Adrian Heath
Adrian Paul Heath (born 11 January 1961) is an English football manager and former player. He most recently served as head coach of Major League Soccer club Minnesota United FC until October 2023. As a player, he is best known for his six seasons at Everton, where he won two First Division titles and an FA Cup. As a manager, Heath initially worked in his native England before moving abroad to Orlando City, an expansion side in the American second division. Orlando City had the best start of any newly founded team in the history of American soccer,[4][5] winning multiple honours before joining MLS in 2015.[6]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adrian Paul Heath[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 11 January 1961[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Newcastle-under-Lyme, England[2] | ||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[3] | ||
| Position(s) | Striker/Attacking midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1979–1982 | Stoke City | 95 | (16) |
| 1982–1988 | Everton | 226 | (71) |
| 1988–1989 | Espanyol | 24 | (1) |
| 1989–1990 | Aston Villa | 9 | (0) |
| 1990–1992 | Manchester City | 75 | (4) |
| 1992 | Stoke City | 6 | (0) |
| 1992–1995 | Burnley | 115 | (28) |
| 1995–1996 | Sheffield United | 4 | (0) |
| 1996–1997 | Burnley | 5 | (0) |
| Total | 559 | (120) | |
| International career | |||
| 1981–1982 | England U21 | 8 | (3) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1996–1997 | Burnley | ||
| 1999 | Sheffield United | ||
| 2005 | Coventry City (caretaker) | ||
| 2007 | Coventry City (caretaker) | ||
| 2008–2010 | Austin Aztex | ||
| 2011–2014 | Orlando City | ||
| 2015–2016 | Orlando City | ||
| 2017–2023 | Minnesota United | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career edit
Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Heath started his playing career at Stoke City having joined the club from playing in the local Lads and dads League.[2] He signed a professional contract at 17 and played in the reserves under the guidance of player coach Howard Kendall, Heath's impressive performances helped the second string to 2nd in the Central League and saw him win the club's young player of the year award. Known as "Inchy" due to his small stature, he burst on to the first team scene in 1979–80 displaying great maturity in the First Division and scoring two vital goals at the end of the season which ensured Stoke's survival.[2] He scored seven goals in 41 matches in 1980–81 and five in 20 in 1981–82.[2] With Heath fast becoming one of the most sought after midfielders in the country Richie Barker allowed him to join Everton in January 1982 for a then club record fee of £750,000.[2]
He became Everton's top scorer in his second full season, scoring 18 in all competitions in the 1983–84 season. His goal against Third Division Oxford United in the League Cup quarter final is widely credited with changing Everton's fortunes in the 1983–84 season, in which they went on to reach the League Cup final (losing to Liverpool in the replay) and lift the FA Cup, their first silverware since 1970. Grabbing a poor Kevin Brock back-pass, Heath scored a goal away at Oxford to equalize the match and earn Everton a chance to turn things around.[7]
Heath was a key member of the successful Everton side of the mid-1980s, winning two league titles in 1985 and 1987 and the FA Cup in 1984. However his participation in the 1984-1985 title-winning season was cut short in December after a challenge from Sheffield Wednesday's Brian Marwood resulted in a cruciate ligament injury which kept him out for the rest of the season. It is thought that Heath was in line for a call-up to Bobby Robson's England squad at the time.[8] The injury prevented Heath from playing in the final of the European Cup Winner's Cup in which Everton beat Rapid Vienna 3-1. In 2018, the Everton Heritage Society arranged for Heath to receive a replica of the Cup Winner's Cup medal which was presented to him at Goodison Park in November 2018 during halftime of a Premier League fixture against Cardiff City.[9]
In 1988-89, Heath had a spell in Spain with Espanyol. After a single season he returned to England, where he spent the remainder of his career. In 1990 Manchester City manager Howard Kendall signed Heath from Aston Villa. Heath was one of a number of former Everton players signed by Kendall, and the transfer marked the third different club at which Heath had played under Kendall.[10] His debut came as a substitute against Charlton Athletic in January 1990.[10] During the 1990–91 season Heath forged a strike partnership with Niall Quinn, the short and agile Heath contrasting with Quinn's aerial ability. The pair started 33 matches together, though Heath scored only one goal, in the second match of the season.[11] Heath then had a barren run that lasted 46 matches[12] and came to an end in November 1991, when Heath scored two goals in a League Cup tie at Queen's Park Rangers.[13] As the 1991–92 season progressed, Heath lost his place in the team to young striker Mike Sheron.
In March 1992, Heath briefly returned to his first club Stoke City, until the end of the 1991–92 season.[2] In that brief spell back at the Victoria Ground Heath played in six league matches a play-off match against Stockport County and also played in the 1992 Football League Trophy Final which saw Stoke beat Stockport 1–0.[2] Heath also had a notable three-year stint at Burnley from 1992 to 1995, where he helped them lift the 1994 Second Division play-Off trophy. Following a brief period at Sheffield United, he returned to Burnley as player-manager before retiring at the end of the 1996–97 season which served him accolades.
Managerial career edit
England edit
Heath began his managerial career as player-manager of Burnley in March 1996. He left after the 1996–97 season having finished ninth in the Second Division. He worked with former Everton teammate Peter Reid at Sunderland, managing Sunderland Reserves to a Pontins League championship in 1999.[14] That summer, he was appointed manager of Sheffield United but he left the club after only five months. He later followed Reid to Leeds United and Coventry City. When Reid left Coventry in January 2005, Heath stepped in as caretaker. He remained at the club under Reid's successor Micky Adams and again acted as caretaker in January 2007 before leaving the club after Iain Dowie was appointed.[15][16]
United States edit
Heath was appointed manager of USL-1 expansion team Austin Aztex in February 2008[17] after a meeting with owner Phil Rawlins in a pub in Newcastle Under Lyme.[18] In 2010, the team relocated to Florida to become Orlando City, playing in the USL PRO division. In Orlando, Heath led the team to two regular season titles and the league championship in their first two years. Heath was named USL coach of the year both years.
After their successes in the USL, Orlando City SC was granted an expansion franchise in MLS for the 2015 season with Heath at the helm. On 21 November 2014, Heath signed a contract extension committing him to Orlando City through to the end of the 2017 MLS season.[5] Heath was sacked by Orlando City on 7 July 2016 following a 4–0 defeat against FC Dallas.[19]
In November 2016, Heath was hired as head coach for Minnesota United prior to their first season in MLS after a tenure in the North American Soccer League.[20] The team struggled in its early games. Through the first four games Minnesota United conceded 18 goals, more than any other MLS team had allowed in the first six games of a season.[21] Heath got his first win as United's manager with a 4–2 home victory over Real Salt Lake.[22] On October 6, 2023, Heath and Minnesota United parted ways after seven seasons at the club. He was the only manager that Minnesota United have had in their Major League Soccer history.
Career statistics edit
As a player edit
Source:[23]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[A] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Stoke City | 1978–79 | Second Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1979–80 | First Division | 38 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 5 | |
| 1980–81 | First Division | 38 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 7 | |
| 1981–82 | First Division | 17 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 5 | |
| Total | 95 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 17 | ||
| Everton | 1981–82 | First Division | 22 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 6 |
| 1982–83 | First Division | 38 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 11 | |
| 1983–84 | First Division | 36 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 18 | |
| 1984–85 | First Division | 17 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 26 | 13 | |
| 1985–86 | First Division | 26 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 40 | 15 | |
| 1986–87 | First Division | 41 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 52 | 16 | |
| 1987–88 | First Division | 29 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 12 | |
| 1988–89 | First Division | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |
| Total | 226 | 71 | 29 | 6 | 35 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 307 | 93 | ||
| Espanyol | 1988–89 | La Liga | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| Aston Villa | 1989–90 | First Division | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 1989–90 | First Division | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| 1990–91 | First Division | 35 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 1 | |
| 1991–92 | First Division | 28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 3 | |
| Total | 75 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 89 | 6 | ||
| Stoke City | 1991–92 | Third Division | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Burnley | 1992–93 | Second Division | 43 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 22 |
| 1993–94 | Second Division | 41 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 53 | 10 | |
| 1994–95 | First Division | 27 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |
| 1995–96 | Second Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 115 | 28 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 143 | 34 | ||
| Sheffield United | 1995–96 | First Division | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Burnley | 1995–96 | Second Division | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996–97 | Second Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Career Total | 559 | 120 | 50 | 13 | 63 | 13 | 31 | 5 | 703 | 151 | ||
- A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the FA Charity Shield, Football League Trophy, Football League play-offs, Full Members Cup, Mercantile Credit Centenary Trophy, Screen Sport Super Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
As a manager edit
- As of 5 October 2023[24]
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Burnley | 7 March 1996 | 27 June 1997 | 71 | 26 | 18 | 27 | 36.62 |
| Sheffield United | 15 June 1999 | 23 November 1999 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 30.43 |
| Coventry City | 6 January 2005 | 23 January 2005 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.33 |
| Coventry City | 17 January 2007 | 19 February 2007 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 20.00 |
| Austin Aztex | 1 July 2008 | 24 October 2010 | 68 | 24 | 15 | 29 | 35.29 |
| Orlando City (USL Pro) | 25 October 2010 | 31 December 2014 | 122 | 82 | 23 | 17 | 67.21 |
| Orlando City (MLS) | 1 January 2015 | 7 July 2016 | 78 | 26 | 21 | 31 | 33.33 |
| Minnesota (MLS) | 29 November 2016 | 6 October 2023 | 248 | 92 | 56 | 100 | 37.10 |
| Total | 616 | 259 | 151 | 206 | 42.05 | ||
Personal life edit
Honours edit
Player edit
Everton
- Football League First Division: 1984–85, 1986–87
- FA Cup: 1983–84
- FA Charity Shield: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1984–85
- Football League Cup runner-up: 1983–84
Stoke City
Burnley
Manager edit
Orlando City
Minnesota United
- U.S. Open Cup runner-up: 2019
Individual
References edit
- ^ "Adrian Heath". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Stoke City 101 Golden Greats. Desert Islands Books. 2002. ISBN 1-874287-55-4.
- ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
- ^ "Orlando City Posts Best Record Through First 100 League Games | Orlando City Soccer Club".
- ^ a b . Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ Veness, Simon (19 March 2014). "Adrian Heath guides Orlando City to the promised land of MLS". TheGuardian.com.
- ^ Pye, S How Howard Kendall saved his job at Everton and won the FA Cup in 1984 2015 [Accessed 2021]
- ^ Hart, S. Adrian Heath interview: Former Everton striker prepares his Orlando City side for the MLS 2014 [Accessed Jan 2022]
- ^ Royden, M. Adrian Heath receives his 1985 European Cup Winner’s Cup Medal from EFC Heritage Society 2021 [Accessed Jan 2022]
- ^ a b Penney, Ian (1995). The Maine Road Encyclopedia. Edinburgh: Mainstream. p. 93. ISBN 1-85158-710-1.
- ^ James, Gary (2006). Manchester City – The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon. p. 449. ISBN 1-85983-512-0.
- ^ Buckley, Andy; Burgess, Richard (2000). Blue Moon Rising: The Fall and Rise of Manchester City. Bury: Milo. pp. 32–3. ISBN 0-9530847-4-4.
- ^ James, Manchester City - The Complete Record, pp. 450–1
- ^ "Football: Heath takes over at Blades". The Independent. from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ "Adams sacked by City". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Dowie takes over as Coventry boss". BBC Sport. 19 February 2007.
- ^ . Austin Aztex Soccer Club. SunHerald. 21 February 2008. Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
- ^ "Adrian Heath interview: Former Everton striker prepares his Orlando". Independent.co.uk. 30 October 2014. from the original on 31 October 2014.
- ^ DelGallo, Alicia. "Orlando City fires head coach Adrian Heath". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ "Minnesota United names Adrian Heath head coach ahead of first MLS season". ESPN FC. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ "New England condemns Minnesota to inglorious record; Timbers toppled". ESPN FC. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Minnesota United finally won their first match with of mix of good attacking and a Nick Rimando error". FOX Sports. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- ^ Adrian Heath at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
- ^ "Adrian Heath". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ "Orlando City signs Harrison Heath, son of coach Adrian Heath – Orlando Sentinel". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ^ . USL Pro. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ^ . USL Pro. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
External links edit
- Adrian Heath at Soccerbase
- Adrian Heath management career statistics at Soccerbase