Jack Ross
Ross playing for St Mirren in 2009
Personal information
Full name John James Ross[1]
Date of birth (1976-06-05) 5 June 1976 (age 47)
Place of birth Falkirk, Scotland
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Newcastle United
(Head of coach development)
Youth career
1992–1993 Dundee
1993–1995 Forfar Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1999 Camelon Juniors
1999–2004 Clyde 159 (9)
2004–2005 Hartlepool United 23 (0)
2005–2008 Falkirk 76 (2)
2008–2010 St Mirren 64 (1)
2010 Hamilton Academical 2 (0)
2010–2011 Dunfermline Athletic 0 (0)
Total 324 (12)
International career
2009 Scotland B 1 (0)
Managerial career
2015–2016 Alloa Athletic
2016–2018 St Mirren
2018–2019 Sunderland
2019–2021 Hibernian
2022 Dundee United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John James Ross (born 5 June 1976) is a Scottish professional football coach and former player, who was most recently the manager of Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

During his playing career, Ross played as a defender and midfielder. From 1992 to 1995 he played for youth sides at Dundee and Forfar Athletic, before dropping to the Scottish Junior leagues for first team action at Camelon Juniors. He then returned to the Scottish Football League in 1999 with Clyde, before a short stint in England with Hartlepool United in 2004. He returned to Scotland a year later and played for Falkirk, St Mirren, Hamilton Academical and Dunfermline Athletic until he retired in 2011 due to a knee injury. He also played once for a Scotland B team, in 2009.

Upon retiring, Ross started as a coaching career at Dumbarton, as assistant manager for both Alan Adamson and later Ian Murray, and was caretaker manager between them. He became the coach of the Heart of Midlothian under-20 team in July 2014. Ross was appointed Alloa Athletic manager in December 2015. In October 2016, he was appointed manager of St Mirren, leading them to the 2017–18 Scottish Championship title and was named PFA Scotland Manager of the Year, before leaving to become manager of Sunderland in May 2018. Ross was sacked by Sunderland in October 2019, and was then appointed by Hibernian a month later.

Ross guided Hibernian to a third-place finish in 2021 and two cup final appearances, but was sacked in December 2021. Ross was appointed Dundee United head coach in June 2022, but was sacked two months later after just seven games in charge.

Playing career

Early career

Ross had spells as a youth player at Dundee and Forfar Athletic. He then moved to Camelon Juniors, where he featured in their 1996 Scottish Junior Cup run, before losing in the final. He joined Clyde in 1999, playing in many different positions before settling in the right midfield role. He was made captain of the team when Ian Spittal was the team coach.

Moving to England

Ross signed a pre-contractual agreement with Hartlepool United in April 2004.[2] Ross suffered ankle ligament damage and spent a large part of his time on the sidelines.[3] Hartlepool funded his rehabilitation and also allowed him to return home. However, Ross refused to return to Hartlepool, train or play for the club and asked Hartlepool's chairman Ken Hodcroft to tear up his contract claiming he was homesick. Hartlepool refused and asked for compensation and a refund of agent fees.[4][5] Ross left without consent and later went on sick and claimed that he would not return to Hartlepool even if "they were in the Champions League". He also criticised Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper for feeling let down by his actions, stating that "maybe the manager thinks I have let him down but that's nothing compared with how I feel about him". On 31 July 2005, Hartlepool agreed to terminate his contract after finally receiving compensation, which included a refund of the fees paid to Ross's agent.[4]

Return to Scotland

Ross transferred to his home town club, Falkirk, in 2005 and was a regular in the team. Falkirk manager John Hughes warned Ross when he stalled on signing a new contract.[6]

On 30 April 2008, it was announced that Ross had signed a pre-contract agreement with St Mirren and joined them at the end of the season on a two-year deal.[7] Ross scored his first goal for St Mirren against Dundee United at Tannadice Park on 24 January 2009.

Having been released by St Mirren at the end of the 2009–10 season, Ross joined Hamilton Academical on a one-year contract.[8] His contract with Hamilton Academical was cancelled after only three games.[9] A few weeks later Ross signed for Dunfermline until the end of the 2010–11 season.[10] He sustained a knee injury in training which led to his eventual retirement from football without having played a game for the Pars.[11]

International career

Ross won his solitary cap for Scotland at junior level in 1999.[12] In April 2009 he was included in George Burley's Scotland B squad for the match against Northern Ireland B at Broadwood Stadium. He came on at the start of the second half, replacing St Mirren teammate Scott Cuthbert, in a 3–0 win on 6 May.[13]

Coaching career

Early career

In 2011, Ross joined Dumbarton as assistant manager to Alan Adamson. He became caretaker manager following Adamson's sacking in October 2012. During this spell he led Dumbarton to their first Scottish First Division victory in 16 years, with a 1–0 victory over Cowdenbeath. Despite this he was overlooked for the job and continued as the assistant manager to Adamson's successor Ian Murray in November of that year.[14]

On 1 July 2014, Ross joined the Heart of Midlothian coaching staff.[15] He left this position in October 2015.[16]

Alloa Athletic

In December 2015, Ross was appointed manager of Scottish Championship club Alloa Athletic.[17] He was unable to stop the part-time club from being relegated from the second tier.[18] Despite their relegation to Scottish League One, Ross was given a new contract by Alloa in April 2016.[18] He led Alloa Athletic to a club-record 10-game winning streak in all competitions at the start of season 2016–17.[19] His part-time side held Celtic to a 0–0 draw for the first 83 minutes at Celtic Park in the Scottish League Cup on 21 September 2016, before conceding two late goals to exit the competition.[20] Ross left the side in second place in the Scottish League One table before leaving.[21] His last game in charge was a 4–2 victory at Bala Town in the Scottish Challenge Cup.[22]

St Mirren

Ross was appointed manager of St Mirren in October 2016.[23] His first game in charge was a 2–0 home loss to Dundee United,[24] but he guided St Mirren to safety in the 2016–17 Scottish Championship.[25] At the end of the season, Dundee approached St Mirren about Ross becoming their manager, but he decided to stay with the Paisley club.[25]

St Mirren built a large lead in the 2017–18 Scottish Championship, going 14 points clear at the top in February.[26] Ross was interviewed for the manager position at EFL Championship club Barnsley at this time, but he again decided to stay with St Mirren.[26] They went on to win the Scottish Championship and promotion to the Scottish Premiership, while Ross won the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award for 2017–18.[27] In May 2018, Ipswich Town[28] and Sunderland[29] were given permission by St Mirren to talk with Ross about their managerial vacancies.

Sunderland

Ross was appointed manager of Sunderland on 25 May 2018, on a two-year deal.[30] The club had suffered a second consecutive relegation to EFL League One, and he was the first arrival under new owner Stewart Donald.[31] In his first season in charge, Ross led the club to the final of the League One play-offs following a 1–0 aggregate win over Portsmouth in the semi-finals.[32] However, they went on to lose in the final to Charlton Athletic.[33] On 8 October 2019, his managerial contract was terminated by the club as they sat sixth in the League One table.[34]

Hibernian

Scottish Premiership club Hibernian appointed Ross as their head coach on 15 November 2019, on a 31⁄2-year deal.[35] He finished his first season in 7th of 12 teams, dropping one place after the season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the table finalised on points-per-game.[36]

In 2020–21, Ross guided Hibs to the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup, where they lost 3–0 to St Johnstone. He argued with BBC Scotland reporter Kenny MacIntyre after the game, accusing him of disrespect.[37] Hibs finished the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership in third place, their highest finishing position in 16 years. They also reached the 2021 Scottish Cup Final, but lost 1–0 to St Johnstone.[38]

In July 2021 Ross agreed a new contract with Hibs, which was due to run until the end of the 2023–24 season.[39] He was sacked in December 2021, after a run of seven defeats in nine league games. Jack Ross was also widely criticised over the style of football he deployed often described as "dull" and "boring.[40] His dismissal came 10 days before the team were due to play in the League Cup final.[40]

Dundee United

Ross was appointed head coach of Dundee United in June 2022 on a two-year deal.[41] He led the team in their initial 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying campaign, culminating in a 7–1 aggregate loss to AZ Alkmaar, matching the record greatest loss inflicted on a Scottish Club in a European competition.[42] Two days after a 9–0 defeat to Celtic, which left the club at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, Ross was sacked by United on 30 August 2022, after only seven games in charge.[43]

Newcastle United

On 31 March 2023, Ross was announced as interim head of coach development at Newcastle United.[44]

Other activities

Ross was chairman of the PFA Scotland players' union[30] until February 2013, when he was succeeded by John Rankin;[45] he also worked with the worldwide FIFPro union alongside part-time coaching roles.

He wrote a blog for the BBC Sport website during his playing career,[46] and authored two children's books.[30] He holds a master's degree in economics from Heriot-Watt University.[47]

Managerial statistics

As of match played 28 August 2022[17]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Alloa Athletic 15 December 2015 8 October 2016 34 13 8 13 038.24
St Mirren 8 October 2016 25 May 2018 80 42 13 25 052.50
Sunderland 25 May 2018 8 October 2019 75 38 27 10 050.67
Hibernian 15 November 2019 9 December 2021 96 47 20 29 048.96
Dundee United 20 June 2022 30 August 2022 7 1 1 5 014.29
Total 292 141 69 82 048.29

Honours

Player

Camelon

Clyde

St Mirren

Manager

St. Mirren

Sunderland

Hibernian

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Jack Ross". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Hartlepool clinch Ross move". BBC News. 23 April 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Ross may be out for six weeks". Northern Echo. 2 March 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  4. ^ a b Pool say farewell to Ross
  5. ^ Pool say farewell to Ross[dead link]
  6. ^ "Falkirk players warned over deals". BBC News. 2 March 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  7. ^ "St Mirren snap up Bairns player". BBC News. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Jack Ross secures contract at Hamilton Accies". BBC Sport. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  9. ^ "Jack Ross set for Hamilton exit after just two matches". Daily Record. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  10. ^ "Jack Ross to join Pars". Dunfermline Athletic official website. 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012.
  11. ^ "Coming and Going at EEP". Dunfermline Athletic official website. 3 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
  12. ^ Ross celebrates a Scotland double The Daily Telegraph 05-05-2009. Retrieved 15-10-2013.
  13. ^ Duncan, Colin (7 May 2009). "Scotland B 3 Northern Ireland B 0". Daily Record. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  14. ^ Findlay, Alan. "Murray is new Sons boss". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  15. ^ Jack Ross to leave Dumbarton to lead Hearts U20s, BBC Sport.
  16. ^ "Under-20s manager Jack Ross leaves Hearts with immediate effect". STV Sport. STV. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Alloa Athletic name Jack Ross as their new manager". BBC Sport. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  18. ^ a b "Alloa Athletic: Manager Jack Ross to continue with relegated club". BBC Sport. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  19. ^ "Perfect ten for Alloa Athletic as 3–0 win over East Fife in Irn Bru Cup sets new club record". Alloa Advertiser. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  20. ^ "Celtic 2:0 Alloa Athletic". BBC Sport. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  21. ^ "Alloa Athletic 1 Airdrieonians 2: Diamonds sparkle to notch up vital league win". Daily Record. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  22. ^ "Bala Town 2:4 Alloa Athletic". BBC Sport. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  23. ^ Mullen, Scott (4 October 2016). "Jack Ross confirmed as new St Mirren manager". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  24. ^ "St Mirren 0:2 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  25. ^ a b "St Mirren: Jack Ross expected to sign new deal despite Dundee interest". BBC Sport. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  26. ^ a b "St Mirren manager Jack Ross to stay at club after Barnsley talks". BBC Sport. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  27. ^ a b c Currie, Scott (29 April 2018). "St Mirren's Jack Ross named PFA Scotland manager of the year". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  28. ^ "Jack Ross: St Mirren give manager permission to speak to Ipswich Town". BBC Sport. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  29. ^ Stone, Simon (23 May 2018). "Jack Ross: Sunderland given permission by St Mirren to speak to boss". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  30. ^ a b c Jack Ross keen to write a thrilling new chapter in Sunderland’s history, Louise Taylor, The Guardian, 1 August 2018
  31. ^ "Jack Ross: Sunderland name St Mirren boss as new manager". BBC Sport. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Portsmouth 0–0 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  33. ^ "League One play-off final: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  34. ^ "Jack Ross leaves SAFC – SAFC". Sunderland AFC. 8 October 2019.
  35. ^ "Jack Ross: Hibernian appoint former Sunderland manager". BBC Sport. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  36. ^ Delaney, James (18 May 2020). "Hibs finish seventh in Scottish Premiership as SPFL uses average points to calculate final standings". Edinburgh Live. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  37. ^ "Jack Ross in furious BBC blast as Hibs boss hits out at 'disrespectful' interview". Edinburgh Live. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  38. ^ Lindsay, Clive (22 May 2021). "St Johnstone 1–0 Hibernian". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Jack Ross: Hibernian head coach extends contract until 2024". BBC Sport. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  40. ^ a b McLauchlin, Brian (9 December 2021). "Hibernian: Jack Ross exits as head coach". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  41. ^ "Jack Ross: Dundee United appoint former Hibernian boss as head coach". BBC Sport. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  42. ^ "Dundee United slumped to the joint heaviest European defeat by a Scottish side as AZ Alkmaar marched into the Europa Conference League play-offs". BBC Sport. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  43. ^ "Jack Ross sacked as Dundee Utd head coach after just seven games". BBC Sport. 30 August 2022.
  44. ^ "Jack Ross joins Newcastle United's Academy". NUFC. 31 March 2023.
  45. ^ Newport, Andy (26 February 2013). "John Rankin appointed as PFA Scotland chairman". The Scotsman. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  46. ^ "Jack Ross's Blog". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  47. ^ "Sunderland's Jack Ross: 'I'll never regret accepting this job, whatever happens'". The Guardian. 5 October 2018.
  48. ^ "Scottish Junior Cup Finals 1990-1999". SJFA. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
    "Jack Ross: I'll enjoy final – it has taken me 14 years to get here from junior football". Daily Record. 7 February 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  49. ^ "Farewell To.... Jack Ross". Clyde FC. 9 June 2005. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  50. ^ "St Mirren 0-1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
    "Scottish League Cup Final: St Mirren 0-1 Rangers". RTE. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  51. ^ "Renfrewshire Cup Final 2009/10". SMFC Programmes. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  52. ^ "Dundee United 2 St. Mirren 1". BBC Sport. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
    "Dundee United 2 St Mirren 1 as Thomas Mikkelsen is the hero as Terrors win Irn-Bru Cup". Daily Record. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  53. ^ Williams, Adam (31 March 2019). "Portsmouth 2–2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  54. ^ "St Johnstone: Is cup double the greatest season in Scottish football?". BBC Sport. 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  55. ^ "Ross voted Manager of the Year". spfl.co.uk. 14 May 2018. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  56. ^ "Jack Ross named Manager of the Month". Sunderland Association Football Club. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.

External links

PFA Scotland Manager of the Year
Managerial positions
Categories