Walter Smith Era
Two spells, 21 trophies: the manager who finished nine in a row and brought Rangers back to a European final.
Walter Smith (1948-2021) managed Rangers twice. He arrived in 1986 as Graeme Souness's assistant, took over when Souness left for Liverpool in April 1991, and in seven seasons won thirteen major trophies, including seven league titles in a row that completed the club's nine in a row. He returned in January 2007 and won eight more trophies before retiring in 2011, which makes him the second most successful manager in the club's history after Bill Struth.
Quick Facts
- First spell
- 1991-1998 (13 major trophies)
- Second spell
- January 2007-2011 (8 trophies)
- League titles
- 7 in succession (1990-91 to 1996-97), then 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
- European final
- 2008 UEFA Cup final, Manchester
- Successor
- Ally McCoist
Reader's Guide
Smith's first spell began as interim manager in April 1991 and was made permanent in May 1991 after Rangers clinched their fourth title in five seasons. Six more titles followed, including a domestic treble in 1992-93, plus three Scottish Cups and three League Cups. In 1992-93 Rangers went ten European games unbeaten and came close to the first Champions League final. The ninth consecutive title in 1996-97 equalled Celtic's record; the bid for a tenth failed in 1997-98 after about 13 million pounds was spent on eight players, and Smith left at the end of that season for Everton.
He came back on 10 January 2007 to replace Paul Le Guen, with Ally McCoist as his assistant. His first match was a 5-0 win over Dundee United. In 2007-08 Rangers reached the UEFA Cup final in Manchester, beating Sporting and Fiorentina (on penalties) on the way, and won the League Cup against Dundee United on penalties. The 52nd league title came on 24 May 2009, followed a week later by the Scottish Cup; the 53rd was clinched with a 1-0 win at Hibernian on 25 April 2010 alongside another League Cup; and in his final season, 2010-11, Rangers won the League Cup and a 54th title with a 5-1 win at Kilmarnock on the last day. McCoist succeeded him.
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