Roy Aitken
- For others similarly named, see the Robert Aitken navigation page
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Robert Sime Aitken | ||
Date of birth | 24 November 1958 | ||
Place of birth | Irvine, Scotland | ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Youth career | |||
1973–1976 | Celtic Boys Club | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1976–1990 | Celtic | 483 | (40) |
1990–1991 | Newcastle United | 54 | (1) |
1991–1992 | St Mirren | 34 | (1) |
1992–1995 | Aberdeen | 29 | (2) |
Total | 600 | (44) | |
International career | |||
1976–1984 | Scotland U21[1] | 16 | (2) |
1979–1991 | Scotland | 57 | (1) |
Managerial career | |||
1995–1997 | Aberdeen | ||
2006 | Aston Villa (caretaker manager) | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Robert Sime "Roy" Aitken (born 24 November 1958)[2] 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,[2] he grew up in Ardrossan. He signed for Celtic as a youngster.
Playing career
At Celtic, he was nicknamed 'The Bear' by the supporters due to his large frame and commanding presence. He later went on to play for Newcastle United, St Mirren and Aberdeen.
He won 57 caps for the Scotland national football team, scoring once.
Management and coaching career
Aitken was appointed manager of Aberdeen in February 1995 after the sacking of Willie Miller.[3][4] At the time, Aberdeen were struggling to avoid relegation, and Aitken made a bright start by winning 2-0 against Rangers in his first game as manager.[4] Aberdeen finished second bottom of the league, but maintained their top league status by defeating Dunfermline Athletic in a two-legged play-off.[4][5]
The following season saw Aitken invest heavily in the transfer market; signing striker Dean Windass for £750,000 and midfielder Paul Bernard for a club record £1 million.[4] Bernard struggled to justify his expensive transfer fee,[6] whilst Windass' time at Pittodrie was hampered by his on-field indiscipline.[7] Nevertheless, Aitken led Aberdeen to silverware when they won the Scottish League Cup on 26 November 1995, beating Dundee 2-0 in the final.[8]
On being sacked by Aberdeen in 1997, Aitken turned his attention to coaching. After obtaining his UEFA Pro Licence at the Scottish Football Association's Largs training centre,[9] Aitken went on to become a coach with Leeds United before rejoining former Leeds coach David O'Leary at Aston Villa.[10]
On 20 July 2006, he was named caretaker manager of Aston Villa after O'Leary's departure the previous evening.[11] Aitken managed Villa to three pre-season victories before being replaced by Martin O'Neill.[12]
In January 2007, he was appointed as one of Alex McLeish's assistants with the Scotland national football team.[13] On 28 November 2007, he followed McLeish, newly appointed as manager of Birmingham City, to the club as first-team coach alongside Andy Watson.[14]
In July 2010, Aitken left Birmingham City to join David O'Leary in Dubai with Al-Ahli.[15] He left Al-Ahli in May 2011.
Honours
Individual
References
- ^ "Roy Aitken". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Roy Aitken - A Squad". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Aberdeen sever all ties with club legend Willie Miller". BBC Sport. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d "1995-1997 Roy Aitken". www.afc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ "Play-offs and Test Matches 1891-date". Scottish Football Historical Archive. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ "Bernard can leave Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 4 October 2000. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ "A Dons Cult Hero - Dean Windass". www.afc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ McKinney, David (27 November 1995). "Dodds and Shearer end Aberdeen's wait". The Independent. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Winter, Henry (29 November 2007). "England could learn from Scottish system". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Aitken ready to lead Villa until whenever". ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Aitken at helm after O'Leary exit". BBC Sport. 21 July 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ Tattum, Colin (17 April 2008). "Roy Aitken: I want to win Aston Villa derby for Birmingham City". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "McLeish unveiled as Scotland boss". BBC Sport. 29 January 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ "Birmingham unveil McLeish as boss". BBC Sport. 28 November 2007. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Roy Aitken quits Birmingham City for Al Ahli". BBC Sport. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
External links
- Use dmy dates from June 2013
- 1958 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Irvine, North Ayrshire
- Scottish footballers
- Scotland international footballers
- Association football midfielders
- Celtic F.C. players
- Newcastle United F.C. players
- St Mirren F.C. players
- Aberdeen F.C. players
- Scottish Football League players
- The Football League players
- 1986 FIFA World Cup players
- 1990 FIFA World Cup players
- Scottish football managers
- Aberdeen F.C. managers
- Leeds United F.C. non-playing staff
- Aston Villa F.C. managers
- Birmingham City F.C. non-playing staff
- UEFA Pro Licence holders
- People educated at St Andrews Academy
- Scotland under-21 international footballers
- Scottish Football League managers