5 managers who controversially managed rival clubs

AFC Bournemouth v Bolton Wanderers - Sky Bet Championship
Redknapp spent a year with Southampton in between his 2 spells with rivals Portsmouth

#4. Alex McLeish (Birmingham and Aston Villa)

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace - npower Championship
An applauding Alex McLeish

Alex McLeish began his managerial career in Scotland where he had managed Motherwell, Hibernian and Rangers, winning multiple trophies. He earned the Scotland National Team job after impressing many suitors.

After the World Cup Qualification campaign draw, McLeish was approached by Birmingham City to take over the club. He failed to keep the Blues up in his first season at Birmingham City but the club returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

In 2009-10, he guided Birmingham to 9th in Premier League, their highest position in decades. The next season he won the League Cup with Birmingham but managed to get relegated the same season.

McLeish sent a resignation letter to Birmingham by email. A few days later rivals Aston Villa announced him as their new manager. Birmingham City protested the appointment saying that McLeish was still under contract and filed a complaint against Aston Villa.

Villa fans were dissatisfied with the appointment as well as many instances of anti-McLeish graffiti were found on the Villa training grounds. He was involved in a relegation scrap at Villa before being sacked in his second season.

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