John Gregory is new head coach of Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC confirmed
the highly experienced John Gregory as their new head coach for the fourth
season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday. The former England
international will be succeeding Marco Materazzi, who spent three seasons with
the Super Machans and led them to title glory in Hero ISL 2015.
“I am very excited to
have joined Chennaiyin FC and would like to thank the club owners for believing
in me and giving me this wonderful opportunity. Chennaiyin has been one of the
most consistent teams in the ISL so far and I want to continue the great work
done by Marco Materazzi in the first three seasons. I am determined to help the
club win the ISL trophy back for the people of Chennai and Tamil Nadu,” Gregory
commented on his appointment by Chennaiyin.
Born in Scunthorpe,
England, Gregory made his professional debut aged 18 for Northampton Town. A
versatile midfielder, Gregory moved to First Division Aston Villa in 1977,
where he enjoyed considerable success. His time with the Claret & Blue Army
saw him create a unique record – which remains intact to date – by becoming the
only player to slot into every outfield position, wearing each number from 2 to
11. He won six caps for his county and enjoyed brief stints at Brighton &
Hove Albion, Queens Park Rangers and Derby County before winding down his
playing career with Plymouth Argyle and Bolton Wanderers.
Gregory’s first steps into
management came with Portsmouth and then with Plymouth Argyle, who he took over
as interim manager for a short duration. This was followed by spells with
Leicester City and Aston Villa’s coaching staff before landing the role of
manager at Wycombe Wanderers.
After two years at
Wycombe Wanderers, Gregory returned to Aston Villa as their new manager and
helped them to a runners-up finish in the 2000 FA Cup against Chelsea in what
was the last FA Cup final at the Old Wembley Stadium. He also enjoyed brief managerial
tenures with Derby County and Queens Park Rangers before moving beyond English
shores to land the top job at Israeli outfits Maccabi Ahi Nazareth and FC
Ashdod.
His first taste of
football in Asia came in 2011 with Kazakhstan’s FC Kairat, whom he helped stave
off relegation in his first season with the club. The 63-year-old Englishman’s
previous managerial job took him back to England with third tier outfit Crawley
Town, where he was at the helm for a little over a year.
Speaking on Gregory’s
appointment as Chennaiyin’s new head coach, co-owner Mrs Vita Dani said: “We
are very happy to have appointed John as our head coach. He has immense
experience at the very highest level of the game both as a player and coach and
his vision and personality matches our club philosophy and ambition. We look
forward to a great season under his guidance.”