Graham Coughlan (born 18 November 1974) is an Irish professional
football manager
''Football Manager'', also known as ''Worldwide Soccer Manager'' in North America from 2004 to 2008, is a series of football management simulation video games developed by British developer Sports Interactive and published by Sega. The game beg ...
and former
player
Player may refer to:
Role or adjective
* Player (game), a participant in a game or sport
** Gamer, a player in video and tabletop games
** Athlete, a player in sports
** Player character, a character in a video game or role playing game who i ...
who played as a
centre back
In the sport of association football, a defender is an Glossary of association football terms#O, outfield player whose primary role is to stop attacks during the game and prevent the opposition from scoring.
Defenders fall into four main categ ...
. He is manager of club
Boston United
Boston United Football Club is a semi-professional association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. The club participates in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system.
The club is known as 'the ...
.
Coughlan began his career in his native Ireland with
Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers Football Club are an Irish association football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club in its present form was founded in 1942 in Bray, and was known until 2010 as ''Bray Wanderers A.F.C.'' It was elect ...
, before being signed by
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is a professional football club based in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, which competes in the , the second level of the English football league system. They have played home matches at Ewood Park since 1890. Th ...
. He joined
Livingston in 1999 and his performances for the Scottish club led to a transfer to
Plymouth Argyle two years later. He was an integral member of the squad that won two
Football League
The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional association football, football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, it is the oldest football league in Association football around the world, the w ...
divisional championships between 2002 and 2004, and was a favourite among supporters for his uncompromising style of play at the heart of their defence. Coughlan joined
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is a professional association football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system.
Formed in 1867 as an off ...
in 2005, before dropping down to
League Two to play for
Rotherham United
Rotherham United Football Club, nicknamed The Millers, is a professional association football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The team plays in EFL League One, the third tier of English football, after suffering relegation fr ...
. He moved on to
Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. The team currently competes in , the fourth tier of the English football league system.
Founded in 1886, the club were inaugur ...
a year later and combined playing duties with coaching their young players. He signed for Southend United in July 2010, taking up a coaching position at the club in 2013, before going on to manage
Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers FC is a men's professional football club in Bristol. The team competes in , the fourth tier of the English football league system. The club is affiliated to Bristol Rovers W.F.C., whose team play in the FA Women's National Leag ...
and
Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. The team competes in , the third level of the English football league system.
The club was formed in 1897 as Mans ...
.
Playing career
Early years
Coughlan started his playing career at
Leinster Senior League side
Cherry Orchard, he then briefly moved to
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is a national association football Sports league, league consisting of professional clubs in the Republic of Ireland and Derry, Derry City in Northern Ireland. It is governed by the Football Association of Ireland. It was ...
club
Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers Football Club are an Irish association football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club in its present form was founded in 1942 in Bray, and was known until 2010 as ''Bray Wanderers A.F.C.'' It was elect ...
. At 21, he was brought to England by then
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is a professional football club based in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, which competes in the , the second level of the English football league system. They have played home matches at Ewood Park since 1890. Th ...
manager
Management (or managing) is the administration of organizations, whether businesses, nonprofit organizations, or a government bodies through business administration, nonprofit management, or the political science sub-field of public administra ...
Ray Harford
Raymond Thomas Harford (1 June 1945 – 9 August 2003) was an English footballer, better known for his successes as a coach and manager than as a player. He is considered to have been one of the top coaches of his generation.
During his playi ...
but struggled to earn a place in the
Premier League
The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
Champions' first team. Loan spells at
Swindon Town
Swindon Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. The team, known as the "Robins", currently compete in , the fourth level of the English football league system.
Founded as Swindon A ...
and
Livingston followed before he made a permanent move to the Scottish club in the Summer of 1999 having impressed whilst on loan there. Coughlan spent two successful seasons at
Livingston before moving back to England to
Devon
Devon ( ; historically also known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west ...
club Plymouth Argyle.
Plymouth Argyle
A highly successful four-year spell at the club followed, with Coughlan a permanent fixture, earning his name in the PFA Division Three team of the year for 2001–02.
He played a key role in Plymouth's Championship-winning teams for Division Three, where he was top goalscorer, and Division Two where he was named as Division Two's Player of the year. Coughlan was voted the club's player of the year in 2002 and was also named in the greatest Plymouth Team by fans to mark the club's first 100 years as a professional club. Coughlan was also Vice-Captain of Plymouth and his influence and stature was missed for nearly two seasons in their defence after he was sold to
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is a professional association football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system.
Formed in 1867 as an off ...
which they then managed to fill with
Krisztián Timár
Krisztián is a given name. Notable people with the name include:
* Krisztián Adorján (born 1993), Hungarian footballer
* Krisztián Bártfai (born 1974), Hungarian sprint canoeist
*Krisztián Berki (born 1985), Hungarian artistic gymnast
* Kris ...
.
Sheffield Wednesday
In the summer of 2005, he was reunited with former manager
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock (born 10 October 1956) is a Scottish former football coach and former player.
As a player, Sturrock spent his entire senior career with Dundee United, making more than five hundred appearances between 1974 and 1989. He w ...
when he moved back north to newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee. During his first season at the club Graham proved to be a hit with the fans and management alike, earning a regular place in the team and also taking over the role of
captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...
from
Lee Bullen
Lee Bullen (born 29 March 1971) is a Scottish former professional football player and coach. In a career that spanned more than 20 years, Bullen played football professionally in Scotland, England, Australia, Greece and Hong Kong. Having started ...
whilst the Scot's injury problems regularly kept him out of the team.
On 12 April 2006, Coughlan was named Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Year 2005–06. It was the fifth time Graham has won such an award, having previously being named Player of the Year twice at Livingston and twice at Plymouth.
In March 2007, Coughlan was allowed compassionate leave following the death of his brother.
He missed five games, and on his return was made train with the youth team by Brian Laws so he asked to be sent on loan after failing to feature for the first team under new boss
Brian Laws
Brian Laws (born 14 October 1961) is an English former professional footballer and manager.
Playing as a defender, Laws made over 100 appearances for each of Burnley, Middlesbrough, and Nottingham Forest. In 1994, Laws became player-manager of ...
. He immediately managed to agree a deal to stay at
Burnley
Burnley () is a town and the administrative centre of the wider Borough of Burnley in Lancashire, England, with a 2021 population of 78,266. It is north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River B ...
until the end of the season. However, he only started one game, the 0–0 draw with
Luton Town
Luton Town Football Club is a professional association football, football club from Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The club currently competes in EFL League One, the third level of the English football league system. Nicknamed "The Hatters", L ...
, before returning to Sheffield Wednesday, where he was told by manager Brian Laws that he had no future at the club, and made available for transfer.
Rotherham United
On 4 July 2007, Coughlan was released by Sheffield Wednesday after being deemed surplus to requirements. Coughlan then signed for
Rotherham United
Rotherham United Football Club, nicknamed The Millers, is a professional association football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The team plays in EFL League One, the third tier of English football, after suffering relegation fr ...
on 13 July . He made his debut on 11 August in a 0–0 draw with
Hereford United
Hereford United Football Club was an association football club based in Hereford, England. They played at Edgar Street for their entire history. They were nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites', after their predominantly white kit, or 'Th ...
, and was almost ever-present throughout the
2007–08 season. He scored his only goal for Rotherham in a 1–1 draw with
Brentford
Brentford is a suburban town in West (London sub region), West London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It lies at the confluence of the River Brent and the River Thames, Thames, west of Charing Cross.
Its economy has dive ...
.
Shrewsbury Town
On 30 July 2008, Coughlan signed a two-year contract with Shrewsbury for an undisclosed fee. He scored a goal on his debut, in the 4–0 win over
Macclesfield Town on 9 August. In his two years at the club won the captaincy and performed some coaching duties, such as being in charge of Shrewsbury's reserve side which beat
Sheffield United
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The club competes in the Championship, the second tier of English football. They are nicknamed "the Blades" due to Sheffield's history ...
5–0. He was released from his contract on 14 May 2010.
Southend United
On 6 August 2010, Coughlan signed a one-year deal with Southend United, he will also take on the role of reserve team manager. Coughlan made his debut on 10 August 2010 against
Bristol City
Bristol City Football Club is a professional football club based in Bristol, England. The team compete in the , the second level of the English football league system.
Founded in 1894, the club competed in the Southern League and Western L ...
in the League Cup, and his league debut against
Port Vale on 21 August 2010. On 13 June 2011, Coughlan signed a two-year contract extension as player/assistant manager. Coughlan's playing contract was due to expire on 30 June 2013. On 20 June 2013, Coughlan signed a new deal to take up the role of first team coach, thus bringing the end to his player career.
Coaching and managerial career
Bristol Rovers
In 2018, Coughlan joined
Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers FC is a men's professional football club in Bristol. The team competes in , the fourth tier of the English football league system. The club is affiliated to Bristol Rovers W.F.C., whose team play in the FA Women's National Leag ...
as a defensive coach. In December 2018, he was appointed caretaker manager following the departure of
Darrell Clarke
Darrell James Clarke (born 16 December 1977) is an English professional Manager (association football), football manager and former Football player, player who played in the English Football League. He is the head coach of club Bristol Rovers ...
and
Marcus Stewart. In January 2019, he was appointed on a permanent basis after picking up ten points from a possible fifteen over the course of his caretaker spell. At the time of his appointment, Rovers were sitting 19th in the league, only sitting above the relegation zone on goal difference. With the signing of
Jonson Clarke-Harris, Rovers saw an upturn of their fortunes and secured their League One status in the penultimate match after a 0–0 draw at
Fleetwood Town.
Having been involved in a relegation battle the previous season, Coughlan's upturn of fortunes at the club continued into the start of the
2019–20 season. A 1–0 win over
Milton Keynes Dons in October saw his side rise into the play-off positions for the first time in the season. His side returned to these play-off positions in December when they produced a comeback victory to defeat Coughlan's former side Southend United 4–2. With his side 2–0 down at halftime, Coughlan threatened to cancel the players' Christmas party before their spectacular comeback. Rovers climbed to fourth the following Saturday when they won 2–1 away at
Ipswich Town, a result overshadowed by the post-match speculation regarding Coughlan's position as manager with rumours he was looking to leave the club. These rumours were proved to be true when, two days later, Rovers issued a statement to confirm that the club had allowed Coughlan to speak to
Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. The team competes in , the third level of the English football league system.
The club was formed in 1897 as Mans ...
after two previous approaches that had been rejected.
Mansfield Town
On 17 December 2019, Coughlan decided to accept an offer to become new manager of League Two Mansfield Town. It was reported that it was family reasons that he left, his family being based in South Yorkshire.
On 28 October 2020, Mansfield Town confirmed they had parted ways with Coughlan, after a poor start to the season.
Sheffield United U23
On 22 March 2021, Coughlan joined
Sheffield United U23 as a coach until the end of the season, along with
Darren Currie.
Newport County
On 20 October 2022, Coughlan was appointed manager of League Two club
Newport County on a two-and-a-half-year contract with Newport in 19th place in League Two after 14 league matches of the
2022–23 season. Newport finished the 2022–23 season in 15th position in League Two. Newport County reached the fourth round of the 2023–24 FA Cup, losing 4–2 to
Manchester United
Manchester United Football Club, commonly referred to as Man United (often stylised as Man Utd) or simply United, is a professional association football, football club based in Old Trafford (area), Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, Engl ...
of the
Premier League
The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
. Newport finished the 2023-24 season in 18th place in League Two.
On 20 June 2024, Coughlan departed the club by mutual consent.
Boston United
On 19 November 2024, Coughlan was appointed manager of
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
side
Boston United
Boston United Football Club is a semi-professional association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. The club participates in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system.
The club is known as 'the ...
, the side sitting in 23rd position at the time of his appointment, seven points from safety. On 24 November 2024, he took charge of his first game, beating Braintree Town 3-1. He was named National League Manager of the Month for March 2025 following a run of twenty points from nine matches, leading ''the Pilgrims'' outside of the relegation zone having been twelve points from safety at the start of the month.
[ ] The club secured safety in their penultimate match of the season, an achievement that Coughlan himself labelled 'a miracle'.
In June 2025, fellow National League side
Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. The team competes in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system.
They were founded in 190 ...
had an approach for Coughlan rejected.
Career statistics
Managerial statistics
Honours
As a player
Livingston
*
Scottish Football League First Division
The Scottish Football League First Division was the second tier in the Scottish football league system between 1975 and 2013. It was replaced by the Scottish Championship.
History
The First Division was introduced in 1975–76 in Scottish footb ...
:
2000–01
Plymouth Argyle
*
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the third tier of the English football league system in 1920–21 Football League, 1920–21 and again from 1958–59 Football League, 1958 until 1991–92 Football League, 1992. When the FA Premier League ...
:
2001–02
*
Football League Second Division
The Football League Second Division was the second level division in the English football league system between 1892 and 1992. Following the foundation of the FA Premier League, the Football League divisions were renumbered and the third tier ...
:
2003–04
Individual
*
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year (often called the PFA Team of the Year, or simply the Team of the Year) is an annual award given to a set of 55 footballers across the top four tiers of men's Football in England, En ...
:
2001–02 Third Division,
2003–04 Second Division
*
Plymouth Argyle Player of the Year:
2001–02
*PFA Second Division Player of the Year: 2003–04
*
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is a professional association football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system.
Formed in 1867 as an off ...
Player of the Year:
2005–06
As a manager
Individual
*
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
Manager of the Month: March 2025
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coughlan, Graham
1974 births
Living people
Association footballers from Dublin (city)
Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Men's association football central defenders
Cherry Orchard F.C. players
Bray Wanderers F.C. players
Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
Swindon Town F.C. players
Livingston F.C. players
Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Burnley F.C. players
Rotherham United F.C. players
Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Southend United F.C. players
Leinster Senior League (association football) players
League of Ireland players
English Football League players
Scottish Football League players
Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers
Expatriate men's footballers in England
Irish expatriate sportspeople in England
Republic of Ireland association football managers
Bristol Rovers F.C. managers
Mansfield Town F.C. managers
Newport County A.F.C. managers
Boston United F.C. managers
English Football League managers
National League (English football) managers
Republic of Ireland expatriate association football managers
Expatriate football managers in England
Southend United F.C. non-playing staff
Bristol Rovers F.C. non-playing staff
Sheffield United F.C. non-playing staff