Jim Magilton

Playing career

Born in Belfast at the start of the Troubles, Magilton started out at junior club St Oliver Plunkett, under the guidance of Jackie Maxwell, whose long-term association with the club saw him win the BBC NI Unsung Hero award in 2006. Magilton was a gifted midfield player with an exquisite range of passing who represented Northern Ireland 52 times. He played for Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Southampton before ending his playing career after seven-and-a-half years at Ipswich.

Liverpool and Oxford United

Magilton served as an apprentice at Liverpool alongside the likes of Steve McManaman and Mike Marsh. He turned professional in 1988 but never made a first team appearance, although he was selected as a (non-playing) substitute in the 1990 FA Charity Shield, which Liverpool shared with Manchester United in a 1–1 draw at Wembley Stadium. He was transferred to Oxford United in October 1990 at the age of 21. There he made 150 League appearances before moving to Southampton in February 1994.

Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday

Magilton was Alan Ball's second signing a month after being appointed as Southampton's manager, costing the Saints £600,000. Magilton made his first Saints appearance in a 4–2 victory at The Dell over Liverpool on 14 February 1994 in which match Matthew Le Tissier scored a hat-trick. Magilton soon established himself as a commanding presence in the central midfield role. Magilton was described in Holley & Chalk's In That Number as "a neat and indefatigable "fetcher and carrier" between penalty areas."

In the 1994–95 season Magilton started all 42 league games (scoring 6 goals) and continued to feature regularly in the following two seasons under managers David Merrington and Graeme Souness. Following Dave Jones' appointment in the summer of 1997, Magilton rejected the offer of a new contract and, after making 156 appearances with Southampton, in September 1997 he moved to Sheffield Wednesday for a fee of £1.6 million. He scored once for Wednesday, in a 1–1 draw with West Ham in April 1998.

Ipswich Town

He moved on to Ipswich Town in 1999, first on loan, then as a permanent signing. He scored his only career hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers in the 1999–2000 play-off semi-final, securing the club's place in the play-off finals, and admitting himself that it was his best ever performance. The 2005–06 season was Magilton's last at Ipswich as an active player however he was registered to play for 2006–07 whilst manager.

Ipswich Town

Magilton originally intended to secure a coaching role at another club, but made a tentative approach to the Board at Ipswich to fill the managerial vacancy after Joe Royle's departure prior to the 2006–07 season. Magilton was appointed as Ipswich manager on 5 June 2006, alongside former Academy Director Bryan Klug. Although registered as a player, Magilton stated that he would play no more games for the first team during the 2006–07 season, but hoped to turn out for the reserve side. In May 2007, Magilton was linked with the Northern Ireland manager's job after it was vacated by Lawrie Sanchez, but the ex-international decided against taking the post, due to his lack of experience.

In Magilton's first season in charge (2006–07), he led Ipswich to a satisfactory 14th position. Then, in the 2007–08 Season, Magilton lead Town to an impressive 8th-place finish, missing out on the play-offs by a single point. This position was obtained by virtue of Town's excellent home record despite their poor away form. However, despite substantial investment in the squad the team failed to make the play-offs in the 2008–09 season. This led to Magilton being sacked as manager on 22 April 2009.

Queens Park Rangers

On 3 June 2009, Magilton was appointed the Queens Park Rangers manager until June 2011, replacing Paulo Sousa, who was dismissed in April. On 9 December 2009, Magilton was suspended by Queens Park Rangers following an incident at Watford's Vicarage Road. He reportedly head-butted midfielder Ákos Buzsáky after the match in the dressing room. Magilton reportedly head butted the midfielder in a heated exchange although later reports, from an unnamed source, claimed no such headbutt occurred and that the suspension was in response to an ultimatum from Buzsáky. On 16 December 2009, it was announced Magilton had left Queens Park Rangers by mutual consent.

Shamrock Rovers

On 6 July 2011, Magilton was appointed as Shamrock Rovers Assistant manager on a caretaker basis after Trevor Croly resigned. Magilton assisted Michael O'Neill for the remainder of the 2011 season, helping the Hoops to their 2nd league title in as many years as well as reaching the Europa League group stages.

Melbourne Victory

On 7 January 2012, Magilton was signed as head coach of A-League club Melbourne Victory for the remainder of the 2011–12 season, following the dismissal of Mehmet Durakovic. He took over from interim head coach Kevin Muscat after Melbourne Victory's home game on 7 January 2012 against the Newcastle Jets. Upon being appointed the new coach of Melbourne Victory, Magilton immediately went to work strengthening the squad, signing Australian international defender Mark Milligan on loan from JEF United Ichihara Chiba, Hong Kong based Spanish midfielder Ubay Luzardo on loan from Kitchee SC, and Sierra Leonean-Australian midfielder Julius Davies. In his debut match as Melbourne Victory's coach, Melbourne Victory drew 1–1 with Adelaide United. His first win as coach came in round 19, as Melbourne Victory defeated the Central Coast Mariners 2–1. After a lacklusture tenure as coach, in which the Victory recorded 2 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses in 12 games, the Victory failed to make the finals, causing Magilton to state that the club needed to rebuild the squad and change its culture. He went about attempting to achieve this goal by releasing defender Fabio Alves and veterans Tom Pondeljak and Rodrigo Vargas and signing Gold Coast United defender Adama Traoré and Central Coast Mariners defender Sam Gallagher.

After his contract had expired and was not renewed, Magilton left the club on 2 April 2012. It was speculated that Magilton attempted to pursue legal action against the club, on the basis that he had been offered a three-year contract extension, that had then been rescinded., which was confirmed to be a false rumour. With a winning percentage of just 16.67%, Magilton is statistically the worst coach of Melbourne Victory.

Irish Football Association

On 21 June 2013, Magilton was appointed the elite performance director by the Irish Football Association, signing a four-year contract.

Northern Ireland U-21

In May 2015, Magilton was appointed manager of the Northern Ireland national under-21 football team, with Damien Johnson and Kevin Horlock serving as his assistant coaches, and Mark Crossley serving as goalkeeping coach.

Managerial statistics

International goals

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.