Malcolm Macdonald - Football Management

Football Management

After retirement from playing, he returned to Fulham to manage them for four seasons from 1980 to 1984, and was later manager of Huddersfield Town between 1987 and 1988. His time at Fulham was initially successful, with promotion to the Second Division being achieved in 1982. In the 1982–83 season, they appeared certainties for promotion to the First Division for the majority of the season, but a slump in the later stages of the season allowed their lead to wither away and they finished 4th. The following season began as a struggle before a second half turnaround saw them into mid-table safety, however he would be replaced by his assistant Ray Harford in April 1984.

He returned to management with Huddersfield in 1987, but his time in charge proved disastrous, including a 10–1 loss to Manchester City as the side were relegated from the Second Division in dismal fashion.

However, after being declared bankrupt following a failed business venture, divorcing his second wife and struggling with the aftermath of his injury, he became an alcoholic. Macdonald said that the pain from his long-standing knee injury led to his increasing dependence on alcohol. He eventually gave up drinking in 1997.