Paul Hegarty

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Paul Anthony Hegarty (born 25 July 1954 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish former footballer. He is the current manager of Scottish First Division side Livingston as of December 2008 but on April 24, 2009 he was suspended from his position with former boss David Hay taking charge until the end of the season. He was captain of Dundee United during their most successful era in the 1970s and 1980s and won eight international caps for Scotland.

[edit] Playing career

Hegarty's senior career began as a striker with Hamilton Accies in 1972. In November 1974, Dundee United manager Jim McLean signed him for a fee of £27,500. Two years later, McLean transformed Hegarty's career when he experimented by pairing him with Dave Narey in United's central defence. The partnership they forged would be integral to United's successes for over a decade, and Hegarty, never more than an average forward, would develop into a top class central defender. As club captain, Hegarty led United to their first ever major trophy, the Scottish League Cup in 1979, which they retained the following year.

In 1982-83, Hegarty was an ever-present as United captured the Scottish League title. He also featured in many notable victories in European competition, albeit injury restricted his participation in United's run to the UEFA Cup final in 1987.

[edit] International career

Hegarty represented his country between 1979 and 1983, captaining the side against Northern Ireland in his eighth and final appearance for Scotland. He also turned out for the under-21 side as a permitted over-age player and represented the Scottish League.

[edit] Later career, management and coaching

In recognition of his contribution to Dundee United, the club allowed him to leave on a free transfer in January 1990. He briefly played for St. Johnstone, helping them to promotion, before joining Forfar Athletic as player/manager. His tenure at Station Park ended in relegation in 1992 and Hegarty left shortly afterwards. Hegarty's next role was a return to Dundee United when he was offered a position on the club's coaching staff. After leaving Tannadice again in 1995 he went on to work for Hearts and Aberdeen in coaching capacities, returning to management at Aberdeen. Following the dismissal of Alex Miller, he was appointed as manager on an interim basis in January 1999. However, despite saving the club from relegation, Aberdeen elected at the end of the season not to continue with Hegarty in the job on a long-term basis. Once again, Dundee United offered Hegarty a coaching role, which became a manager role in October 2002 after chairman Eddie Thompson was unable to prise first-choice Ian McCall from Falkirk.^[1] Initially appointed as caretaker,^[2] Hegarty's role was to be extended until the end of the season^[3] before he was sacked in January 2003 – and subsequently replaced with McCall.^[4]

Since his latest departure from Tannadice, Hegarty continued to work in coaching, having been on the staff of both Livingston^[5] and Dunfermline.^[6] While at Dunfermline, Hegarty was approached by Inverness CT to be part of the management with former Dundee United colleague Maurice Malpas,^[7] although the move never materialised. He was eventually appointed as assistant to Malpas at Motherwell on 25 May 2006,^[8] although later replaced by Scott Leitch when Malpas was sacked in June 2007.^[9] In March 2008, Hegarty was reported to be on new Scotland manager George Burley's scouts for the World Cup qualifying group.^[10] However, in December 2008 he was appointed as the manager of Livingston after Roberto Landi was sacked. ^[11]

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] Honours

[edit] Dundee United

• Scottish League Premier Division: 1
  

1982-83

• Scottish League Cup: 2
  

1979-80, 1980-81

[edit] St Johnstone

• Scottish First Division: 1
  

1989-90

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Dundee United Legends Profile
• Paul Hegarty management career stats at Soccerbase