Danny McLennan

Daniel Morrison McLennan (5 May 1925 – 11 May 2004) was a Scottish football player and coach. As a player, he was a Scottish League Cup winner with East Fife. His extensive coaching career took him all around the world and spanned a period of forty years, during which he managed ten national teams: the Philippines, Mauritius, Rhodesia, Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, Malawi, Jordan, Fiji and Libya.

Playing career

Born in Stirling, McLennan represented Scotland at schoolboy international level and played junior football for Lochore Welfare. He joined Rangers as a 17–year-old apprentice, but after failing to break through to the first team he moved to Falkirk. McLennan's most successful spell as a player was at East Fife from 1947 to 1957. He was part of the team that won the Scottish League Cup in 1953. He played briefly for Dundee before joining Berwick Rangers as player–manager.

Management career

His first coaching role came as player-manager of Berwick Rangers in 1957, and went on to coach the national teams of the Philippines, Mauritius, Rhodesia, Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, Malawi, Jordan, Fiji, and Libya.

McLennan lead Stirling Albion to promotion to the top division in 1961, and to the semi-finals of Scottish League Cup for the first time, also in 1961.

With both Rhodesia, in 1970, and Iran, in 1974, McLennan almost qualified for the FIFA World Cup, but lost out in the play-off round twice.

He took Malawi to its first African Cup of Nations in 1984. Unfortunately a rigged draw between Algeria and Nigeria ended any hopes of qualifying from the group. He also managed Indian club Churchill Brothers.