Full name Alan Maxwell Archibald Name Alan Archibald 1996–2003 Partick Thistle Career start 1996 | Years Team Height 1.83 m Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland Role Football player Manages Partick Thistle F.C. | |
 | ||
Date of birth (1977-12-13) 13 December 1977 (age 37) Current team Partick Thistle (manager) Team coached Partick Thistle F.C. (Manager, since 2013) Similar People Jackie McNamara, Conrad Balatoni, Steve Archibald, Bertie Auld | ||
13th january 2016 alan archibald
Alan Maxwell Archibald (born 13 December 1977) is a Scottish football manager and former player who is the manager of Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership. Archibald,who played as a defender, has been associated with Partick Thistle for most of his career. Beginning his professional career with the club as a teenager, he went on to make 423 appearances for Thistle in two spells, placing him tenth on the club's all-time list of most appearances. His only other professional club was Dundee United, where he played between 2003 and 2007 before rejoining Thistle. Archibald also played five times for the Scotland national under-21 team.
Contents
- 13th january 2016 alan archibald
- Alan archibald give his reaction to the 1 1 draw with hibs
- Partick Thistle
- Dundee United
- Return to Partick Thistle
- Player
- Manager
- References
Following his retirement from playing, Archibald became Partick Thistle manager in 2013 and went on to win the Scottish Football League First Division title that year. In total, as both a player and manager, Archibald has achieved three league divisional titles and promotions with Partick Thistle. Since September 2015, he has been the longest serving current manager in the Scottish Premiership.
Alan archibald give his reaction to the 1 1 draw with hibs
Partick Thistle
Archibald was born in Glasgow. A left-footed defender, he started his professional career with Partick Thistle as an eighteen-year-old. Alan made 231 appearances scoring eight goals during this period with the Jags where, until leaving, he was their longest-serving player. During this time he also gained caps as a Scotland U-21 international.
Dundee United
Archibald was signed by then-manager Ian McCall for Dundee United on 3 June 2003. In his first season at Tannadice – 2003–04 – Archibald was the only player to feature in every match for United, and his assured performances earned him a contract extension. Archibald's first United goal came against Hearts in a 2–1 win at Tannadice. He also scored against Celtic in a narrow defeat for the Tangerines at Celtic Park.
Archibald was one of the club's most consistent performers in 2003–04 and his contribution in the side that achieved a fifth-place finish was marked with the Player of the Year award at the club's annual dinner and he also received recognition from the Federation and other supporters’ clubs. During the 2004–05 season, Archibald continued his ever-present run by appearing in every match that season as United reached the Scottish Cup Final and secured their place in the SPL following a long battle with relegation. He also added a further four goals to his United tally, including the opener in the 4–1 Scottish Cup win over Aberdeen at Tannadice.
Return to Partick Thistle
At the end of the 2005–06 season, it was rumoured that Archibald might be returning to former club Partick Thistle. However, following the signing of fullback Christian Kalvenes early into the 2006–07 season, Archibald was moved to his preferred position in the centre of defence. Up until 26 November 2006, all of Archibald's United appearances had been from the starting eleven; he finally made a substitute appearance in the 1–0 win over St Mirren. On 24 January 2007, Archibald was informed by Dundee United manager Craig Levein that his contract, due to expire in June 2007, would not be renewed.
On 31 January 2007, Archibald signed a contract to return to Partick Thistle, lasting until the end of the 2008–09 season. Although a March 2008 knee injury kept him injured for eight months, he was granted a testimonial season by the club.
Partick Thistle
On 30 January 2013, he was appointed interim manager with former player Scott Paterson as assistant following the departure of Jackie McNamara to Dundee United. On 22 March, the duo were given the job on a permanent basis signing a one-year rolling contract. Archibald later guided Thistle to the First Division title (now known as the Championship) gaining the Jags promotion to the Scottish Premiership. Thistle also lost the Scottish Challenge Cup final to Queen of the South on penalties in April 2013.
Thistle's performance in the Premiership was mixed. The club went seven months without a win at home. However, the club had more success away from home with a total of six wins. Their run of success near the end of the Premiership season saw them secure their top-flight status for the 2014–15 Scottish Premiership season. After a poor start to the 2015–16 season, the team had a run of success, winning seven from nine points, in which Archibald picked up the Premiership Manager of the Month award for November. Since Jackie McNamara's departure from Dundee United in September 2015, Archibald has been the longest serving current manager at any Premiership club.
On 7 May 2016, Thistle secured their Premiership status with a 2–0 away victory to Kilmarnock, with goals coming from Steven Lawless and Kris Doolan. This result meant that Archibald overtook former manager Davie McParland as the record holder of top-flight victories. On 8 April 2017, Thistle beat Motherwell 1–0 to secure a place in the top six for the first time since the league split was first introduced to the Scottish top flight in 2000–01.