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JOHN BENJAMIN TOSHACK
Date of Birth: 22 March, 1949
Nationality: Wales
Period at Deportivo: 1995 - 1997 (February)
Titles conquered: Supercopa (1995)
Clubs Trained: Wales (national team, 2004-now), Real Murcia (2004), Catania (2002-2003), Real Sociedad (2001-2002), St.Etienne (2000-2001), Real Madrid (1999), Besiktas (1997-1999), Deportivo (1995-1997), Wales (national team, 1994), Real Sociedad (1991-1994), Real Madrid (1989-1990), Real Sociedad (1985-1989), Sporting Lisbon (1984-1985), Swansea (1978-1984)
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When the name JOHN TOSHACK is mentioned in La Coruña, many eyebrows will be raised. In the mid-nineties he won a Supercopa at Deportivo, guided them towards the final four in the Cup Winners’ Cup and at the end of 1996 was fighting with Robson’s FC Barcelona and Capello’s Real Madrid for the first place in Spain. But at the same time he finished mid-table with Deportivo in 1996 when the Galicians had been title favorites at the start. His difficult relationship with Lendoiro, the squad and the Riazor crowd exploded early February 1997 when the team was slipping fast in the table. One of the most difficult eras in the recent history of Deportivo was closed.
About thirties year earlier, young but giant Toshack started his footballing career with Welsh club Cardiff City and in 1970 was signed by famous Liverpool coach Bill Shankly. A goal he scored against city-rivals Everton made him a hit amongst the Anfield crowd, who had initially voiced their concerns in paying a large sum for the Welshman. When one year later Kevin Keegan joined the club, both struck up an almost telepathic partnership with 'Tosh' winning everything in the air and Keegan finishing the knock downs. Such was their fame, that football magazine Shoot likened them to the comic book crimebusters Batman and Robin even taking a photograph of the pair dressed in the Dynamic Duo’s costumes.
Toshack played at Liverpool until 1978 at the age of 29. He was part of the team that won the Championship in 1973, 1976 and 1977, the FA Cup in 1974, and the UEFA Cup in 1973 and 1976. He played for the Welsh national football team at schoolboy, under-23 and full international level earning 40 caps and scoring 12 goals. However, his playing career was blighted by injuries and he was transferred to Swansea City as player-manager in 1978 (he already passed his coaching badge at the age of 18). He was an immediate success at the Vetch Field, taking them from the Fourth Division all the way to the First Division in four successive seasons.
Between 1984-1994 he spend his coaching years in Southern Europe in Portugal and Spain. In 1984, Toshack was appointed manager of the Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, but he only lasted one season in the post when Real Sociedad knocked on his door. He finished 7th and 8th (and won the Copa del Rey) with them until in 1988 his team, with legendary players like goalkeeper Arconada, Beguiristain, Bakero and (later) Deportivo players López-Rekarte and Mujíica, finished as second behind unbeatable Real Madrid. Despite finishing 11th in 1989, Toshack was picked as Don Balón’s Coach of the Year and became the successor of Leo Beenhakker at Real Madrid that year.
He continued Madrid’s reign in Spain and won the title in 1990. He was picked again as Don Balon’s Coach of the Year. With La Quinta del Buitre (reduced to four members when Pardeza left the club for Zaragoza in 1986) Real Madrid had one of the best teams in Spain and Europe during the second half of the 1980s, winning amongst others two UEFA Cups and 5 Spanish championships in a row. But their record was only blemished by their failure to win the European Cup. Neither Toshack achieved this. In his first season, the team was eliminated by AC Milan. In his second season he wasn’t given the chance to watch Madrid’s elimination in March 1991 against Radchenko’s Spartak Moscow, because in November 1990 after a 2-1 defeat at Valencia he was sacked. The board didn’t accept the fifth position of the club at that moment. The coach always had been capable to do most with limited sources at smaller clubs, but his bad relationship with Madrid president Ramón Mendoza caused a quick exit. Several years later, Toshack called his team “the best Real Madrid Spain has ever seen”. In contrary, he considered Cruyff’s Barcelona “certainly not a great team because they needed to win three titles on the final day of the season”.
Toshack returned to his old love: Real Sociedad. The Basques had finished 13th in 1991, but under Toshack finished 5th during the season 1991/1992 with a squad much less spectacular compared to four years earlier. In total, this spell was of three seasons. But neither Toshack could do miracles with the mediocre team. Mid-table football was their destination. He left Donostia to be appointed manager of Wales for the first time in 1994 following the dismissal of Terry Yorath, but only spent 41 days in the post, resigning after a 1-3 defeat to Norway.
That was his luggage when in 1995, Deportivo president Lendoiro was looking for someone to replace legendary coach Arsenio Iglesias. The team had just won their first trophy ever (the Copa del Rey) after having finished second in the Liga for two times in a row. A very experienced Deportivo squad, with most players around their thirties, had to finish the job. Deportivo were among the title favorites because of playmaker Fran, World Champions Mauro Silva and Bebeto, Zamora-winning goalkeeper Liaño, talented Manjarín and Paco, veterans Djukic and Donato at the back and World Cup participant Voro accompanying them in the Galician squad. The immense qualities of the squad were immediately shown when in August 1995 the team won the Supercopa 5-1 on aggregate against Real Madrid. The 3-0 home win in Riazor against the giants was marvelous, but winning 1-2 in Madrid didn’t completely satisfy Toshack. He made a remarkable comment by saying that “my players should feel ashamed about this title because of the way we played here”. A difficult relationship with the club and its players was born.
Deportivo confirmed their status as title favorites by winning 3-0 against Valencia in the first match of the season. But than things became more complicated. The team suffered a humiliating defeat at Compostela (4-0), later at home against Racing de Santander (2-3) and away to Real Sociedad (2-1) and Atlético de Madrid (1-0). These three defeats in a row was the worst serie of the club for many years. In October 1995 the team were 12th in the domestic league but still showed glimpses of their class: in the Cup Winners’ Cup, Apoel Nicosia was crushed 8-0 in Riazor with three goals by Bebeto. And the Brazilian magician incredibly scored all five goals in the home win against Albacete (5-0). But it was exactly Bebeto who wasn’t amused when Toshack took him off during a hard-fought victory against Sporting Gijón (1-0). Bebeto insulted Toshack’s mother, and another row was born. Later Bebeto threatened by leaving Deportivo if he was substituted again. Toshack and Atlético coach Radomir Antic openly criticized the performances of each other’s team. Toshack, among others, called Atlético “nothing special” while Antic said that Toshack “had made of Deportivo a mediocre team”.
The atmosphere didn’t change much when Deportivo stumbled towards December. A match in Bilbao was lost 1-0 in the final minutes and Deportivo hadn’t scored a Liga goal for more than 4,5 matches. Toshack said that “my squad is quite old and needs to be changed a lot to be able to think about the future”. Toshack himself was criticized for having signed veteran Beguiristain of Barcelona. The only positive aspect of these weeks was the 4-0 on aggregate elimination of Trabzonspor in the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Neither did much change during the reminder of the season. On occasions they team was inspired, like surrounding the change of year when three matches were won in a row with impressive numbers: 6-0 at Rayo Vallecano, followed by a 3-0 home win against Real Madrid (all goals scored by Bebeto) and a 2-0 victory at Real Oviedo. In January for the first time in many years a point was taken away from Barcelona (1-1) and another remarkable away win was achieved, this time at Salamanca (5-0). According to Toshack, “Deportivo have been the best Spanish team in January. Some may have equaled us, but certainly haven’t done better”. But that month also saw the exit of the Copa del Rey-holders at Tenerife and giving away a 0-1 lead at Valencia (2-1 loss). Deportivo finished the month as eighth in Spain.
In February, Toshack’s team only took two points out of a possible twelve and were tenth at the end of March 1996. The Cup Winners’ Cup was still saving the season after a 2-1 on aggregate win against Zaragoza. That month, Toshack accused his squad of having “a lack of ambition, not being hungry enough. This team lacks some bastards”. Another coach was victim of his remarks. This time Sevilla coach Víctor Espárrago didn’t like Toshack’s words that "Sevilla are the worst team to have visited Riazor this season ". "We all know who Toshack is", Espárrago said.
In April, a late and undeserved home defeat against Paris-Saint Germain (0-1) spoiled the European campaign and the team couldn’t fix it in Paris (1-0 defeat). But three wins and one draw in the Liga that April seemed to save Depor’s season. It wasn’t to be though, because the Galicians only took one point out of the final twelve and suffered a terrible 0-4 home defeat against Real Oviedo. The crowd was fed up with Toshack. “Depor sí, Toshack no” was heard in Riazor. Half a year later, Toshack said about this season’s squad that “it was the worst group of players I’ve seen in 20 years. I couldn’t identify myself with the identity of those people. They were settled, burned out and there wasn’t a future nor youth. I needed all my 18 years of experience as a coach to survive”. But during the season 1995/1996, Toshack said that rumors situating him elsewhere (Sporting Lisbon) were false. “I want to fulfill my contract until 30 June 1997. If I leave earlier, that won’t be because of me. I have a difficult but interesting job here to do”.
During the summer of 1996, Toshack got the squad change he wished. Deportivo invested millions in players like Rivaldo, Songo'o, Kouba, Naybet, Armando, Bonnissel, Martins and Madar while veterans like Aldana, Liaño, Bebeto, López-Rekarte and Villarroya left the club. It was a summer full of tension. Bebeto explained that “this season nothing worked and the coach who arrived complicated all”. When the club decided that the 1996 pre-season would be held outside of La Coruña, Toshack said that “instead of signing players for so much money, Lendoiro should have constructed training facilities”. Another blow was received by Yugoslavian midfielder Milovanovic, who was a personal pick by Toshack one year earlier. “I wanted him and I am responsible. I don’t blame him that he was signed”. Obviously, the young player was disappointed and said that “I’ve been here for a year and only was allowed to play 200 minutes, so I don’t think it’s possible to say if my signing was alright. His words hurt me. But, well, they don’t surprise me”. Toshack replied: “He should talk less and work harder”. Striker Radchenko was more firm after he was loaned out to Rayo Vallecano. “With him on the bench it’s impossible that I triumph. If he leaves, I hope to return one day”. Furthermore, Toshack said that Brazilian/Spaniard Donato (who had just played the Euro 1996 tournament and would stay at Depor until 2003) would not be a starter that campaign and the player was close to a move to Rayo Vallecano.
At the start of the season 1996/1997, Toshack himself commented that “we must forget about the three glorious years Deportivo has experienced. A new era arrives and we’ll have to take the bull by the horns. We have a good team for the next years and need the support of the crowd”. Without having qualified for European football, all eyes were set on the Liga where Deportivo would have their best start of a season ever. At the end of the year 1996, Deportivo were still unbeaten and, together with FC Barcelona, at just two points of leaders Real Madrid. The new defense was like in old times and only leaked eight goals in seventeen matches, while playmakers Martins (six goals) and Rivaldo (seven goals) made the difference. Not that the team was playing spectacular football. It was effective. Seven victories were obtained with one goal difference and seven matches were drawn.
But as always, Toshack opened his mouth when he wanted to. After Depor’s 1-1 draw against Real Madrid on the first day of the season, he called the referee "scandalous’ and openly fought out a verbal confrontation with Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz. For his part, Sanz said that “maybe he’s disappointed that he wasn’t picked as new coach of Madrid, although he was among the candidates”. Toshack received a financial punishment by the Spanish FA. The Welsh coach also criticized his own club in an interview with Don Balón. He called Deportivo “a club without a solid base, something like a castle in the air. To reach the level of the big clubs, there’s still a mountain of work to do. Deportivo is under construction and it’s important that this is made clear”. The Spanish referees also were criticized once more: “They’re all manipulated” At the end of the year, Toshack had a row with midfielder Martín-Vázquez after he took the player off minutes after bringing him on at Sevilla. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Canales left the club “hurt" because "he (Toshack) couldn’t even tell me that he didn’t counted on me”. About Depor’s supporters, Toshack said: “They always seem to have devaluated my work. But now things are changing, thanks to our good Liga position”. Deportivo had been unbeaten for seventeen consecutive Liga matches, a record by far in its history.
The expectations were high when on 4 January 1997 FC Barcelona visited Riazor. In the weeks before, Lendoiro took the total investment for that season to €31 million by signing goalkeeper Nuno, Benfica’s Hélder, midfielder Flávio Conceição (by beating Real Madrid on the transfer market) and striker Renaldo. But the magic had disappeared. Pizzi’s late goal earned Barcelona three points (0-1) and on the day after Toshack announced that, at the end of the season, he wouldn’t continue at Deportivo. This declaration might have been influenced by some paintings which were visible at the stadium, like “Toshack Go Home” and “Toshack, bastard”.
That month Deportivo threw away their title chances by taking just three points out of a possible fifteen. A Copa exit against Sevilla was avoided on penalties. The match at Real Madrid could have been a turn-around with Deportivo leading twice, but losing in the end (3-2). Depor’s Copa exit at Espanyol and the 2-2 home draw against arch-rivals Celta were too much. The gap with Real Madrid had grown to fifteen points in less than two months and the Galicians were threatened by Real Sociedad and Atlético de Madrid for the European places. Toshack himself was openly flirting with Newcastle United.
With the results not covering him anymore, his bad relationship with the squad (Flávio Conceição also had a row with him) and his almost catastrophic cooperation with Lendoiro, Toshack resigned. It’s said that he had been looking for an exit for a while already. Several days before Lendoiro already heard about his decision. At the same time, nobody at the club wanted him anymore. His relationship with the Riazor crowd was terrible. Two weeks after he had announced his departure, he had infuriated them during the home match against Bilbao. When Martins scored Depor’s second goal (2-1) just before the break, he turned towards the crowd and shouted: “Now you will be applauding, hijos de puta…”. But that wasn’t all, as Naybet made an obscene gesture and Rivaldo looked like wanting to throw his shirt at him. After the Copa match against Sevilla there was another such an incident. Earlier, Toshack was asked if there was a divorce between him and the crowd. “A divorce? To be divorced one first has to be married. And that never existed between me and the crowd. For a part of them, I’m responsible for all. But a moment arrives when I consider it to be enough”.
Deportivo still finished third that season while Toshack would coach another six clubs during the next 7 years: Besiktas, Real Madrid, St.Etienne, Real Sociedad, Catania and Murcia (where he suffered relegation). Remarkable it is that he had a third spell at Real Sociedad and a second chance at Real Madrid. He completed his come-back series by becoming coach of the national team of Wales in November 2004, a job he still occupies today. When he was appointed he said that: "After 26 years in six different countries now, over 1,000 games in the dugout, this is one of the few jobs that really motivates me. I think it's the right time for me - personally I think football management is about timing and being in the right place at the right time”. Deportivo and Toshack weren't made for each other.
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