David Moyes’ appointment as the head coach of Spanish side Real Sociedad puts him in rare company, as one of a select bunch of British managers to test themselves abroad.
Moyes, who was dismissed just 10 months into a six-year contract with Manchester United, agreed an 18-month deal with the La Liga club and will follow in the footsteps of Steve McClaren, who moved abroad to rebuild a reputation damaged in the UK by poor results.
Among the list of successful exports to the continent and beyond include John Toshack, Terry Venables, current England boss Roy Hodgson and the late Bobby Robson, who was arguably Britain’s greatest managerial export.
Robson, who passed away in 2009, won back-to-back league titles with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven after leading England to the semi-finals at the 1990 World Cup.
He then went on to win the Portuguese league and cup double with Porto, before guiding Barcelona to the Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup in his only year in charge at the Nou Camp.
With that in mind, ahead of Moyes’ first game with the San Sebastian club, talkSPORT takes a look some of the British managers and coaches employed beyond these shores in recent years.
Steve McClaren
Following his ill-fated reign with England, which ended following the Three Lions’ failure to qualify for the 2008 European Championship, McClaren headed to Holland with FC Twente.
The Englishman rebuilt his reputation courtesy of a Dutch league title in 2010 and following brief spells at Wolfsburg in Germany and Nottingham Forest, McClaren returned to Twente before being appointed Derby head coach last year.
Derby reached the play-off final last season falling to QPR, but are back challenging at the top of the Championship this campaign.
Brian Deane
Former England international Deane, who scored the first ever goal in the Premier League in 1992, was confirmed as the manager of newly promoted Norwegian top-flight club, Sarpsborg 08 FF, in November 2012.
They finished third from bottom in Deane’s first season, avoiding relegation after beating Ranheim in the play-off.
Chris Coleman
The Wales manager moved abroad to take charge of Real Sociedad, following his dismissal at Fulham in 2007. With the club in fifth place and unbeaten in its previous 11 games, Coleman resigned seven months later citing differences with the club’s newly elected President Inaki Badiola.
After a spell with Coventry City, Coleman was appointed manager of Greek side Larissa in 2011, but he stepped down a few months later indicating financial troubles at the club led to his resignation.
During his time in Greece, Coleman lost only one game in 12, whereas the club slipped to nine defeats in the next 12 games after he left.
Bobby Williamson
Former Clydebank, Rangers, West Brom, Rotherham and Kilmarnock striker Williamson turned to management in 1996 and led Kilmarnock to the 1996/97 Scottish Cup.
Following spells with Hibernian, Plymouth and Chester, the Scot was appointed the coach of the Uganda national team, leading the team from 2008-2013. During this spell, Williamson led Uganda to the 2011 CECAFA Cup and almost qualified for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, losing on a penalty shootout in their qualifying play off tie against Zambia.
After being dismissed, Williamson moved to Kenyan Premier League side Gor Mahia guiding them to their first national league championship in 18 years and in August this year was appointed the manager of the Kenya national team.
Others
Steve Kean: Following an unsuccessful spell with Blackburn Rovers, Kean become the manager of Brunei side DPMM in 2013 and was appointed coach of the Brunei national team last month.
John Gregory: The current Crawley Town manager moved to Israel in 2009 and was appointed head coach at Maccabi Ahi Nazareth. Six months later the club were relegated and Gregory moved to fellow Israeli side FC Ashdod but resigned a year later with the club facing relegation. In June 2011, Gregory took charge at Kazakh club FC Kairat but his contract was terminated just six months later.
Tony Adams: Former Arsenal captain Adams was appointed manager of FC Gabala in Azerbaijan in May 2010 following a failed spell in charge of Portsmouth. In his only full season at the club, Gabala failed to finish in the top six and missed the league’s play-offs in the process.
Peter Taylor: England U21 boss between 1995-1999, Taylor also managed the full England national team for one game in November in 2000. The former Leicester boss was appointed as Bahrain manager in 2011 and guided the team to the Gold medal at the 2011 Arab Games but was sacked in October 2012.
Peter Reid: Having been out of management for four years, Reid became head coach of the Thailand National team in September 2008 but left 12 months later by mutual consent. The former Sunderland boss is currently in charge of the Indian Super League outfit Mumbai City.
Ray Wilkins: The former Fulham assistant boss was announced as the Jordan national team manager in September. In his first two games, he has recorded a win and a draw, both against Kuwait.