Arsenal
After the sacking of Billy Wright in 1966, the club asked Mee to become manager, a highly surprising move, perhaps even to the man himself; Mee asked for a get-out clause for him to return to physiotherapist after twelve months if it didn't work out. Mee recruited Dave Sexton and Don Howe as his assistants, in order to make up for any tactical shortcomings of his own. In 1970 Mee led Arsenal to the Fairs Cup final against Anderlecht. After losing the first leg 3-1, Arsenal won the return match at Highbury 3-0, to claim a 4-3 aggregate victory. It ended a seventeen year drought since the last major honour - the 1953 league title.
The following season Arsenal won the league and cup double, only the second time this had been accomplished in the twentieth century. Arsenal managed to outdistance Leeds United, managed by Don Revie to win the championship with a victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Arsenal then went on to beat Liverpool in extra time to seal the FA Cup at Wembley. Shortly afterwards, Howe left Arsenal to manage West Bromwich Albion.
Arsenal had ambitions to retain their title the following season and signed Alan Ball from Everton. However their league campaign faltered and their hopes of a trophy depended on the FA Cup, where Arsenal had again reached the final, this time facing Leeds. Arsenal lost by a single goal. In the 1972-73 season Arsenal managed a serious championship challenge, at one point topping the table, but eventually finished runners-up. A run in the FA Cup was brought to an end by a semi final defeat to eventual winners Sunderland.
Mee then began to break up the team which had won the double, and players such as George Graham, Charlie George and captain Frank McLintock departed. A number of less impressive seasons saw Mee leave the job in 1976. He was replaced by Terry Neill.
Read more about this topic: Bertie Mee
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