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John Toshack
John Toshack
John Toshack
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John Benjamin Toshack MBE (born 22 March 1949) is a Welsh former professional football player and manager.

Key Information

He began his playing career as a teenager with his hometown club Cardiff City, becoming the youngest player to make an appearance for the side when he made his debut in 1965. After establishing himself in the first-team, he went on to make over 200 appearances and scored 100 goals in all competitions after forming a striking partnership with Brian Clark.

In 1970, he joined First Division side Liverpool, where he formed a noted forward partnership with Kevin Keegan and Steve Heighway that helped the club to win two league titles, the European Cup, the UEFA Cup on two occasions, the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. His partnership with Keegan was so effective that the two were described as telepathic. Mounting injuries eventually led to him securing his release from Liverpool to join Swansea City as player-manager in March 1978. He led the club to three promotions in four seasons, elevating them from the Fourth Division to the First Division in a feat that led former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly to describe him as the "manager of the century".[3] During his career, he scored over 150 goals in the Football League in more than 350 appearances and also represented Wales at international level, winning 40 caps and scoring 13 goals.[4]

He resigned from Swansea in 1984 after suffering relegation and embarked on a managerial career abroad, taking charge of Sporting CP in Portugal and later Spanish side Real Sociedad, winning the Copa del Rey in 1987. Two years later, he was appointed manager of Real Madrid and led them to a fifth consecutive La Liga title with a record total of points and goals scored. However, a disappointing start to the following season resulted in his dismissal in November 1990 and he returned to Real Sociedad. In 1994, he was appointed part-time manager of Wales alongside his job at Real Sociedad but resigned from the role after just 47 days having been in charge for one match, citing the strong support for former manager Terry Yorath among fans and a "political war" as reasons. In 1995, he was appointed manager of Deportivo La Coruña during the club's "Super Depor" era, reaching the Cup Winners' Cup semifinals in his first season before departing acrimoniously in February 1997.

After a spell in Turkey with Beşiktaş, he returned to Real Madrid for a second time but was sacked ten months later after refusing to retract criticism he had made of his players in a press conference following a defeat. In 2004, he was appointed as manager of Wales for a second time and remained with the side for six years, presiding over three ultimately unsuccessful qualifying campaigns. He later managed Macedonia and Azerbaijani side Khazar Lankaran before managing outside Europe for the first time in his career with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca and Tractor of Iran.

Early life

[edit]

John Toshack was born on 22 March 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, and grew up on Northumberland Street in the Canton area of the city.[5] His father George was from Dunfermline in Scotland and worked as a carpenter.[6] He moved to Wales while serving in the RAF, being stationed at MOD St Athan, and met Toshack's mother Joan, whom he later married.[5][6]

As a child, Toshack attended Radnor Road Primary School, where he first played football for ten minutes in a school trial match,[5] and later Canton High School for Boys.[7][8][9] As a teenager, Toshack also played rugby and cricket and was regarded as a promising outside-half before a fractured shoulder suffered playing rugby led to him focusing on football.[8] He left the school at the age of sixteen with O-levels in French and history.[5]

Playing career

[edit]

Cardiff City

[edit]

While at school, Toshack was selected to represent Cardiff Boys, where he played alongside Terry Yorath.[5] In 1963, Toshack scored in every match he played for the side and broke the team's scoring record with his 33rd goal in eleven matches as Cardiff defeated Swansea 2–0 in the Welsh schools divisional final.[10] He was later selected to represent the Wales under-15 side.[5]

In 1965, he joined his hometown club Cardiff City, signing for them as a 16-year-old on a contract worth £12 a week with an £8 appearance bonus and a £4 win bonus.[11] In his early days at the club, he was in charge of cleaning the boots of John Charles.[5] He became the youngest ever player to play in a senior match for the club when he came on as a substitute in place of Graham Coldrick to make a goalscoring debut during a 3–1 win over Leyton Orient on 13 November 1965 at the age of 16 years and 236 days,[12][13] a record which stood for 41 years until it was broken by Aaron Ramsey in 2007.[14] His performance during his debut persuaded manager Jimmy Scoular to promote him to the starting line-up for the following match and Toshack found the net again, scoring a brace during a 4–3 victory over Middlesbrough.[11] In his first season in professional football, he scored six goals during nine appearances in all competitions.[12]

Establishing himself in the side over the next few years, Toshack rejected a £70,000 move to Fulham when he was 18 as he felt he was too inexperienced to play in the First Division and would learn more by playing under Cardiff manager Scoular.[15] He scored his first career hat-trick in January 1968 in an 8–0 win over Ebbw Vale in the Welsh Cup,[12] and went on to form one of the most prolific partnerships in the club's history alongside Brian Clark. In the 1968–69 season, he scored 31 goals in all competitions, including three goals in a two-legged Welsh Cup final against Swansea City, finishing as the club's top scorer and the highest goalscorer in the Second Division.[13] He scored two further hat-tricks for Cardiff, in 1969 against Queens Park Rangers and in 1970 against Hull City.[12]

In November 1970, several days after scoring his 100th goal in all competitions for Cardiff during a 2–1 victory over French side Nantes in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup,[12] Toshack completed a transfer to Liverpool. The club had made several previous offers for Toshack that had been rejected however, the Cardiff City board stated that they had left the decision up to the player who chose to move clubs. Cardiff manager Scoular and board member George Edwards both opposed the transfer, but were unable to convince chairman Fred Dewey to block the move.[16]

Liverpool

[edit]

The deal was completed on 11 November 1970, Liverpool manager Bill Shankly paying £111,000 for the striker,[16] a club record fee at the time.[15][17] £100,000 went to Cardiff for the sale of the player while the Football League received £5,500 for the transfer and Toshack himself received the remaining £5,500.[16] Liverpool had resurrected a potential deal for Toshack after an attempt to sign Huddersfield Town forward Frank Worthington collapsed after he failed a medical.[17][18] He made his debut three days later on 14 November 1970 in a goalless league draw with Coventry City at Anfield.[19] His first goal came a week later on 21 November in a Merseyside derby at Anfield. With the game 0–0 at half-time, Everton scored two early goals just after the start of the second half before Steve Heighway scored from an acute angle for Liverpool. In the 76th minute, Toshack headed a goal from a Heighway cross that turned the game around;[17] then Chris Lawler volleyed home, after Toshack had headed on an Alec Lindsay cross, for the 84th-minute winner.[20]

Tosh was a wonderful player to play alongside. He aerial ability was fantastic and I always knew that he was going to win the high balls. From then on it was just a question of me reading which way the ball was going to go and from those situations we created many chances.

Kevin Keegan commenting on his partnership with Toshack at Liverpool[21]

In his first season at Anfield, Toshack scored seven times in all competitions but his noted aerial ability proved to be a key asset in Liverpool's style of play as it helped the side reach the 1971 FA Cup Final, losing 2–1 to Arsenal.[22] The following year, Kevin Keegan joined Liverpool from Scunthorpe United and the pair struck up a successful partnership, which was often referred to as being telepathic,[23] with Toshack winning balls in the air and Keegan finishing the knock downs.[22]

After defeat in the 1971 FA Cup final and missing out on the league title by a single point in 1972, Toshack won his first major honour with Liverpool in 1973 despite missing 20 league matches due to injury.[24] Don Revie's Leeds United visited Anfield on Easter Monday for a match involving two of the three 1972–73 Football League title challengers. Two minutes after the break Peter Cormack put Liverpool ahead before Keegan added a late second to seal the win. With Arsenal only drawing in their match against Southampton, Liverpool duly closed out the title with a final game 0–0 draw against Leicester City to claim their first major trophy since 1966.[25] Toshack also helped the side to win the 1972–73 UEFA Cup against German team Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 1973 UEFA Cup Final first leg at Anfield was abandoned due to a torrential downpour after 27 minutes and rescheduled to be played again the next day.[24] The 27 minutes that had been played had given Liverpool manager Bill Shankly an insight into Borussia Mönchengladbach's defensive vulnerability in the air. To exploit this, he brought tall forward Toshack into the starting team demoting the small build of Brian Hall to appearing only as a late substitute.[26] Keegan profited with two goals set up by Toshack headers in a 3–0 win. Liverpool lost 2–0 away in the second leg but won the tie 3–2 on aggregate.[17][27]

Toshack also played in the 1974 FA Cup Final when Liverpool defeated Newcastle United 3–0, having scored winning goals in the quarter and semi-final matches against Bristol City and Leicester City.[17] However, he found himself out of the first-team at the start of the following season after the club signed Ray Kennedy from Arsenal. Frustrated with the situation, Toshack looked to move and the club accepted a £160,000 bid from Leicester City in November 1974. Although he stated of his desire to remain with Liverpool, he was reluctant to be only playing reserve matches.[28] However, the deal later collapsed after he failed a medical and, at the age of 25, Toshack was told by specialist doctors that he only had around twelve months left to play due to mounting injuries.[29] He was able to force his way back into the first-team soon after,[17] but his training time was restricted in an effort to prolong his playing career.[29]

He won a further league and UEFA Cup double in 1976 and enjoyed his most prolific season with Liverpool, scoring 23 goals in all competitions. He ended his medal haul with a further league title in 1977 but increasing injury concerns limited his appearances and a proposed £60,000 transfer to Belgian side Anderlecht broke down after a medical discovered calcification in some muscle tissue. Toshack eventually negotiated his release from his contract at Liverpool in order to move into management.[17] During his time with Liverpool, Toshack scored 96 goals in 247 appearances in all competitions.[17] He was voted in at No.34 on the Liverpool website poll 100 Players Who Shook The Kop, in which thousands of fans worldwide voted for their top 100 Liverpool players.[30]

International career

[edit]

Toshack played for Wales at schoolboy and under-23 level before making his senior debut on 26 March 1969 in a 1–1 draw with West Germany.[31] He scored his first senior goal in his following match, a 2–1 defeat to East Germany a month later.[32] He was part of the Welsh side that topped their qualifying group for UEFA Euro 1976, scoring three times during qualifying, before losing a two-legged play-off match against Yugoslavia.[33]

He went on to earn 40 caps and scored 13 goals,[34] including a hat trick against Scotland in the 1979 British Home Championship.[35]

Managerial career

[edit]

Swansea City

[edit]

Having secured his release from his contract at Liverpool, Toshack looked to move into management and approached his former club Cardiff City over a coaching position but was rejected by manager Jimmy Andrews who questioned his qualifications for the role. Toshack instead received a phone call from Swansea City chairman Malcolm Struel and was invited to a meeting at the club. Following this, he was appointed player-manager of Fourth Division club Swansea on 1 March 1978,[36] becoming the youngest manager in the Football League at the age of 29.[37] Succeeding Harry Griffiths who stepped down to become his assistant,[37] Toshack's appointment was seen as a significant coup for Swansea and the crowd for his first match in charge, a 3–3 draw with Watford, more than doubled from the club's previous home match with over 15,000 in attendance.[36][38]

He overhauled numerous aspects of the club's day-to-day routine including changing players' diets, moderating their alcohol intake and revising travel arrangements for away matches.[36] He was an immediate success at the Vetch Field, winning promotion from the Fourth Division in his first season in charge after finishing third.[38][37] However, the club's celebrations were muted following the death of Griffiths from a heart attack prior to a match against Scunthorpe United in April 1978. Toshack praised Griffiths for his role in helping the club win promotion, stating: "Most of the hard work had been done [...], chiefly by Harry. Gaining promotion would be a memorial to him".[37]

The following season, Toshack convinced several of his former Liverpool teammates, such as Ian Callaghan, Phil Boersma and Tommy Smith, to join the club. Smith and Callaghan had both received offers to stay with Liverpool, although with limited playing time, but approached Toshack over a move and would train at Liverpool's Melwood training ground before travelling to Swansea for matchdays.[37] Toshack led the club to a second consecutive promotion in 1979, sealing their place in the Second Division with a 2–1 win over Chesterfield on the final day of the season with Toshack himself scoring the winning goal that confirmed promotion after bringing himself on as a substitute.[37][39]

After finishing mid-table in their first season in the Second Division, Swansea claimed a third promotion in four seasons in 1981 after beating Preston North End 3–1 on 2 May 1981 and won the Welsh Cup for the first time in fifteen years soon after by defeating Hereford United.[40] After achieving promotion, Toshack's former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly heaped praise on his achievements, stating "he's done a remarkable job, I would say he's possibly manager of the century."[37] Once they reached the top flight, Swansea were predicted by many to be relegated, but in their first match in the First Division they claimed a 5–1 victory over Leeds United after a hat-trick from newly arrived club-record signing Bob Latchford.[37][41] In recognition of his achievements at the club, Toshack was awarded an MBE midway through the season.[40] Swansea topped the league at several stages of the season, leading the division with only three months remaining, but injuries to key-players Latchford and another former Liverpool teammate of Toshack's Ray Kennedy, saw a downturn in results and they won just one of their final six matches before finishing their first campaign in the top flight in sixth position.[37][41] During this period, he was told by the Liverpool board that he was their choice to replace current manager Bob Paisley when he chose to retire. Toshack had openly coveted the position, stating: "When I went to Swansea the thing I wanted in the long term was to end up at Liverpool".[29] However, Paisley remained longer than expected and the position eventually went to Joe Fagan.[29] Swansea were relegated the following year as the club suffered financial difficulties after relatively big spending under Toshack's tenure and then suffered a second successive relegation. He resigned in October 1983 but returned eight weeks later, remaining with the club for a further three months before departing again in March 1984.[38] The heavy spending during Toshack's years at Swansea were often cited as a key factor in the severe financial issues that affected the club, being issued with a winding up order due to unpaid debts in December 1985.[40]

European management

[edit]

In 1984, Toshack was appointed manager of the Portuguese side Sporting CP, but he only lasted one season in the post, during which he led the team to second place in the league.[42] He instead moved to Spain, taking a position as manager of Real Sociedad where he led the side to victory in the 1986–87 Copa del Rey and were the league runners-up in 1988.[43][44]

Although their following season was disappointing, finishing the La Liga season in eleventh position, Toshack was appointed manager of Real Madrid in 1989.[44] Madrid were reigning La Liga champions having won their fourth consecutive title the previous year and their squad was described by club president Ramón Mendoza as the "best Real Madrid side for the past 25 years".[45] Nevertheless, Toshack strengthened defensively by adding Oscar Ruggeri and Fernando Hierro to the club's ranks, but endured a difficult start after losing to rivals Barcelona and being eliminated from the European Cup in the second round; he was also under pressure from local press, despite leading the La Liga table after ten matches. However, the side soon discovered their form and they eventually claimed the league title after scoring a record 107 league goals during the season, becoming only the second team to score 100 or more goals during a single season at the time.[45] A disappointing start to the following season and a three-match losing streak led to him being sacked by the club after eleven matches in November 1990 and he returned to Real Sociedad,[46][47] initially in an advisory role, before taking charge soon after.[48]

In Spain, Toshack became known as "John Benjamin"–nicknamed "JB"–as there was a common misunderstanding that his middle name was a Spanish-style paternal surname. He was noted for a habit of literally translating English-language idioms into Spanish during his press conferences, to the confusion of Spanish journalists.[49]

Wales national football team

[edit]

In 1994, Toshack was appointed as manager of the Wales national team on a part-time basis, taking the job alongside his position in charge of Real Sociedad, after approaches for Terry Venables and Bobby Robson were rejected.[50] Although the ten scheduled competitive matches the team were due to play coincided with a break in Spanish league fixtures, he stated his intention that Real Sociedad would remain his first priority if any other international matches should clash with domestic ones.[51] He was appointed to succeed Terry Yorath, who had narrowly missed out on qualification to the 1994 FIFA World Cup and had expressed his desire to remain in the role but was not offered a new contract by the Football Association of Wales (FAW).[50] On 9 March 1994, Toshack took charge of his first game for Wales, a 3–1 defeat to Norway at Ninian Park in Cardiff.[52] Toshack had already come under scrutiny over his commitment to the role after arriving in Wales only two nights before the match and taking a single training session with the team beforehand. With support for Yorath still strong among Welsh fans over his dismissal by the FAW, a disappointing performance against Norway saw the team jeered off at both half and full-time and Toshack resigned from the role after just 47 days in charge.[50][53] He later claimed that there was a political "war" surrounding the team following Yorath's acrimonious departure and he decided to "wash his hands" of the situation.[54]

Besiktas and return to Real Madrid

[edit]

After leaving Real Sociedad, he spent two years in charge of Deportivo de La Coruña, resigning after the board signed two players without his knowledge,[55] before moving to Turkey to join Beşiktaş on the recommendation of Bobby Robson,[55] finishing sixth in his first season in charge.[48] Although Toshack led the club to victory in the Turkish Cup in 1998, he endured a difficult time at the club, as he clashed with the board on several occasions and had threatened to quit in October 1998.[47]

In February 1999, he returned to Real Madrid following the sacking of Guus Hiddink. Madrid agreed to pay £372,671 compensation to Beşiktaş in order to secure the move.[47] With the club floundering in sixth place upon his arrival, he immediately improved Real Madrid’s league form and eventually led the club to finish the season with a very impressive second place, securing the Champions League Group Stage qualification under Toshack. However, the start of the following season saw Madrid struggle again, and after a 3–2 victory against Rayo Vallecano due to a dramatic second half which saw Real overturn the result with three unanswered goals, as the club was stuck in eighth position, Toshack publicly criticized his players, particularly Albano Bizzarri commenting that the goalkeeper conceded goals "that made me weep".[56] Toshack claimed that his words were meant as a motivational tactic and refused club president Lorenzo Sanz's request that he withdraw his comments, saying "there's more chance of a pig flying over the Bernabeu".[56] The Real Madrid board dismissed him soon after and replaced him with former defensive midfielder and caretaker manager, Vicente del Bosque.[57] Toshack would later take Madrid to court over his dismissal and was awarded over £700,000 in compensation.[58]

He later spent a short period with French side Saint-Étienne in 2000, leaving the club for third spell in charge of Real Sociedad. Despite pulling Saint-Étienne out of the relegation zone, the club's fortunes rapidly declined after his departure, becoming entangled in a forgery scandal which docked the club seven points to confirm its relegation at the end of the 2000–01 season.[59] At Real Sociedad, Toshack reversed the club's declining fortunes and pulled it out of the relegation zone to finish in 13th place in his first season after having rewarded the captaincy to 20–year old Xabi Alonso, who became the club's star player under Toshack.[60] After amassing 27 points in 29 games the following season, he was sacked in March 2002.

He then had short spells with Italian team Catania from November 2002 to January 2003, in a calamitous season for the club in which it got relegated from the Serie B in a scandal known as "Caso Catania" before the decision was reversed in August 2003; this preceded another return to Spain with last–placed La Liga side Real Murcia in January 2004, failing to save the club from relegation.[61]

Wales (second spell)

[edit]

In November 2004, Toshack was appointed as manager of the Wales national team for the second time after being named as the "unanimous" choice of the FAW. He was named in a three-man shortlist for the role alongside Frenchman Philippe Troussier and former Welsh international Dean Saunders.[62] Toshack's appointment was unpopular with some senior players with Robbie Savage claiming he could face a player mutiny if appointed. In total, seven players announced their international retirement within months of Toshack's appointment,[8] including Savage,[63] captain Gary Speed, who had been critical of Toshack's opinions previously,[64] Mark Pembridge and Andy Melville.[65] Former Wales manager Mark Hughes also questioned Toshack's suitability for the role, stating that UEFA coaching qualifications which Toshack did not possess should be considered a prerequisite for the job.[66]

One of his first acts as manager was to place Brian Flynn in charge of Wales' various youth levels, replacing Ian Rush and Neville Southall,[67] and the pair set about rebuilding an ageing squad and uncovering players with the eligibility to play for Wales, such as Ashley Williams.[68] His first match in charge was a friendly against Hungary on 9 February 2005 which ended in a 2–0 win for Wales, both goals being scored by Craig Bellamy.[69] His first competitive match in charge came one month later when they suffered a 2–0 defeat to Austria, where Toshack was blamed for making a late substitution with the match at 0–0 that allowed Austria into contention and conceded two late goals.[70] A second defeat to Austria four days later ended Wales' slim remaining hopes of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[8]

In his first full qualifying campaign, Toshack's squad was plagued by withdrawals, so much so that he chose to issue a letter to 36 Welsh players for them to show "total commitment to the cause".[71] With the noted retirements and regular withdrawals, Toshack was forced to use a relatively youthful side for a difficult qualifying campaign in which Wales finished fifth out of seven teams and failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008. A defeat to Poland in February 2009 caused anger among supporters as captain Craig Bellamy clashed verbally with fans and a further defeat to Finland a month later saw the side jeered off the pitch at full-time.[8] In October 2009, Wales were unable to fill a squad for a friendly match against Finland following four retirements in the months prior to the match. One of the players, Paul Parry, cited being made to feel like a "spare part" as the reason for his decision to make himself unavailable for selection.[8]

Despite mounting pressure to resign, Toshack remained in charge for the start of the next qualifying campaign. However, on 5 September 2010, he offered his resignation from the Wales job following a 1–0 away defeat to Montenegro in their first Euro 2012 qualifying match.[72] He left the job by mutual consent on 9 September 2010,[73] although he had stated his desire to remain in the job for the two following qualifying matches.[74] During his six-year tenure with Wales, a total of 18 players retired from international duty but he also handed debuts to numerous players, including many of the side that would go on to reach the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2016.[75]

Macedonian national team

[edit]
Toshack, as Macedonia manager, at a press conference in 2011

Eleven months after resigning from his role with Wales, Toshack was appointed manager of the Macedonia national football team on 7 August 2011.[76] However, Macedonia won one of his eight matches in charge and his contract with the national side was terminated on 13 August 2012 after he refused the request of Football Federation of Macedonia president Ilčo Gjorgioski to relocate to the country.[77]

Khazar Lankaran

[edit]

On 8 March 2013, it was announced that Toshack would take over as manager of Khazar Lankaran of the Azerbaijan Premier League on 15 March 2013.[78] At the time of his appointment, Khazar Lankaran were eighth in the league and competing in the relegation group for the final 10 games of the season. Toshack's first game in charge of Khazar Lankaran was a one all home draw against AZAL.[79] Toshack's first win came in his second game in charge, a 1–2 away victory against bottom of the table Kəpəz.[80] Khazar Lankaran ended the season in eighth position, with a league record under Toshack of three games out of nine won, with an equal number of three matches drawn or lost. Toshack also guided Khazar Lankaran to the final of the 2012–13 Azerbaijan Cup with a 2–1 aggregate victory over Baku in the semi-finals, resulting in a game against Premier League champions Neftchi Baku which Khazar lost 5–3 on penalties.[81] As a result of Neftchi Baku winning both the Premier League and Cup, Khazar qualified for the UEFA Europa League. Toshack won his first trophy with Khazar Lankaran on 23 October 2013, defeating Neftchi Baku in the 2013 Azerbaijan Supercup.[82][83] On 22 November 2013, Toshack resigned as manager of Khazar Lankaran, following 14 points in the first 14 games of the season, leaving Khazar in eighth place in the league.[84]

Wydad Casablanca

[edit]

On 20 June 2014, Toshack was appointed as manager of Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca.[85] He led the club to a league title in his first season in charge and a second-place finish the following year,[86] but on 16 September 2016, after suffering a heavy defeat to Zamalek in the first leg of the 2016 CAF Champions League semi-finals, Toshack and Wydad Casablanca parted ways.[87]

Tractor

[edit]

In June 2018, he was appointed manager of Iranian side Tractor until 2021.[88] He left the club in September 2018.[89]

Personal life

[edit]

On 7 June 1969, Toshack married Susan Bann from Grangetown, Cardiff, at the age of 20 at St John Church in Canton.[5][90] After 43 years of marriage, the pair divorced in 2012 with his wife citing "unreasonable behaviour".[90] Toshack's son Cameron is also a former professional footballer, having made five appearances for Cardiff City, and with Swansea City for the 1989–90 season.[90]

In 1976, while playing for Liverpool, Toshack composed and published a book of poems entitled Gosh, it's Tosh.[91][92]

In 1981, Toshack won the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year and received the MBE for his services to football in the 1982 New Year Honours list.[93][94] He was the subject of an episode of This Is Your Life in 1982 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Roehampton Club in London.[citation needed]

On 27 February 2022, Toshack was reported to be seriously ill in a Spanish hospital, suffering from COVID-19.[95][96]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Cardiff City 1965–66[12] Second Division 8 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6
1966–67[12] Second Division 23 10 0 0 2 1 – 1[a] 0 26 11
1967–68[12] Second Division 35 11 1 0 0 0 14 6 0 0 50 17
1968–69[12] Second Division 41 22 2 0 1 0 2[b] 2 5[a] 7 51 31
1969–70[12] Second Division 39 17 3 1 1 0 4[b] 2 4[a] 2 51 22
1970–71[12] Second Division 16 8 0 0 0 0 4[b] 5 0 0 20 13
Total 162 74 7 1 4 1 24 15 10 9 207 100
Liverpool 1970–71[17] First Division 21 5 7 1 0 0 5[c] 1 – 33 7
1971–72[17] First Division 29 13 1 0 1 0 2[b] 0 1[d] 0 34 13
1972–73[17] First Division 22 13 4 2 6 1 8[e] 1 – 40 17
1973–74[17] First Division 19 5 6 3 2 2 3[f] 1 – 30 11
1974–75[17] First Division 21 12 2 0 0 0 2[b] 0 0 0 25 12
1975–76[17] First Division 35 16 2 1 2 0 11[e] 6 – 50 23
1976–77[17] First Division 22 10 2 1 1 0 4[f] 1 1[d] 1 30 13
1977–78[17] First Division 3 0 0 0 1 0 1[f] 0 0 0 9 0
Total 172 74 24 8 13 3 36 10 2 1 247 96
Swansea City 1977–78[17] Fourth Division 13 6 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 13 6
1978–79[17] Third Division 28 13 – 34 14
1979–80[17] Second Division 16 5 – 22 9
1980–81[17] Second Division 3 0 – 5 0
1981–82[17] First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
1982–83[17] First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
1983–84[17] Second Division 3 0 – 4 1
Total 63 24 – 78 30
Total 397 172 31 9 17 4 60 25 12 10 532 220
  1. ^ a b c Appearance in Welsh Cup
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearances in European Cup Winners' Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
  4. ^ a b Appearance in FA Charity Shield
  5. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Cup
  6. ^ a b c Appearances in European Cup

Managerial statistics

[edit]
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Swansea City 1 March 1978 8 June 1984 326 128 75 123 039.26
Sporting CP 1 July 1984 19 May 1985 40 25 12 3 062.50
Real Sociedad 1 July 1985 8 May 1989 181 84 45 52 046.41
Real Madrid 1 July 1989 19 November 1990 64 41 15 8 064.06
Real Sociedad 1 July 1991 21 November 1994 141 49 41 51 034.75
Wales (interim) 9 March 1994 9 March 1994 1 0 0 1 000.00
Deportivo La Coruña 1 July 1995 10 February 1997 80 33 20 27 041.25
Beşiktaş 1 July 1997 23 February 1999 80 41 21 18 051.25
Real Madrid 24 February 1999 17 November 1999 37 19 9 9 051.35
Saint-Étienne 6 October 2000 21 December 2000 12 5 2 5 041.67
Real Sociedad 22 December 2000 12 March 2002 52 16 13 23 030.77
Catania 9 November 2002 28 January 2003 10 4 0 6 040.00
Real Murcia 20 January 2004 30 June 2004 18 4 1 13 022.22
Wales 1 January 2005 4 September 2010 53 22 8 23 041.51
North Macedonia 2 September 2011 30 May 2012 8 1 4 3 012.50
Khazar Lankaran 1 March 2013 26 July 2013 33 12 9 12 036.36
Wydad Casablanca 1 June 2014 16 September 2016 83 42 26 15 050.60
Tractor 9 June 2018 16 September 2018 7 2 4 1 028.57
Total 1,226 528 305 393 043.07


Honours

[edit]

Player

[edit]

Cardiff City[13]

Liverpool[17]

Player-manager

[edit]

Swansea City[98]

Manager

[edit]

Real Sociedad[42]

Real Madrid[42]

Deportivo[99]

Beşiktaş[2]

Khazar Lankaran[2]

Wydad Athletic Club[2]

Individual honours

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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John Toshack

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John Toshack (born 22 March 1949) is a Welsh former professional footballer and manager, best known for his prolific goalscoring at , where he formed a formidable partnership with and helped secure multiple domestic and European honours, as well as his managerial successes in elevating Swansea City to the English top flight and winning with Real Madrid. Born in , Toshack began his playing career with hometown club in 1965 at the age of 16, making 162 league appearances and scoring 75 goals before transferring to in November 1970 for a then-club record fee exceeding £100,000. At , he played as a tall, technically skilled centre-forward renowned for his heading ability, appearing in 247 matches and netting 96 goals over seven seasons under and . His contributions were pivotal in a golden era for the club, including three First Division titles (1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77), two UEFA Cups (1972–73, 1975–76), an (1973–74), and the club's first European Cup in 1977, though injury limited his involvement in the latter triumph. Toshack also earned 40 caps for the national team, scoring 13 goals, and briefly returned to play for Swansea City in 1978, where he scored 25 goals in 63 appearances. Transitioning to management, Toshack took charge of Swansea City in 1978 while still a player, masterminding an extraordinary rise from the fourth tier to the First Division within four years, a feat that earned him an MBE in 1983 for services to football. His career then spanned multiple European clubs, including runners-up finishes with Sporting CP in (1984) and triumphs at , where he won the in 1987 during two spells (1985–1989 and 1991–1993). Toshack managed Real Madrid twice, first in 1989–1990—guiding them to the title with a record 107 goals scored—and again briefly in 1999, while also leading Deportivo La Coruña (1995–1997), (1997–1999), (2000), (2002–2003), and Real Murcia (2004). In 2004, Toshack returned to international management with , overseeing the team from 2004 to 2010 and leading them through qualifiers for the , , and , recording 21 wins in 53 matches overall. His later managerial roles included Khazar Lankaran (2013), Wydad Casablanca (2014–2016), and (2018), after which he retired from management, leaving a legacy as one of Wales' most influential figures in football across both playing and spheres. Since , he has faced serious health challenges, including pneumonia related to , but made a rare public appearance in September 2025.

Early years

Early life

John Benjamin Toshack was born on 22 March 1949 in , . He was raised in the Canton district of , a working-class area shaped by the city's post-war industrial landscape, where communities centered around docks, steelworks, and manual trades amid economic recovery and austerity. Toshack's father, George Toshack, originated from in , , and worked as a carpenter after relocating to during while serving in the Royal Air Force at ; he later married Joan, a local from , and the couple had two sons, John and Colin, establishing a modest family home in the area. From an early age, Toshack showed a keen interest in sports, influenced by his family's encouragement and the vibrant local culture of physical activity in post-war Canton. As a teenager, he initially pursued , emerging as a promising outside-half, but a fractured sustained during a match prompted him to shift his focus to football, aligning with the growing popularity of the sport in the community.

Youth development

Toshack grew up in the Canton area of , where his family had deep roots, with his father working as a carpenter and his mother managing the household. He attended Radnor Road Primary School, beginning his formal involvement in football at age eight when he was selected for the under-11 school team after impressing in a trial where he played for just ten minutes. His early passion for the sport was evident as he constantly practiced with a against the side of his house, honing his skills amid the local streets. After passing the exam, Toshack progressed to Canton Grammar (later known as Canton High ), where sports were initially dominated by rugby, the school's primary focus. He balanced this by playing rugby on Saturday mornings for the school team, positioning himself as a promising outside-half, while competing in afternoon football matches for , a local junior side in the District league. At age 15, a fractured sustained during a rugby game forced him to withdraw from the sport, missing a key Schools' football trial and redirecting his full attention to soccer development. This setback, however, intensified his dedication, leading to dedicated training sessions and further immersion in the local youth scene. Toshack's talent soon drew interest from professional clubs; in 1964, at age 15, he attended a trial at Tottenham Hotspur but was released after a brief assessment, an experience that made him wary of leaving home early. He also received invitations from Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers but opted to stay local, continuing to develop through Cardiff Boys and matches. By 1965, his progress culminated in signing amateur forms with hometown club at age 16, marking his entry into organized professional pathways without immediate relocation. This step solidified his commitment, positioning him within the club's youth setup under coaches like Ron Stitfall.

Playing career

Cardiff City

John Toshack made his professional debut for hometown club Cardiff City on 13 November 1965, entering as a substitute during a Second Division match against Leyton Orient at Ninian Park. Aged 16 years and 236 days, he became the Bluebirds' youngest-ever debutant and scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory, establishing a club record as the youngest goalscorer—a mark that still stands. Under manager Jimmy Scoular, who had taken charge in 1964, Toshack quickly earned a regular place in line, developing into a commanding target man known for his physical presence at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), aerial ability, and hold-up play that created opportunities for teammates. Over five seasons from 1965 to 1970, Toshack amassed 162 league appearances and scored 75 goals for in the Second Division. His early contributions were modest in the 1965–66 campaign, with 8 league appearances yielding 6 goals amid a season that saw finish ninth, but they signaled his rapid emergence as a goal threat. Toshack's form accelerated in subsequent years, underpinning Cardiff's promotion challenges. In 1966–67, he scored 10 league goals in 23 matches, helping secure a 10th-place finish. The 1967–68 season marked his breakthrough, with 18 league goals in 35 games; Cardiff reached the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup (losing to ), where Toshack scored 3 goals against Shamrock Rovers, , and Torpedo Moscow, contributing to a strong fifth-place league standing that fell just short of promotion. He led the scoring with 21 league goals from 41 appearances in 1968–69, driving another promotion push to sixth place, before adding 19 goals in 37 league outings the following year despite a dip to 12th. Scoular's faith in Toshack's blend of power and finishing honed him into a cornerstone of the attack during Cardiff's most competitive Second Division spell of the era.

Liverpool

John Toshack joined from Cardiff City on 15 November 1970 for a club record fee of £110,000, marking the most expensive transfer for a Welsh player at the time. Signed by manager as a powerful target man to bolster the forward line, Toshack made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in a 3-2 victory over Everton later that month. Over his eight seasons at from 1970 to 1978, Toshack made 172 league appearances and scored 74 goals, contributing significantly to Liverpool's dominance in English and European football. He formed a highly effective striking partnership with , first under Shankly and later under , blending Toshack's aerial prowess and hold-up play with Keegan's pace and finishing to devastating effect. This duo was instrumental in securing major honours, including two First Division titles in 1972–73 and 1975–76, the 1974 , two UEFA Cups in 1973 and 1976, the 1977 European Cup, and the 1977 . Toshack's notable contributions included scoring in the first leg of the 1977 European Cup semi-final against Club Brugge, helping secure a 2–0 win that propelled to the final in . Following Keegan's departure to in the summer of 1977, Toshack adapted to a more creative role alongside new signing , focusing on playmaking despite persistent injuries that limited his appearances in the 1977–78 season; he provided assists and key hold-up play as retained the European Cup and won the First Division title before his transfer to in February 1978.

Swansea City

Toshack returned to play for Swansea City in February 1978 upon his appointment as player-manager, becoming the youngest manager in the Football League at age 29. During his time there, he made 63 appearances and scored 25 goals while contributing to the club's rapid promotions from the Fourth Division to the First Division.

International career

John Toshack made his senior international debut for on 26 March 1969, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 friendly draw against at the city's . He scored his first goal for the national team two months later, on 3 May 1969, in a 3–5 defeat to at Wrexham's . Over the course of his international career, Toshack earned 40 caps and scored 13 goals between 1969 and 1980, establishing himself as a key figure in ' forward line during a competitive era for the team. Toshack featured prominently in Wales' qualification campaigns for major tournaments, including the , where the team competed in UEFA Group 5 alongside and . In that group, Wales secured notable victories such as a 2–0 win over in on 28 March 1973, with Toshack contributing to the attack, though they ultimately finished third with three points, behind 's five and 's four, denying the latter a place at the finals. For the qualifiers, Toshack played in UEFA Group 6 against , , , and , helping Wales to a second-place finish with four wins, three draws, and one loss, though advanced as group winners. He also participated in the 1980 qualification in Group 7 with , , and , where Wales topped the group but lost 1–2 on aggregate to in the play-offs (1–0 home win, 0–2 away loss). As a physical and commanding centre-forward, Toshack embodied the robust style that suited ' talented 1970s squad, which included midfield enforcers like and wingers such as Leighton James, drawing stylistic influences from earlier Welsh icons like in emphasizing aerial prowess and hold-up play. One of his most memorable contributions came on 31 May 1977 in the , when he scored the only goal in a historic 1–0 victory over at , tapping in a cross from James to secure ' sole win at the venue. Toshack announced his retirement from international duty in 1980, citing increasing club commitments at Swansea City as the primary reason, with his final appearance coming earlier that year.

Managerial career

Swansea City

Toshack was appointed as player-manager of City on 27 February 1978, at the age of 29, becoming the youngest manager in the Football League. At the time, the club was struggling in the Fourth Division, but Toshack quickly transformed their fortunes, leading them to promotion as runners-up in the 1977–78 season just months after his arrival. Over the next three years, he guided the team through consecutive promotions: third place in the Third Division in 1978–79, fourth place in the Second Division in 1979–80, and third place again in 1980–81, securing a historic ascent to the First Division for the first time in the club's history. In their debut top-flight campaign of 1981–82, achieved a remarkable sixth-place finish, briefly challenging for the title and earning Toshack an MBE for his services to football. Toshack's managerial style at Swansea emphasized an attacking, fluid brand of football, often employing a pioneering 3-5-2 formation with dynamic wing-backs to exploit width and create scoring opportunities. He instilled by overhauling regimens, diets, and —banning alcohol and introducing rigorous fitness routines—while blending experienced recruits from his Liverpool contacts, such as Tommy , , and , with promising talents including , , and Jeremy Charles. This integration fostered a cohesive squad that played expansive, goal-heavy football, exemplified by their 5-1 opening-day victory over Leeds United in 1981 and a strong run to the quarter-finals that season, where they defeated Chelsea 3-0 before falling to Tottenham Hotspur. Across 249 competitive matches during his primary tenure from 1978 to 1983, Toshack recorded 124 wins, achieving a win percentage of approximately 50%. Swansea's time in the First Division proved challenging beyond the initial success, with mounting financial pressures from ambitious signings and a squad stretched thin by injuries leading to relegation in 1982–83. Toshack resigned in October 1983 amid boardroom disputes over budget and strategy, briefly returned eight weeks later, but departed permanently in March 1984 after further poor results, leaving the club on the brink of further decline. Despite the turbulent end, Toshack is widely regarded as Swansea City's most successful manager, credited with elevating the club from obscurity to national prominence and laying the foundations for a golden era remembered as one of English football's greatest rags-to-riches stories.

European clubs

Toshack's first venture into European management came in 1984 when he was appointed manager of Sporting CP in , following his departure from City. He guided the team through the 1984–85 Primeira Divisão season, finishing fourth in the league standings, but resigned in May 1985 after just one year in charge, citing a desire for new challenges amid reported internal tensions at the club. In July 1985, Toshack took over at in Spain's , where he inherited a side struggling near the relegation zone. Under his leadership during his first spell from 1985 to 1989, the club stabilized and achieved significant success, including victory in the 1986–87 —their first major trophy in five years—defeating 3–1 in the final. The following season, 1987–88, finished as runners-up, their highest league position since winning the title in 1981–82, with Toshack overseeing 184 matches at an approximate 45% win rate across all competitions. Toshack's success at Sociedad earned him the role of Real Madrid manager in May 1989. In his debut 1989–90 campaign, he led the club to the title, securing a fifth consecutive championship with a record 107 goals scored—the highest tally in a 38-game season at the time—thanks to prolific contributions from forwards like and . However, the subsequent 1990–91 season saw a poor start, with Madrid languishing in eighth place by , leading to his dismissal after 18 months in charge. Returning to in 1991 initially as a technical adviser before assuming full managerial duties, Toshack's second spell lasted until November 1994, during which the club maintained competitive mid-table finishes in , including sixth place in 1993–94, while adhering to the club's Basque-only player policy. He managed 141 matches in this period, focusing on squad development and tactical discipline amid growing financial pressures at the club. Toshack moved to Deportivo La Coruña in July 1995, managing the club during its "Super Depor" era of rising prominence. Over 83 matches until his resignation in February 1997, he achieved consistent mid-table finishes—ninth in 1995–96 and seventh in 1996–97—while winning the 1995 and nurturing young talents, including the signing and integration of Brazilian Djalminha, who became a key figure in the team's subsequent successes. His departure came amid fan protests over tactical decisions, though it paved the way for Deportivo's 2000 title under his successor. In February 1999, Toshack briefly returned to Real Madrid for a second stint following the sacking of , with the club agreeing to compensate his previous employer, , approximately £373,000 to secure his services. His tenure lasted only nine months and 11 league games, marked by public criticisms of star players like and , which contributed to his dismissal in November 1999 as Madrid sat eighth in . Following his departure from Real Madrid, Toshack was appointed manager of in in October 2000. His brief tenure lasted until December 2000, during which he managed 12 matches with a points-per-match average of 1.42, helping to steady the team in mid-table before leaving due to disagreements with the board. In December 2000, Toshack returned to Real Sociedad for a third spell, managing the club until March 2002. Over 52 matches, he achieved a points-per-match average of 1.17, guiding the team to mid-table finishes while continuing to work within the Basque player policy, though results were inconsistent leading to his dismissal. Toshack then took charge of in Italy's Serie C1 in November 2002, but his stint was short-lived, ending in January 2003 after 10 matches with a points-per-match average of 1.20. The team struggled in the lower divisions, and Toshack departed amid challenges in adapting to the Italian football system. In January 2004, Toshack was appointed manager of Real Murcia in , a struggling side fighting relegation. He managed 18 matches until June 2004, earning a points-per-match average of 0.72, but could not prevent the club's drop to the second division at the end of the season. Throughout his Iberian tenures, Toshack adapted his British-influenced style—emphasizing physical conditioning, direct play, and rapid counter-attacks—to suit the technical demands of Spanish and Portuguese football, often prioritizing robust defending and set-piece exploitation to maximize limited resources at non-elite clubs.

Wales national team

John Toshack's first tenure as national team manager began in February 1994, when he was appointed on a part-time basis while continuing his role at . This short-lived spell lasted only 47 days and included just one match—a 3-1 friendly defeat to on 9 March 1994—before Toshack resigned amid disputes with of (FAW) over issues of control, player selection, and administrative interference. Toshack returned to the Wales role a decade later, appointed full-time on 12 November 2004 on a five-year contract to succeed . Over his six-year second spell, he managed 54 matches, achieving 22 wins, 8 draws, and 24 losses, for an overall win rate of approximately 41%. His leadership emphasized building team cohesion and integrating experienced players with emerging talent, though qualification for major tournaments proved elusive. In his initial full campaign, Toshack guided through qualifying in Group 6, where they finished third with 16 points from 10 matches (5 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses), narrowly missing a playoff spot after a 2-1 home loss to and a 4-0 defeat in . The team showed promise in victories over (twice) and , but defensive vulnerabilities were exposed against stronger opponents like . For UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying in Group D—a challenging group featuring Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, and San Marino—Wales managed just 11 points from 12 matches (3 wins, 2 draws, 7 losses), finishing sixth and out of contention early. Highlights included a 3-0 home win over San Marino and a 2-0 victory against Cyprus, but heavy defeats such as 3-0 losses to Germany and Slovakia underscored the gap to top teams, compounded by retirements and injuries to key players. The qualifying campaign in Group 4 saw secure fourth place with 13 points from 10 matches (4 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses), again falling short of advancement. Notable successes were home wins against (2-0) and (1-0), alongside a competitive 1-0 over , but losses to powerhouses like (3-1) and (1-0) highlighted persistent challenges. Toshack's squads featured prominent talents such as , who returned from international retirement in 2006 under his guidance and contributed significantly to the 2006 and 2010 campaigns, and , who served as captain from 2007 and provided leadership and goals across all three qualifying efforts. He also debuted young prospects like in a 2006 friendly against , laying foundations for future generations. Toshack's tenure ended on 9 September 2010, when he resigned by mutual consent following a 1-0 away defeat to in ' opening qualifier. Despite expressing a desire to continue, he cited the need for fresh direction after a disappointing start to the campaign, ending his second spell on a reflective note about the progress made in rebuilding the team.

Later international and club roles

After his successful spells in , John Toshack took on the role of manager at Turkish club in July 1997. During his tenure, which lasted until February 1999, he guided the team to victory in the 1997–98 , defeating Galatasaray on penalties in the final after a 1–1 draw in each leg. Despite this domestic success, experienced an inconsistent league campaign, finishing mid-table in the , which contributed to Toshack's departure to rejoin Real Madrid. In 2011, Toshack was appointed manager of the Macedonia national team, marking his return to international management following his time with . Over the next year, he oversaw eight matches, achieving one win, four draws, and three losses, with a points-per-match average of 0.88. His tenure focused on building team structure amid challenging qualifiers, but the team failed to secure qualification for Euro 2012, leading to a mutual parting of ways in 2012. Toshack moved to Azerbaijan in March 2013, becoming manager of Khazar Lankaran in the . In his first competitive action, he led the club to a 1–0 victory over Neftçi in the 2013 Azerbaijan Supercup, securing his initial silverware in the country. The team reached the semi-finals of the during the 2012–13 season under his guidance, though they ultimately lost in the final on penalties. Toshack resigned in November 2013 after eight months, having managed 28 matches with a win rate below 30%, as Khazar Lankaran finished fourth in the league that year. Later that year, in June 2014, Toshack took charge of Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca in the Botola Pro, embarking on his first major role in African football. Under his leadership, Wydad clinched the 2014–15 league title, finishing first with 57 points from 30 matches, including 16 wins and just three losses. The club also advanced to the semi-finals of the , but Toshack was sacked in September 2016 following a 4–0 first-leg defeat to , ending a tenure of over two years marked by domestic success amid growing expectations. Toshack's final managerial role came in June 2018 at the age of 69, when he signed a three-year contract with Iranian Pro League side Tractor Sazi. He managed seven matches, earning 1.29 points per game on average, helping stabilize the team during a transitional period. Tractor avoided significant struggles in the standings, but Toshack departed by mutual consent in September 2018 after a defeat to Sanat Naft, citing personal reasons and concluding his extensive coaching career. Throughout these later international and club positions in diverse football cultures—from and the to the , , and the —Toshack's tenures were characteristically brief, often lasting less than two years, with overall win rates remaining under 30% due to adaptation challenges and high-pressure environments.

Later life

Personal life

Toshack married Susan Elizabeth Bann on 7 June 1969 at The in Canton, , when both were aged 20. The couple had four children, including sons Cameron and Craig, as well as daughter Sally; Cameron followed in his father's footsteps as a professional footballer, notably playing for Cardiff City. The lasted 43 years but ended in in , with a granted at London's on grounds of Toshack's unreasonable behaviour. By that time, the couple had lived apart for over a decade—Susan in Gower, , since 2001, and Toshack in —largely due to the demands of his peripatetic managerial career across . Beyond football, Toshack demonstrated an interest in by publishing the collection Gosh, It's Tosh in 1976, which featured verses reflecting on key matches and personal experiences from his playing days at , such as the and a 1976 victory in . Following his from , Toshack settled in , where he had spent much of his professional life, and developed enduring ties to the Galicia region through his successful tenure at in the 1990s.

Health challenges

In February 2022, at the age of 72, John Toshack was hospitalized in , , after contracting , which led to severe requiring intensive care treatment. He spent approximately two weeks on a during his stay, which lasted several weeks overall, marking a significant health crisis following his retirement from management. Toshack later described the ordeal as "frightening," expressing relief at his survival in a interview after discharge. His son, , provided updates on his father's recovery, noting in August 2022 that he was "on the mend" and engaging in regular conversations, including offering tactical advice from his earlier in the year. Family support played a key role during this period, with Cameron, then assistant head coach at Leeds United, maintaining close contact and planning visits to aid rehabilitation. The 2022 illness had lasting impacts, leading to reduced public appearances as Toshack focused on recovery at age 73. By 2025, he continued to manage health challenges stemming from the , as evidenced by his need for a stool during a rare public event in September, though he remained active in limited capacities.

Recent honors

In September 2025, John Toshack made a rare public appearance in , , where he was presented with 's Gold and Diamonds Badge, the club's highest honor, in recognition of his managerial contributions during three spells from 1985 to 1989, 1991 to 1994, and 2000 to 2002. The presentation occurred ahead of the Real Madrid vs. match on 13 September, featuring an emotional tribute that included a guard of honor formed by players from both clubs. Toshack, who led to the 1987 and other successes, was embraced by Real Madrid manager and club officials amid a standing ovation from the crowd. Earlier in the year, on 24 January 2025, Toshack was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, honoring his distinguished career as a player and manager for , Cardiff City, , and Swansea City, among others. Toshack's earlier recognition includes the Member of the (MBE) awarded in the 1982 for services to football, particularly his transformative role in elevating Swansea City from the Fourth Division to the First Division. This honor underscored his impact on Welsh and British football during a pivotal era.

Statistics

Playing statistics

John Toshack enjoyed a distinguished playing career as a centre-forward, renowned for his aerial prowess and goal-scoring instinct, amassing 397 league appearances and 173 goals across his stints with Cardiff City, , and Swansea City. His overall goal conversion rate stood at approximately 0.44 goals per league appearance, reflecting his efficiency as a prolific striker who often thrived on service from creative midfielders. Internationally, he represented 40 times, scoring 13 goals between 1969 and 1980.

Club Career Totals (League Competitions)

ClubAppearancesGoals
Cardiff City16274
17274
Swansea City6325
Total397173
Sources: League appearances and goals aggregated from season-by-season data.

Cardiff City (League: , 1965–1970)

Toshack began his professional career at his hometown club, emerging as a key goal threat in the second tier.
SeasonAppearancesGoals
1965/6686
1966/67208
1967/683512
1968/694122
1969/703816
1970/712010
Total16274
Source: Season-by-season league data.

Liverpool (League: , 1970–1978)

Joining in 1970 for a then-club record fee, Toshack formed a potent partnership with , contributing significantly to the club's domestic and European successes during his time there.
SeasonAppearancesGoals
1970/71215
1971/722913
1972/732213
1973/74195
1974/752112
1975/763516
1976/772210
1977/7830
Total17274
Source: Season-by-season league data.

Swansea City (League: Football League Third/Fourth Division, –1984)

Returning to as a player-manager in , Toshack bolstered Swansea's attack while transitioning into coaching, helping elevate the club through the divisions. He made occasional appearances in his later managerial spell.
SeasonAppearancesGoals
1977/78136
1978/792913
1979/80165
1980/8120
1983/8431
Total6325
Source: Season-by-season league data.

International Career (, 1969–1980)

Toshack's international record included notable goals in matches and qualifiers, with a career conversion rate of 0.33 goals per cap.
PeriodCapsGoals
1969–19804013
Source: Official international record.

Managerial statistics

John Toshack's managerial career spanned over four decades, encompassing matches across various clubs and national teams, with records highlighting peaks in domestic leagues, particularly in . His overall win rate and points per match varied by role, with higher percentages in successful tenures. For national teams, Toshack managed in two stints totaling 54 matches, recording 16 wins, 11 draws, and 27 losses for a 29.6% win rate and 1.30 points per match; his brief first spell in 1994 consisted of a single loss, while the longer second stint from 2004 to 2010 showed gradual improvement in competitive fixtures. With from 2011 to 2012, he oversaw 8 matches, securing 1 win, 4 draws, and 3 losses, resulting in a 12.5% win rate and 0.88 points per match. Toshack's club records varied by stint, with stronger performances in compared to later roles in other leagues. At Swansea City, his primary tenure from 1978 to 1983 delivered steady results in English football's lower divisions. His time at across three periods demonstrated consistency in mid-table competition. Brief but impactful spells at Real Madrid showcased his ability to elevate elite teams. Subsequent roles at Deportivo La Coruña and maintained respectable win rates in competitive environments, while later appointments like Wydad marked a high point in African football with nearly 47% wins. Win rates trended higher in his early Spanish phases (around 45-56%) before stabilizing at 30-40% in international and varied club duties later in his career.

Swansea City

StintDatesMatchesWinsDrawsLossesWin %Points per Match
First1978–198311847234839.8%1.31
Second1983–198410010.0%0.00
Total-11947234939.5%1.30

Real Sociedad

StintDatesMatchesWinsDrawsLossesWin %Points per Match
First1985–198917981356345.3%1.64
Second1991–199414158315241.1%1.33
Third2000–20025215132428.8%1.17
Total-3721547913941.4%1.48

Real Madrid

StintDatesMatchesWinsDrawsLossesWin %Points per Match
First1989–19906436101856.3%2.16
Second1999361761347.2%1.75
Total-10053163153.0%2.00

Wales National Team

StintDatesMatchesWinsDrawsLossesWin %Points per Match
First199410010.0%0.00
Second2004–20105316112630.2%1.34
Total-5416112729.6%1.30

Other Major Club Roles

For Deportivo La Coruña (1995–1997), Toshack managed 83 matches with 37 wins, 14 draws, and 32 losses (44.6% win rate, 1.57 points per match). At (1997–1999), he recorded 39 wins, 12 draws, and 30 losses in 81 games (48.1% win rate, 1.77 points per match). His tenure at (2014–2016) featured 33 wins, 12 draws, and 26 losses across 71 matches (46.5% win rate, 1.87 points per match). Shorter spells, such as at Tractor FC (2018, 7 matches: 2 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses; 28.6% win rate) and (2011–2012, 8 matches: 1 win, 4 draws, 3 losses; 12.5% win rate), reflected transitional phases with lower success rates.

Honours

As player

During his playing career with Liverpool from 1970 to 1977, John Toshack was part of several successful campaigns that yielded major domestic and European honors. He contributed significantly to these triumphs, forming a prolific striking partnership with and scoring crucial goals in key matches. Toshack helped Liverpool secure the title in the 1972–73 season, their first league championship in six years, where he netted 13 goals despite missing several games due to injury. The team repeated this success in 1975–76, with Toshack scoring 23 goals across all competitions, and again in 1976–77, marking three titles during his tenure. In cup competitions, Toshack featured in Liverpool's 1973–74 victory, assisting Steve Heighway's winning goal in a 3–2 final win over Newcastle United at . He also played a pivotal role in their European successes, including the 1972–73 , where he scored the decisive goal in the second leg of the final against to secure a 3–2 aggregate triumph. Liverpool defended the in 1975–76, defeating Club Brugge 4–3 on aggregate, with Toshack starting both legs of the final. Additionally, though he was part of the squad that won the 1976–77 , injury prevented him from playing in the 3–1 final victory over in , and he was part of the squad for the 1977 , which Liverpool claimed 7–1 on aggregate against (6–0 home, 1–1 away). Prior to joining Liverpool, Toshack began his professional career at hometown club Cardiff City in 1965, making his debut at age 16, but the team did not win any major senior honors during his five seasons there, though he developed through the youth ranks without notable youth cup successes recorded.

As player-manager

John Toshack joined Swansea City as player-manager in March 1978, taking over a team rooted at the bottom of the Fourth Division. In his first partial season, he guided the club to promotion as 3rd place in the 1977–78 Fourth Division, marking the beginning of an extraordinary ascent. The following season, 1978–79, Toshack's dual role proved pivotal as Swansea secured promotion to the Second Division by finishing 1st in the Third Division as champions. Toshack contributed both on the pitch and from the touchline, scoring key goals while implementing disciplined training regimens that transformed the squad's fitness and mentality. Swansea finished 12th in the Second Division in 1979–80. The club then achieved promotion in 1980–81 by finishing 3rd in the Second Division, earning a place in the First Division for the first time in its history after a decisive 3–1 victory at Preston North End on 2 May 1981. Toshack scored nine goals that season, underscoring his active playing involvement during this rapid rise. Despite these league successes, Swansea did not claim any major trophies under Toshack's player-manager tenure, though the three promotions in four years—from Fourth to First Division—stand as the defining honors of his dual role, earning widespread recognition for one of English football's most remarkable turnarounds.

As manager

Toshack's full-time managerial career, beginning after his playing days ended in 1984, saw him achieve notable success across several countries, particularly in Spain and Morocco. His first major triumph came with Real Sociedad, where he led the team to victory in the 1987 Copa del Rey, defeating Atlético Madrid 3-1 in the final at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This marked the club's first major trophy in five years and revitalized their domestic standing. The following season, under Toshack's guidance, Real Sociedad finished as runners-up in the 1987–88 La Liga, just two points behind Barcelona, showcasing an attacking style that scored 73 goals in 38 matches. In 1989, Toshack took charge of Real Madrid and delivered immediate results by winning the 1989–90 La Liga title, the club's fifth consecutive championship. His side set records with 107 goals scored and 62 points earned in a 38-game season, emphasizing a high-scoring philosophy that propelled players like Hugo Sánchez to prominence. Despite this success, Toshack's tenure ended abruptly after just one full season due to internal conflicts. Earlier in his career as player-manager at Swansea City from 1978 to 1984, Toshack orchestrated three promotions in four years (1977–78, 1978–79, and 1980–81), elevating the club from the Fourth Division to the First Division for the first time in their history. This remarkable ascent, achieved through disciplined training and shrewd recruitment, laid the foundation for his later managerial reputation. Later, Toshack guided Wydad Casablanca to the 2014–15 Botola Pro title in his debut season with the club, ending a three-year drought and securing their 15th Moroccan league championship. His time there also included strong performances in African competitions, reaching the 2016 semi-finals, though no major continental trophy was won. As Wales national team manager in two spells (1994–1995 and 2004–2010), Toshack improved the team's qualifying efforts but achieved no major tournament successes, with the side failing to advance beyond early or qualifiers.

Individual honours

In recognition of his contributions to football as manager of Swansea City, John Toshack was appointed Member of the (MBE) in the 1982 . Toshack received the Wales Sports Personality of the Year award in 1981, honouring his achievements in guiding Swansea City to promotion and establishing them as a competitive force in English football. In March 2019, the presented Toshack with a Special Award for lifetime achievement in football, acknowledging his distinguished playing and managerial , including his of the national team on two occasions. Toshack was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame on 24 January 2025, celebrating his legacy as a pioneering Welsh footballer who rose from Cardiff City to stardom at and beyond, while earning 40 caps for . On 14 September 2025, during a match between and Real Madrid at Reale Arena, Toshack was awarded the club's Gold and Diamond Badge—its highest individual honour—in tribute to his impactful tenure as manager from 1985–1989 and 1991–1993, where he led the team to the title, and his earlier playing spell with the club. The presentation, attended by former teammate , drew a from fans and players alike.

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