5 managers who returned to their former clubs (Part 2)

It's not too often that a manager rejoins club he has once worked for. However, these managers have done just that during their careers and succeeded.

For a manager to be brought back to his former club, he needs to have created a credible track record to be roped back into a club he once exited.

Coupled with the fact that the clubs let go off managers quite frequently in modern football, the number of managers who go back to manage a club they have worked with before could increase.

Here we take a look at a list of managers who have re-joined clubs they have once worked for.

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#5. Matt Busby (Manchester United 1945-1969, 1970-1971)

Former Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby began his managerial career after the war in 1945 and oversaw the club for the next 25 years. Busby won the league multiple times in addition to the cup competitions but his main aim was to win the European Cup.

In the early 50's, Busby formed a formidable team, well known as the Busby Babes and were contenders to win the competition on numerous occasions. The Scot survived the Munich air disaster and nursed himself back to health to guide the club back from the ashes to its glory days.

The multiple time league and cup winner went on to form another great team with the likes of Best, Law and Charlton driving United past Europe's best teams going to win more honours. In 1968 he reached the pinnacle of his career and achieved a life-long dream of winning the European Cup.

Busby gave up his managerial duties in 1969 to Wilf McGuinness. However, McGuinness was sacked soon after with Sir Matt Busby returning to take charge of the club on a temporary basis for the next season.

#4. Eddie Howe ( Bournemouth 2008-2010,2012- )

Howe was awarded Manager of the decade award

Bournemouth's current manager Eddie Howe began his coaching career as a youth coach in 2007 after he retired from football at the age of 28 after picking up a knee injury. Taking on the mantle as a youth coach for a year, Howe was promoted to manager in 2008 after the dismissal of Jimmy Quinn.

In his first season in charge, Howe led the club back into League One, earning promotion after finishing runners-up. The Englishman left the club the following season and joined Championship side Burnley on a three-year contract.

After two mid-table Championship finishes at Burnley in his two seasons at the club, Howe left citing personal reasons and re-joined Bournemouth in 2012.

The Englishman secured promotion to the Championship in his first season back at the club and then in two years guided Bournemouth to the top-flight of English football, by winning the Championship. Earning the club its first ever promotion to the Premier League, Howe and Bournemouth continue to fight to keep their place in England's elite footballing league.

#3. Kevin Keegan (Newcastle United 1992-1997, 2008)

Kevin Keegan

Kevin Keegan began his managerial career at Newcastle United in 1991 when the club was playing in The Second Division. The former English international replaced Ossie Ardiles at the helm and secured promotion in his very first year in charge.

In the 92-93 season, Keegan guided the club to another promotion, this time as champions of Division One, to the then newly introduced Premier League.

With Newcastle playing top-flight football and owner Sir John Hall helping Keegan bring in fresh talent, the club achieved its highest finish in over 70 years with a third-place finish.

High-flying Newcastle was branded 'The Entertainers' with their swashbuckling style of attacking football. The fiery Englishman challenged United for the title in 96 only to finish runners-up in what was a gripping title race. He announced his resignation in 1997 citing personal reasons.

After a short stint with Fulham, Keegan took over England for a year before moving to Manchester City for four years and implemented a brand of attacking football. Keegan then returned to Newcastle in 2008 and it remains the last club he has managed.

#2. Steve Bruce (Wigan Athletic 2001, 2007-2009)

Steve Bruce at Wigan

Steve Bruce was appointed the manager of Wigan Athletic in 2001 as he guided the club to the Second Divison playoffs where the team lost in the semi-finals. Bruce resigned soon after the loss and joined Championship Crystal Palace the same year although he resigned three months into the job.

The former Manchester United player took up the job at Birmingham and guided the club to a League Cup trophy as well Premier League promotion. After six years at the club, Bruce opted to part company with Birmingham and re-joined Wigan Athletic in the Premier League.

The Englishman enjoyed two seasons at the helm of the Latics with two mid-table finishes to his name. The former central defender turned manager has gone on to manage Sunderland, Hull and currently in charge of Aston Villa. One of the most experienced British managers, Bruce could be back in the top-flight in the near future.

#1. Ian Holloway (Queens Park Rangers 2001-2006, 2016)

Ian Holloway

Ian Holloway began his managerial career for Bristol Rovers in 1996 and almost guided the club to promotion from League One over the four years he was at the club. Holloway then joined QPR and oversaw a dreadful campaign where the club was relegated.

However, the Englishman stayed on as manager and re-built the squad and earned promotion back to the Championship and earned respectable mid-table finishes. Holloway was suspended and then sacked following allegations he had made contact with a move to Leicester City.

The Englishman then managed Plymouth Argyle before he joined Leicester for a season each. Blackpool then attracted wanted Englishman and he guided the club to Premier League promotion during his three-year reign. Another short PL stint with Palace and Championship side Millwall followed before Holloway took charge of QPR for the second time in 2016.

Currently managing QPR, Holloway's team sits in 12th on the table and will be pushing for a playoff spot.