Chief National Coach

BOB HOUGHTON

F.I.F.A INSTRUCTOR (1996)

F.A. Staff Coach- England (1980)

Date of Birth 13.10.47

Bobby is a modern day global coach, having piled his trade outside the United Kingdom for almost 30 years.  During this time Bobby has coached in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, North America and Europe with unprecedented success.

Bobby started his coaching career early and proved right from the start that he was natural leading Malmo to the heights of a European Cup Final.  When Bobby joined Malmo they were still a provincial team playing Amateur Football.  Bobby took a team of players all of whom came from within 50 Km from the club, to 4 League Championships, 4 FA Cups and on a remarkable journey to the European Cup final.  Malmo eventually lost to Brian Cloughs Nottingham Forest in the Final but only after the rich European clubs had plundered the talent from his team.  Bobby is credited with laying the foundations that have made Swedish football what it is today.

Bobby’s career then took him to Greece and to the North American Soccer League with continued success.  Then his talents were signed by Al Itihad of Saudi Arabia, where Bobby delivered the club their first title in 17 years.

Bobby’s career then took him back to Sweden with Gothenberg, Malmo and then back to Al Itihad for a second time.  Then it was to Switzerland, and onto Colorado for the launch of the MLS.

In 1997 Bobby was appointed China National Team Head Coach, and the team responded immediately with their first victory over Japan in modern history.  The team Bobby built was to eventually qualify for the World Cup in 2002.

In 2005 Bobby was appointed Uzbekistan National Team Head Coach and left at the end of 2005 undefeated.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

1974-1980                                                                             Malmo FF, Sweden

European cup finalists 1981

4 League Championships

4 Cup wins

1980-1981                                                                             Ethnikos, Greece

League Runners Up

1982-1985                                                                             Toronto, NASL

2 Soccer Bowl finals

1985-1987                                                                              Al Itihad, Saudi Arabia

F.A. Cup winners- Al Itihads first title in 17 years

League Champions-League Playoff Runners Up Kings cup finalist.

1987-1989                                                                             Gothenburg O.I.S. ,Sweden

Hallsv cup winners

U.E.F.A. Qualification

1990-1993                          Malmo FF, Sweden

                                         U.E.F.A. Qualification

1993                                  Al Itihad, Saudi Arabia

                                         League Champions-League Playoff      

                                         Runners up Cup finalists

1994-1996                                                                                 F.C. Zurich, Switzerland

1996                                   Colorado Rapids, USA

  Inaugural season new US league MLS

1997                                   Nottingham Forest, England, Team

                                          Manager Promoted to premiership

1997-2000                           China F.A. National Team Manager

                                          Beat Japan for the first time in 10 years

                                          Undefeated as national Team Coach

2000-2001                            Shanghai Pudong, China, Team Manager

2001-2002                                                                                     Sichuan Dahe, China, Team Manager

   Highest league finish in clubs history

2002-2003                                                                                     Sanhua Lucheng, China, Team Manager

    Highest league finish in clubs history

2003-2005                                                                                       Chinese Football Association Coaching       Instructor Pro Licence, January 2005

2005                                     Uzbekistan National Team Head Coach

2005-06                                Shenyang Ginde, Chinese super league

June 2006 –till date                 Chief Coach India

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

1966-1969                                                                                       Fulham FC

1969-1970                                                                                         Brighton

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS :

Diploma Physical Education St. Mary's College, University of London (3 years course)

Youngest ever coach to gain an English FA full badge (‘A’ Licence)

Author of 3 books

1976                “Football”                Published by Warner    (Sweden)

1984                “How to play Soccer” Published by Penguin   (USA)

1992                “ Leadership”           Published by Liber        (Sweden)

Languages :

English, Swedish, German