110 year history....
, later in the season that he left the club. Miller guided St. Mirren to qualification for European competition. One of Saints all time great nights came in a European campaign when in 1985, Slavia Prague were knocked out after a 3–0 Saints win at Love Street.
He was then manager of Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
from 1986 to 1996, through a "difficult" period in the clubs history, as the club came through financial problems. He led Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
to victory in the 1991–92 Scottish League Cup, beating Rangers in the semi finals (1–0) and Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
in the final
1991 Scottish League Cup Final
The 1991 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 27 October 1991 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 46th Scottish League Cup competition. The final was contested by Hibernian and Dunfermline Athletic. Hibernian won the match 2–0, thanks to goals from Tommy McIntyre and Keith...
(2–0). Hibs qualified for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, losing on the away goals rule to RSC Anderlecht. Hibs reached the 1993 Scottish League Cup Final
1993 Scottish League Cup Final
The 1993 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 24 October 1993, at Celtic Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 48th Scottish League Cup competition. The final was contested by Rangers and Hibernian. Rangers won the match 2–1 thanks to goals by Ian Durrant and Ally McCoist.-Match...
, but this time lost out to Rangers (1–2). Hibs finished the 1994–95 season
1994-95 in Scottish football
The 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
in third place in the league. Miller was sacked by Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 1996, with some observers accusing him of having betrayed Hibs' "cavalier ideals".
He then moved to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
as assistant manager. A year later, unable to resist the challenge of being his own man again, he moved to Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
taking over the manager's post from Roy Aitken
Roy Aitken
Robert Sime "Roy" Aitken is a former footballer who went on to become a coach with clubs including Leeds United and Aston Villa. His position as a player was defence.Born in Irvine, Ayrshire, he grew up in Ardrossan...
. However this stint was not a successful one and he was replaced in 1998 by Paul Hegarty
Paul Hegarty
Paul Anthony "Heggie" Hegarty is a Scottish former football player, who was captain of Dundee United during their most successful era in the 1970s and 1980s and won eight international caps for Scotland...
.
Miller joined English Premiership side Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
as Director of Scouting under Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier, OBE , is a French football manager, who was last manager of Premier League club Aston Villa. He stepped down on 1 June 2011, following hospitalisation over heart problems towards the end of the 2010-2011 season....
in 1999. However, when Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
was appointed manager of Liverpool in 2004, he overhauled the scouting system. Miller then subsequently worked as first team coach, before leaving Liverpool in May 2008 to manage Japanese side JEF United Chiba. Despite taking over the club when they had taken just two points from eleven games, Miller managed to guide the team to safety from relegation
J. League 2008
The 2008 J. League Division 1 season is the 44th season of the top-flight club football in Japan and the 16th season since the establishment of J1 League. The season began on March 8 and ended on December 6....
. However, following a string of poor results in the next season, Miller's contract was terminated by the club in July 2009.
Miller was appointed manager of Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
team AIK
AIK Fotboll
AIK, , an abbreviation for Allmänna Idrottsklubben, , when needed internationally AIK Stockholm, is a Swedish football club based at Råsunda stadium in Solna, a municipality in Stockholm County bordering to Stockholm City Centre...
in June 2010. He left in November 2010, after less than five months in charge. AIK had been in some danger of relegation when Miller was appointed, but they eventually finished 11th in the 16-team division.
Managerial record
| Team | From | To | Games | Won | Lost | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mirren | 01-08-1983 | 16-12-1986 | ||||
| Hibernian | 15-11-1986 | 30-09-1996 | ||||
| Aberdeen | 21-11-1997 | 08-12-1998 | 43 | 11 | 19 | 13 |
| AIK | 22-06-2010 | 10-11-2010 | 24 | 9 | 11 | 4 |
Personal life
Two of Miller's sons, GraemeGraeme Miller (footballer)
Graeme Miller is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a striker.-Career:Born in Glasgow, Miller began his career with Tynecastle, before turning professional with Hibernian in 1992...
and Greg
Greg Miller (footballer)
Greg Miller is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.-Career:Miller began his career with Hutcheson Vale, before turning professional in 1995 with Hibernian. Over the next two seasons, Miller made 15 appearances in the Scottish Football League, scoring one goal...
, both played for Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
while Miller was manager there. Miller also employed Greg as a coach while he was manager of JEF United Chiba.