Don Revie was one of the most influential and successful managers in English football history, who transformed Leeds United from a struggling second division club into a dominant force in the 1960s and 1970s. He was also a talented and innovative player, who pioneered the role of the deep-lying centre forward in the “Revie Plan” at Manchester City. He was a controversial figure, who attracted criticism for his pragmatic and physical style of play, his loyalty to his players, and his abrupt departure from the England national team. He was, however, a visionary and a winner, who left a lasting legacy at Leeds and in the game.
Revie was born in 1927 in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, and moved to Blackpool during the Second World War. He joined Leicester City as a teenager in 1944, and made his debut in the first division in 1946. He was a versatile and intelligent player, who could play in any position, but was mainly used as a right half. He moved to Hull City in 1949, where he scored 12 goals in 76 games, before joining Manchester City in 1951 for a then-record fee of £25,0001.
At Manchester City, Revie became the focal point of the “Revie Plan”, a tactical system devised by manager Les McDowall, which involved Revie dropping deep from his centre forward position to link up with the midfield and create space for the wingers. This was a revolutionary idea at the time, as most teams played with a traditional centre forward who stayed close to the goal. Revie adapted to the role brilliantly, and became one of the best players in the country. He was named as the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1955, and won the FA Cup in 1956, scoring in the final against Birmingham City. He also earned six caps for England, scoring four goals, and was part of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad, although he did not play in the final due to injury.
Revie left Manchester City in 1956, and joined Sunderland, where he scored 15 goals in 64 games. He then moved to Leeds United in 1958, where he scored 11 goals in 76 games, and became the club captain. He was nearing the end of his playing career, when he was offered the chance to become the player-manager of Leeds in 1961. Leeds were then a struggling second division club, who had never won a major trophy, and had a poor reputation and a small fan base. Revie accepted the challenge, and embarked on a remarkable transformation of the club.
Revie brought in a number of young and talented players, such as Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter, Peter Lorimer, and Eddie Gray, and moulded them into a formidable team. He also instilled a strong sense of discipline, loyalty, and professionalism in his players, and created a family atmosphere at the club. He was a master tactician, who studied the opposition and devised strategies to counter them. He was also an innovator, who introduced new ideas such as team tracksuits, dossiers, and motivational techniques. He led Leeds to promotion to the first division in 1964, and then to their first ever league title in 1969. He also won the FA Cup in 1972, the League Cup in 1968, the FA Charity Shield in 1969, and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1968 and 1971. He also guided Leeds to five more league runners-up finishes, three FA Cup finals, and two European finals. He made Leeds one of the most successful and feared teams in England and Europe, and also one of the most hated, due to their physical and often negative approach.
Revie was revered by the Leeds fans, who nicknamed him “The Don”, and by his players, who saw him as a father figure. He was, however, despised by many rival fans and managers, who accused him of being cynical, ruthless, and corrupt. He was also involved in several controversies, such as the 1973 FA Cup final defeat to Sunderland, when he allegedly tried to bribe the referee, and the 1974 Charity Shield brawl with Liverpool, when he ordered his players to retaliate against the opposition. He was also fined and suspended by the FA for illegal payments to players in 1972.
In 1974, Revie shocked the football world by resigning as Leeds manager to take charge of the England national team, after secretly agreeing a lucrative contract with the FA. He left Leeds without saying goodbye to his players, and was sued by the club for breach of contract. He also faced a hostile press and public, who saw him as a traitor and a mercenary. He had a disappointing and unhappy three years as England manager, failing to qualify for the 1976 European Championship and the 1978 World Cup. He quit the job in 1977, and accepted an offer to manage the United Arab Emirates, which further damaged his reputation in England. He later had spells in Middle Eastern club football with Al-Nasr and Al-Ahly, before retiring in 1984.
Revie died in 1989, aged 61, after a long battle with motor neurone disease. He was honoured with an OBE in 2007 for his services to football, and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2004. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, and as the architect of Leeds United’s glory days. He is remembered as a loyal and dedicated servant of Leeds, who had “Leeds running through his blood”.
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