Managerial Career
Fernie returned to Celtic in 1967, appointed reserve team coach by Jock Stein. He helped to develop young players at the club, including Kenny Dalglish, Danny McGrain and Davie Hay. Fernie was appointed manager of Kilmarnock in October 1973. He led his new charges to a 16 match unbeaten run and promotion in 1974. Kilmarnock fell two points short of the league reconstruction cut-off in 1975, but they gained promotion to the new Scottish Premier Division in 1976. However, as a part-time team, Kilmarnock struggled in the top flight and were unsurprisingly relegated in 1977. After a bad start to the following season, Fernie was sacked in October 1977 and was never again employed in football.
Disillusioned with football, he subsequently worked as a taxi driver. Fernie died in 2011, aged 82, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Read more about this topic: Willie Fernie (footballer)
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