Managerial Career
Having become assistant manager under Bertie Auld at Hamilton Academical, in 1984 Lambie stepped up to succeed Auld in the manager's chair. Success quickly followed as he led them to the First Division title in 1985-86 and a shock Scottish Cup defeat of Rangers at Ibrox the following season. In 1988, Lambie became Partick Thistle manager, in the first of three spells at the club. Despite moulding a team that was challenging for promotion to the top flight, he was tempted by an offer to rejoin Hamilton. Subsequently deciding that this had been the wrong move, Lambie accepted the chance to return to take over at a Thistle side whose form had plummeted in the months since he had left.
Lambie's Thistle side finally secured promotion to the Premier Division in 1992, and his motivational skills helped keep them there over the next three seasons despite meagre financial resources. This, combined with Lambie's outspoken views and quirky personality - including a fondness for cigars and pigeon racing - made him a favourite "character" in the Scottish football media.
In 1995 Lambie parted company with Thistle and, looking for a fresh challenge, took over at his old club Falkirk, leaving there in March 1996.
After this experience Lambie stayed out of senior football for a while, and it was thought he may have retired completely. However, in March 1999 he was tempted back by yet another offer from Partick Thistle, who had plummeted spectacularly since Lambie's departure. Having already been relegated twice, the club were in danger of relegation to the Third Division, when Lambie arrived. In arguably his greatest managerial feat, Lambie kept Thistle up, then went on to guide them to the Scottish Premier League following successive promotions. This period also saw the club reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals. Having once again kept Thistle in the top flight, he retired as manager in 2003, taking up a seat on the club's board. This wasn't to be entirely the end of his time as Thistle manager, however, as he did make a brief return in a caretaker capacity in December 2004, which included a 2-1 win at Firhill over league leaders (and eventual winners) Falkirk. And following the sacking of Dick Campbell in March 2007 there were calls from supporters for him to once again take on a caretaker role. However, the Thistle board decided against asking Lambie on health grounds.
Read more about this topic: John Lambie (footballer Born 1940)
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