Jock Stein was the greatest manager in the history of Celtic, and one of the most important figures in the story of British football. In 1967 he led a team of local Glasgow players, the ‘Lisbon Lions’, to become the first British club ever to win the European Cup.
From the pits
Born in Burnbank, near Hamilton in Lanarkshire, in 1922, the son of a miner, Stein went down the coal pits himself while playing football part-time. His playing career was modest, but after a spell in Wales playing full-time he returned to Celtic and, remarkably, captained the side to a league and cup double in 1954.
The making of a manager
After his playing days he turned to management, working wonders at Dunfermline and Hibernian before returning to Celtic as manager in 1965, to begin the most glorious era in the club’s long story in Glasgow football.
The Lisbon Lions
On 25 May 1967, in Lisbon, Celtic beat the Italian masters Inter Milan to win the European Cup, the first British club ever to do so, with a team every one of whom had been born within a few miles of Celtic Park. Bill Shankly told Stein he was now ‘immortal’. Under Stein, Celtic won nine league titles in a row, along with eight Scottish Cups and six League Cups, and among the young players he brought through was Kenny Dalglish.
Scotland, and a tragic end
Stein later managed Scotland, and gave a young Alex Ferguson his start as an assistant. On 10 September 1985, managing his country against Wales in Cardiff, he suffered a heart attack and died moments after the final whistle had secured Scotland’s place at the World Cup. He was sixty-two, and the whole nation mourned.
Related questions
Who was Jock Stein?
The legendary manager of Celtic, who led the club to the European Cup in 1967 and to nine Scottish league titles in a row.
What were the Lisbon Lions?
The Celtic team that won the European Cup in 1967 under Jock Stein, the first British club to do so, and famously all born within a few miles of Celtic Park.
How did Jock Stein die?
He suffered a heart attack and died in Cardiff in 1985, moments after managing Scotland to a draw with Wales that secured their World Cup qualification.
Was Jock Stein a miner?
Yes. Before his football career took off he worked as a coal miner in Lanarkshire while playing part-time.