:John Toshack

John Toshack was born on 22 March 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, and grew up on Northumberland Street in the Canton area of the city.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/mission-control-2415313 |title=Mission: Control |work=WalesOnline |author=Rhodri Owen |date=13 November 2004 |access-date=27 January 2018}} His father George was from Dunfermline in Scotland and worked as a carpenter.{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/bluebird-legends-dad-dies-2440228 |title=Bluebird legend's dad dies |work=WalesOnline |date=8 April 2004 |access-date=26 January 2018}} He moved to Wales while serving in the RAF, being stationed at MOD St Athan, and met Toshack's mother Joan, whom he later married.

As a child, Toshack attended Radnor Road Primary School, where he first played football for ten minutes in a school trial match, and later Canton High School for Boys.{{cite web |url=http://thecardiffmuseum.co.uk/canton.html |title=Canton |publisher=National Museum Cardiff |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022112645/http://thecardiffmuseum.co.uk/canton.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=axsvDwAAQBAJ&q=john+toshack+father+scottish&pg=PT146 |title=Red Dragons – The Story of Welsh Football |author=Phil Stead |publisher=Y Lolfa |year=2013 |isbn=978-1784612368}}{{cite web| url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2007/10/13/ex-pupils-are-set-to-reunite-for-centenary-91466-19943693/| title=Ex-pupils are set to reunite for centenary| author=Moira Sharkey| work=South Wales Echo| date=13 October 2007| access-date=8 June 2012}} As a teenager, Toshack also played rugby and cricket and was regarded as a promising outside-half before a fractured shoulder suffered playing rugby led to him focusing on football. He left the school at the age of sixteen with O-levels in French and history.

While at school, Toshack was selected to represent Cardiff Boys, where he played alongside Terry Yorath. In 1963, Toshack scored in every match he played for the side and broke the team's scoring record with his 33rd goal in eleven matches as Cardiff defeated Swansea 2–0 in the Welsh schools divisional final.{{cite news |url=https://playupliverpool.com/1963/12/06/hot-shot-toshack-is-worth-a-cap/ |title=Hot Shot Toshack is Worth a "Cap" |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=6 December 1963 |access-date=27 January 2018}} He was later selected to represent the Wales under-15 side.

In 1965, he joined his hometown club Cardiff City, signing for them as a 16-year-old on a contract worth £12 a week with an £8 appearance bonus and a £4 win bonus.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-swansea-city-liverpool-9491078.amp |title=From Cardiff City and Swansea City to Liverpool FC and Real Madrid: The incredible John Toshack story in his own words |work=WalesOnline |author=Paul Abbandonato |date=19 June 2015 |access-date=27 January 2018}} In his early days at the club, he was in charge of cleaning the boots of John Charles. He became the youngest ever player to play in a senior match for the club when he came on as a substitute in place of Graham Coldrick to make a goalscoring debut during a 3–1 win over Leyton Orient on 13 November 1965 at the age of 16 years and 236 days,{{Cite book | title=The Definitive: Cardiff City F.C. | first=Richard | last=Shepherd | publisher=SoccerData Publications | year=2002 | pages=65–70 | location=Nottingham | isbn=1-899-46817-X}}{{Cite book | title = The Who's Who of Cardiff City | first = Dean | last = Hayes | publisher = Breedon Books | year = 2006 | pages=187–188 | location=Derby | isbn= 1-85983-462-0}} a record which stood for 41 years until it was broken by Aaron Ramsey in 2007.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/6607983.stm |title=Jones hails record breaker Ramsey |work=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2007 |access-date=3 May 2007}} His performance during his debut persuaded manager Jimmy Scoular to promote him to the starting line-up for the following match and Toshack found the net again, scoring a brace during a 4–3 victory over Middlesbrough. In his first season in professional football, he scored six goals during nine appearances in all competitions.

Establishing himself in the side over the next few years, Toshack rejected a £70,000 move to Fulham when he was 18 as he felt he was too inexperienced to play in the First Division and would learn more by playing under Cardiff manager Scoular.{{cite web |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1071 |title=Toshack the new record signing |publisher=LFC History |access-date=28 January 2018}} He scored his first career hat-trick in January 1968 in an 8–0 win over Ebbw Vale in the Welsh Cup, and went on to form one of the most prolific partnerships in the club's history alongside Brian Clark. In the 1968–69 season, he scored 31 goals in all competitions, including three goals in a two-legged Welsh Cup final against Swansea City, finishing as the club's top scorer and the highest goalscorer in the Second Division. He scored two further hat-tricks for Cardiff, in 1969 against Queens Park Rangers and in 1970 against Hull City.

In November 1970, several days after scoring his 100th goal in all competitions for Cardiff during a 2–1 victory over French side Nantes in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Toshack completed a transfer to Liverpool. The club had made several previous offers for Toshack that had been rejected however, the Cardiff City board stated that they had left the decision up to the player who chose to move clubs. Cardiff manager Scoular and board member George Edwards both opposed the transfer, but were unable to convince chairman Fred Dewey to block the move.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-files-extraordinary-boardroom-9290368 |title=The Cardiff City files: Extraordinary boardroom revelations uncovered for the first time |work=WalesOnline |author=Steve Tucker |date=19 May 2015 |access-date=27 January 2018}}

The deal was completed on 11 November 1970, Liverpool manager Bill Shankly paying £111,000 for the striker, a club record fee at the time.{{cite web |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/429 |title=John Toshack |publisher=LFC History |access-date=27 January 2018}} £100,000 went to Cardiff for the sale of the player while the Football League received £5,500 for the transfer and Toshack himself received the remaining £5,500. Liverpool had resurrected a potential deal for Toshack after an attempt to sign Huddersfield Town forward Frank Worthington collapsed after he failed a medical.{{cite news |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-legend-john-toshack-10442835 |title=Liverpool FC legend John Toshack: Fifty years in football |newspaper=Daily Post |author=David Prentice |date=13 November 2015 |access-date=27 January 2018}} He made his debut three days later on 14 November 1970 in a goalless league draw with Coventry City at Anfield.{{cite web |url=https://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/587 |title=Liverpool 0–0 Coventry City |publisher=lfchistory.net |access-date=25 February 2020}} His first goal came a week later on 21 November in a Merseyside derby at Anfield. With the game 0–0 at half-time, Everton scored two early goals just after the start of the second half before Steve Heighway scored from an acute angle for Liverpool. In the 76th minute, Toshack headed a goal from a Heighway cross that turned the game around; then Chris Lawler volleyed home, after Toshack had headed on an Alec Lindsay cross, for the 84th-minute winner.{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/you-remember-first-time-toshack-7890590 |title=Do you remember the first time? From Toshack to Torres, famous first goals for Liverpool FC |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |author=Joe Rimmer |date=6 October 2014 |access-date=18 February 2018}}

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| quote = Tosh was a wonderful player to play alongside. He aerial ability was fantastic and I always knew that he was going to win the high balls. From then on it was just a question of me reading which way the ball was going to go and from those situations we created many chances.

| source = Kevin Keegan commenting on his partnership with Toshack at Liverpool{{cite web |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1010 |title=Toshack and Keegan as Batman and Robin |publisher=LFC History |access-date=28 January 2018}}

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In his first season at Anfield, Toshack scored seven times in all competitions but his noted aerial ability proved to be a key asset in Liverpool's style of play as it helped the side reach the 1971 FA Cup Final, losing 2–1 to Arsenal.{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/john-toshack |title=John Toshack |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=28 January 2018}} The following year, Kevin Keegan joined Liverpool from Scunthorpe United and the pair struck up a successful partnership, which was often referred to as being telepathic,{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/football-legends-john-toshack-kevin-9539630 |title=Football legends John Toshack and Kevin Keegan are reunited in Cardiff... and bust a 1970s myth |work=WalesOnline |author=Tyler Mears |date=27 June 2015 |access-date=28 January 2018}} with Toshack winning balls in the air and Keegan finishing the knock downs.

After defeat in the 1971 FA Cup final and missing out on the league title by a single point in 1972, Toshack won his first major honour with Liverpool in 1973 despite missing 20 league matches due to injury.{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fifty-years-ago-today-liverpool-10439027 |title=Fifty years ago today, Liverpool legend John Toshack first came out to play |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |author=David Prentice |date=13 November 2015 |access-date=2 February 2018}} Don Revie's Leeds United visited Anfield on Easter Monday for a match involving two of the three 1972–73 Football League title challengers. Two minutes after the break Peter Cormack put Liverpool ahead before Keegan added a late second to seal the win. With Arsenal only drawing in their match against Southampton, Liverpool duly closed out the title with a final game 0–0 draw against Leicester City to claim their first major trophy since 1966.{{cite web|url=http://www2.liverpoolfc.tv/history/timeline/1970-1995/eighth-league-title-secured|title=Eighth league title secured|website=liverpoolfc.tv|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025131702/http://www2.liverpoolfc.tv/history/timeline/1970-1995/eighth-league-title-secured|archive-date=25 October 2017|url-status=dead}} Toshack also helped the side to win the 1972–73 UEFA Cup against German team Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 1973 UEFA Cup Final first leg at Anfield was abandoned due to a torrential downpour after 27 minutes and rescheduled to be played again the next day. The 27 minutes that had been played had given Liverpool manager Bill Shankly an insight into Borussia Mönchengladbach's defensive vulnerability in the air. To exploit this, he brought tall forward Toshack into the starting team demoting the small build of Brian Hall to appearing only as a late substitute.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/brian-hall|title=Brian Hall profile|publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=3 February 2018}} Keegan profited with two goals set up by Toshack headers in a 3–0 win. Liverpool lost 2–0 away in the second leg but won the tie 3–2 on aggregate.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1972/overview/|title=Reds reach European goal|access-date=10 August 2014|publisher=UEFA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820061025/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season%3D1972/overview/|archive-date=20 August 2014}}

Toshack also played in the 1974 FA Cup Final when Liverpool defeated Newcastle United 3–0, having scored winning goals in the quarter and semi-final matches against Bristol City and Leicester City. However, he found himself out of the first-team at the start of the following season after the club signed Ray Kennedy from Arsenal. Frustrated with the situation, Toshack looked to move and the club accepted a £160,000 bid from Leicester City in November 1974. Although he stated of his desire to remain with Liverpool, he was reluctant to be only playing reserve matches.{{cite web |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3526 |title=I just had to move |publisher=LFC History |access-date=2 February 2018}} However, the deal later collapsed after he failed a medical and, at the age of 25, Toshack was told by specialist doctors that he only had around twelve months left to play due to mounting injuries.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/spain/the-big-interview-john-toshack-5tmst5fr6xw |title=The Big Interview: John Toshack |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Times |author=Ian Hawkey |date=7 March 2004 |access-date=4 February 2018}} He was able to force his way back into the first-team soon after, but his training time was restricted in an effort to prolong his playing career.

He won a further league and UEFA Cup double in 1976 and enjoyed his most prolific season with Liverpool, scoring 23 goals in all competitions. He ended his medal haul with a further league title in 1977 but increasing injury concerns limited his appearances and a proposed £60,000 transfer to Belgian side Anderlecht broke down after a medical discovered calcification in some muscle tissue. Toshack eventually negotiated his release from his contract at Liverpool in order to move into management. During his time with Liverpool, Toshack scored 96 goals in 247 appearances in all competitions. He was voted in at No.34 on the Liverpool website poll 100 Players Who Shook The Kop, in which thousands of fans worldwide voted for their top 100 Liverpool players.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FvFaBAAAQBAJ&q=100+players+who+shook+the+kop+toshack&pg=PT171 |title=Luis Suarez – The Biography of the World's Most Controversial Footballer |author=Frank Worrall |publisher=John Blake Publishing |year=2014 |isbn=978-1784180195}}

Toshack played for Wales at schoolboy and under-23 level before making his senior debut on 26 March 1969 in a 1–1 draw with West Germany.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-germany-v-wales-26-march-1969-230564/ |title=West Germany v Wales, 26 March 1969 |work=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=6 February 2018}} He scored his first senior goal in his following match, a 2–1 defeat to East Germany a month later.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/east-germany-v-wales-16-april-1969-230575/ |title=East Germany v Wales, 16 April 1969 |work=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=6 February 2018}} He was part of the Welsh side that topped their qualifying group for UEFA Euro 1976, scoring three times during qualifying, before losing a two-legged play-off match against Yugoslavia.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/astonishing-story-forgotten-welsh-football-11361935 |title=The astonishing story of the forgotten Welsh football giants and the day Ninian Park erupted into violent chaos |work=WalesOnline |author=Paul Abbandonato |date=22 May 2016 |access-date=12 February 2018}}

He went on to earn 40 caps and scored 13 goals,{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wal-recintlp.html |title=Wales – record international players |publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. |author=Luis Fernando Passo Alpuin |access-date=16 February 2018}} including a hat trick against Scotland in the 1979 British Home Championship.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/aidan-smith-waiting-on-the-next-scotland-hat-trick-1-3732162 |title=Waiting on the next Scotland hat-trick |newspaper=The Scotsman |author=Aidan Smith |date=29 March 2015 |access-date=12 February 2018}}

Having secured his release from his contract at Liverpool, Toshack looked to move into management and approached his former club Cardiff City over a coaching position but was rejected by manager Jimmy Andrews who questioned his qualifications for the role. Toshack instead received a phone call from Swansea City chairman Malcolm Struel and was invited to a meeting at the club. Following this, he was appointed player-manager of Fourth Division club Swansea on 1 March 1978,{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-98245164.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523124928/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-98245164.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 May 2009 |title=Football: To Rivaldo Twenty-Five Remarkable Years in Management for John Toshack; John Toshack Has Another Reason to Celebrate St David's Day. Today Marks the 25th Anniversary of His First Match as Manager of Swansea City. Mario Risoli Takes Up the Story |newspaper=The Western Mail |author=Mario Risoli |date=1 March 2003 |access-date=3 February 2018 |via=HighBeam Research}} becoming the youngest manager in the Football League at the age of 29.{{cite web |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/122920.html |title=Swans fly to the sun and back |publisher=ESPN |author=John Brewin |date=24 November 2011 |access-date=3 February 2018}} Succeeding Harry Griffiths who stepped down to become his assistant, Toshack's appointment was seen as a significant coup for Swansea and the crowd for his first match in charge, a 3–3 draw with Watford, more than doubled from the club's previous home match with over 15,000 in attendance.{{cite web |url=https://www.swanseacity.com/club/history/our-managers |title=Our managers |publisher=Swansea City A.F.C. |access-date=3 February 2018}}

He overhauled numerous aspects of the club's day-to-day routine including changing players' diets, moderating their alcohol intake and revising travel arrangements for away matches. He was an immediate success at the Vetch Field, winning promotion from the Fourth Division in his first season in charge after finishing third. However, the club's celebrations were muted following the death of Griffiths from a heart attack prior to a match against Scunthorpe United in April 1978. Toshack praised Griffiths for his role in helping the club win promotion, stating: "Most of the hard work had been done [...], chiefly by Harry. Gaining promotion would be a memorial to him".

The following season, Toshack convinced several of his former Liverpool teammates, such as Ian Callaghan, Phil Boersma and Tommy Smith, to join the club. Smith and Callaghan had both received offers to stay with Liverpool, although with limited playing time, but approached Toshack over a move and would train at Liverpool's Melwood training ground before travelling to Swansea for matchdays. Toshack led the club to a second consecutive promotion in 1979, sealing their place in the Second Division with a 2–1 win over Chesterfield on the final day of the season with Toshack himself scoring the winning goal that confirmed promotion after bringing himself on as a substitute.{{cite web |url=https://www.swanseacity.com/news/snapshot-when-swans-debuted-match-day |title=Snapshot: When the Swans debuted on Match of the Day |publisher=Swansea Citycite A.F.C. |date=21 November 2017 |access-date=3 February 2018}}

After finishing mid-table in their first season in the Second Division, Swansea claimed a third promotion in four seasons in 1981 after beating Preston North End 3–1 on 2 May 1981 and won the Welsh Cup for the first time in fifteen years soon after by defeating Hereford United.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vRsvDwAAQBAJ&q=john+toshack+proud+to+be+a+swan&pg=PT85 |title=Proud to be a Swan – The History of Swansea City AFC |author=Geraint H Jenkins |publisher=Y Lolfa |year=2013 |isbn=978-1847716798}} After achieving promotion, Toshack's former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly heaped praise on his achievements, stating "he's done a remarkable job, I would say he's possibly manager of the century." Once they reached the top flight, Swansea were predicted by many to be relegated, but in their first match in the First Division they claimed a 5–1 victory over Leeds United after a hat-trick from newly arrived club-record signing Bob Latchford.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13839037 |title=When Swansea City flew in top flight |work=BBC Sport |author=Peter Shuttleworth |access-date=3 February 2018}} In recognition of his achievements at the club, Toshack was awarded an MBE midway through the season. Swansea topped the league at several stages of the season, leading the division with only three months remaining, but injuries to key-players Latchford and another former Liverpool teammate of Toshack's Ray Kennedy, saw a downturn in results and they won just one of their final six matches before finishing their first campaign in the top flight in sixth position. During this period, he was told by the Liverpool board that he was their choice to replace current manager Bob Paisley when he chose to retire. Toshack had openly coveted the position, stating: "When I went to Swansea the thing I wanted in the long term was to end up at Liverpool". However, Paisley remained longer than expected and the position eventually went to Joe Fagan. Swansea were relegated the following year as the club suffered financial difficulties after relatively big spending under Toshack's tenure and then suffered a second successive relegation. He resigned in October 1983 but returned eight weeks later, remaining with the club for a further three months before departing again in March 1984. The heavy spending during Toshack's years at Swansea were often cited as a key factor in the severe financial issues that affected the club, being issued with a winding up order due to unpaid debts in December 1985.

In 1984, Toshack was appointed manager of the Portuguese side Sporting CP, but he only lasted one season in the post, during which he led the team to second place in the league.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/nov/12/newsstory.sport12 |title=John Toshack factfile |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 November 2004 |access-date=4 February 2018}} He instead moved to Spain, taking a position as manager of Real Sociedad where he led the side to victory in the 1986–87 Copa del Rey and were the league runners-up in 1988.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/9-brits-who-managed-abroad-reids-bus-pushing-roys-tour-and-brilliant-sir-bobby |title=9 Brits who managed abroad: Reid's bus-pushing, Roy's tour and brilliant Sir Bobby |magazine=FourFourTwo |author=Tom Phillips |date=8 March 2016 |access-date=4 February 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thenational.ae/going-foreign-pays-off-for-real-sociedad-1.450650 |title=Going foreign pays off for Real Sociedad |work=The National |author=Andy Mitten |date=3 May 2011 |access-date=4 February 2018}}

Although their following season was disappointing, finishing the La Liga season in eleventh position, Toshack was appointed manager of Real Madrid in 1989. Madrid were reigning La Liga champions having won their fourth consecutive title the previous year and their squad was described by club president Ramón Mendoza as the "best Real Madrid side for the past 25 years".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/may/12/real-madrid-1989-90-107-goals |title=The Forgotten Story Of ... Real Madrid's 107-goal season |newspaper=The Guardian |author=Rob Smyth |date=12 May 2009 |access-date=4 February 2018}} Nevertheless, Toshack strengthened defensively by adding Oscar Ruggeri and Fernando Hierro to the club's ranks, but endured a difficult start after losing to rivals Barcelona and being eliminated from the European Cup in the second round; he was also under pressure from local press, despite leading the La Liga table after ten matches. However, the side soon discovered their form and they eventually claimed the league title after scoring a record 107 league goals during the season, becoming only the second team to score 100 or more goals during a single season at the time. A disappointing start to the following season and a three-match losing streak led to him being sacked by the club after eleven matches in November 1990 and he returned to Sociedad,{{cite web |url=http://www.faw.cymru/en/news/history-welsh-influence-real-madrid/ |title=A history of Welsh influence at Real Madrid |publisher=Football Association of Wales |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=4 February 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/25/newsstory.sport2 |title=Toshack on the road back to Real |newspaper=The Guardian |author=Paul Taylor |date=25 February 1999 |access-date=5 February 2018}} initially in an advisory role, before taking charge soon after.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-return-to-real-for-toshack-1073152.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-return-to-real-for-toshack-1073152.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Return to Real for Toshack |newspaper=The Independent |author=Guy Hodgson |date=25 February 1999 |access-date=5 February 2018}}

In Spain, Toshack became known as "John Benjamin"–nicknamed "JB"–as there was a common misunderstanding that his middle name was a Spanish-style paternal surname. He was noted for a habit of literally translating English-language idioms into Spanish during his press conferences, to the confusion of Spanish journalists.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jan/26/europeanfootball.sport1 |title=He's back: JB, mangler of metaphors |author=Sid Lowe|author-link=Sid Lowe|date=26 January 2004|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=16 April 2017}}

In 1994, Toshack was appointed as manager of the Wales national team on a part-time basis, taking the job alongside his position in charge of Sociedad, after approaches for Terry Venables and Bobby Robson were rejected.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-toshack-set-to-resign-as-manager-of-wales-after-47-days-real-sociedad-coach-deeply-hurt-by-1429520.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-toshack-set-to-resign-as-manager-of-wales-after-47-days-real-sociedad-coach-deeply-hurt-by-1429520.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Toshack set to resign as manager of Wales after 47 days: Real Sociedad coach deeply hurt by taunts in Cardiff – England centre-back breaks Cup-Winners' Cup deadlock at Highbury |newspaper=The Independent |author=Trevor Haylett |date=16 March 1994 |access-date=4 February 2018}} Although the ten scheduled competitive matches the team were due to play coincided with a break in Spanish league fixtures, he stated his intention that Sociedad would remain his first priority if any other international matches should clash with domestic ones.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wales-go-for-part-time-toshack-1410097.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wales-go-for-part-time-toshack-1410097.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Wales go for part-time Toshack |newspaper=The Independent |date=29 January 1994 |access-date=4 February 2018}} He was appointed to succeed Terry Yorath, who had narrowly missed out on qualification to the 1994 FIFA World Cup and had expressed his desire to remain in the role but was not offered a new contract by the Football Association of Wales (FAW). On 9 March 1994, Toshack took charge of his first game for Wales, a 3–1 defeat to Norway at Ninian Park in Cardiff.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/wales-v-norway-09-march-1994-244939/ |title=Wales v Norway, 09 March 1994 |work=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=4 February 2018}} Toshack had already come under scrutiny over his commitment to the role after arriving in Wales only two nights before the match and taking a single training session with the team beforehand. With support for Yorath still strong among Welsh fans over his dismissal by the FAW, a disappointing performance against Norway saw the team jeered off at both half and full-time and Toshack resigned from the role after just 47 days in charge.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4005591.stm |title=Time for Toshack to deliver |work=BBC Sport |author=Dewi Hughes |date=12 November 2004 |access-date=4 February 2018}} He later claimed that there was a political "war" surrounding the team following Yorath's acrimonious departure and he decided to "wash his hands" of the situation.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-toshacks-escape-from-dirty-war-welsh-game-thrown-into-confusion-1429754.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-toshacks-escape-from-dirty-war-welsh-game-thrown-into-confusion-1429754.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Toshack's escape from 'dirty war': Welsh game thrown into confusion |newspaper=The Independent |author=Trevor Haylett |date=17 March 1994 |access-date=5 February 2018}}

After leaving Sociedad, he spent two years in charge of Deportivo de La Coruña, resigning after the board signed two players without his knowledge,{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/toshacks-amazing-30-years-boss-2186515 |title=Toshack's amazing 30 years as boss |work=WalesOnline |author=Paul Abbandonato |date=1 March 2008 |access-date=10 February 2018}} before moving to Turkey to join Beşiktaş on the recommendation of Bobby Robson, finishing sixth in his first season in charge. Although Toshack led the club to victory in the Turkish Cup in 1998, he endured a difficult time at the club, as he clashed with the board on several occasions and had threatened to quit in October 1998.

In February 1999, he returned to Real Madrid following the sacking of Guus Hiddink. Madrid agreed to pay £372,671 compensation to Beşiktaş in order to secure the move. With the club in sixth position on his arrival, they eventually finished the season in fifth under Toshack. However, the start of the following season saw Madrid again struggle and, following a 3–2 defeat to Rayo Vallecano that left them in eighth position, Toshack publicly criticised his players, particularly Albano Bizzarri commenting that the goalkeeper conceded goals "that made me weep".{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/toshack-is-sacked-after-criticising-real-players-742983.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/toshack-is-sacked-after-criticising-real-players-742983.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Toshack is sacked after criticising Real players |newspaper=The Independent |author=Elizabeth Nash |date=18 November 1999 |access-date=5 February 2018}} Toshack claimed that his words were meant as a motivational tactic and refused club president Lorenzo Sanz's request that he withdraw his comments, saying "there's more chance of a pig flying over the Bernabeu". The Real Madrid board dismissed him soon after.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/nov/17/newsstory.sport3 |title=Toshack sacked by Real Madrid |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 November 1999 |access-date=5 February 2018}} Toshack would later take Madrid to court over his dismissal and was awarded over £700,000 in compensation.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/toshack-takes-over-at-st-etienne-turn-to-toshack-637592.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/toshack-takes-over-at-st-etienne-turn-to-toshack-637592.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Toshack takes over at St Etienne turn to Toshack |newspaper=The Independent |author=James Fryatt |date=6 October 2008 |access-date=8 February 2018}}

He later spent a short period with French side Saint-Étienne in 2000, leaving the club for third spell in charge of Real Sociedad. Despite pulling Saint-Étienne out of the relegation zone, the club's fortunes rapidly declined after his departure, becoming entangled in a forgery scandal which docked the club seven points to confirm its relegation at the end of the 2000–01 season.{{cite news |title=St Etienne punished in passport probe |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/1121010.stm |access-date=31 July 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2001 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523054434/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1121010.stm |url-status=live }} At Sociedad, Toshack reversed the club's declining fortunes and pulled it out of the relegation zone to finish in 13th place in his first season after having rewarded the captaincy to 20–year old Xabi Alonso, who became the club's star player under Toshack.{{cite web|last=Andrados |first=Juan Pedro |title=Primera División 2000/01 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=10 November 2001 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/span01.html |access-date=11 November 2016}} After amassing 27 points in 29 games the following season, he was sacked in March 2002.

He then had short spells with Italian team Catania from November 2002 to January 2003, in a calamitous season for the club in which it got relegated from the Serie B in a scandal known as "Caso Catania" before the decision was reversed in August 2003; this preceded another return to Spain with last–placed La Liga side Real Murcia in January 2004, failing to save the club from relegation.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11979/6366599/toshack-factfile |title=John Toshack factfile |publisher=Sky Sports |date=9 September 2010 |access-date=5 February 2018}}

In November 2004, Toshack was appointed as manager of the Wales national team for the second time after being named as the "unanimous" choice of the FAW. He was named in a three-man shortlist for the role alongside Frenchman Philippe Troussier and former Welsh international Dean Saunders.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=257350.html |title=Wales turn to Toshack |publisher=UEFA |author=Trevor Haylett |date=12 November 2004 |access-date=5 February 2018}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Toshack's appointment was unpopular with some senior players with Robbie Savage claiming he could face a player mutiny if appointed. In total, seven players announced their international retirement within months of Toshack's appointment, including Savage,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/mar/25/newsstory.sport2 |title=Toshack aims for a winning double |newspaper=The Guardian |author=Michael Walker |date=25 March 2005 |access-date=5 February 2018}} captain Gary Speed, who had been critical of Toshack's opinions previously,{{cite web |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-123143700.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002606/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-123143700.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 February 2018 |title=Football: Load of old Tosh; Captain Speed hits back at Toshack's criticism |newspaper=Daily Post |author=Mark Currie |date=21 October 2004 |access-date=5 February 2018 |via=HighBeam Research}} Mark Pembridge and Andy Melville.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/2316752/pembridge-quits-wales |title=Pembridge quits Wales |publisher=Sky Sports |author=Mark Buckingham |access-date=5 February 2018}} Former Wales manager Mark Hughes also questioned Toshack's suitability for the role, stating that UEFA coaching qualifications which Toshack did not possess should be considered a prerequisite for the job.{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124239282.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002640/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124239282.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 February 2018 |title=Football: Sparks fly; Hughes takes a dig at unqualified Toshack |newspaper=Daily Post |author1=Jonathan McEvoy |author2=Mark Currie |date=6 November 2004 |access-date=5 February 2018 |via=HighBeam Research}}

One of his first acts as manager was to place Brian Flynn in charge of Wales' various youth levels, replacing Ian Rush and Neville Southall,{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/john-toshack-interview-verdict-cardiff-14000143 |title=The John Toshack interview: My verdict on Cardiff City, Swansea City A.F.C., Wales and why Gareth Bale must change |work=WalesOnline |author=Paul Abbandonato |date=6 December 2017 |access-date=5 February 2018}} and the pair set about rebuilding an ageing squad and uncovering players with the eligibility to play for Wales, such as Ashley Williams.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33361556 |title=Brian Flynn found talents for Wales Euro 2016 push, says Toshack |work=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2015 |access-date=5 February 2018}} His first match in charge was a friendly against Hungary on 9 February 2005 which ended in a 2–0 win for Wales, both goals being scored by Craig Bellamy.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4241751.stm |title=Wales 2–0 Hungary |work=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2005 |access-date=5 February 2018}} His first competitive match in charge came one month later when they suffered a 2–0 defeat to Austria, where Toshack was blamed for making a late substitution with the match at 0–0 that allowed Austria into contention and conceded two late goals.{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-130923346.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190157/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-130923346.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 February 2018 |title=Football: New Coach Toshack Is Target in Blame Game; Wales. 0 Austria. 2 |newspaper=Daily Post |author=Paul Walker |date=28 March 2005 |access-date=5 February 2018}} A second defeat to Austria four days later ended Wales' slim remaining hopes of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

In his first full qualifying campaign, Toshack's squad was plagued by withdrawals, so much so that he chose to issue a letter to 36 Welsh players for them to show "total commitment to the cause".{{cite news |url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4624077.Toshack_issues__call_to_arms_/?ref=arc |title=Toshack issues 'call to arms' |newspaper=South Wales Argus |date=2 February 2006 |access-date=5 February 2018}} With the noted retirements and regular withdrawals, Toshack was forced to use a relatively youthful side for a difficult qualifying campaign in which Wales finished fifth out of seven teams and failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008. A defeat to Poland in February 2009 caused anger among supporters as captain Craig Bellamy clashed verbally with fans and a further defeat to Finland a month later saw the side jeered off the pitch at full-time. In October 2009, Wales were unable to fill a squad for a friendly match against Finland following four retirements in the months prior to the match. One of the players, Paul Parry, cited being made to feel like a "spare part" as the reason for his decision to make himself unavailable for selection.

Despite mounting pressure to resign, Toshack remained in charge for the start of the next qualifying campaign. However, on 5 September 2010, he offered his resignation from the Wales job following a 1–0 away defeat to Montenegro in their first Euro 2012 qualifying match.{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/09/05/john-toshack-to-quit-as-wales-boss-91466-27207059/ |title=John Toshack to quit as Wales boss |work=WalesOnline |author=Paul Abbandonato |date=5 September 2010 |access-date=5 February 2018}} He left the job by mutual consent on 9 September 2010,{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/8970745.stm | title = John Toshack departs as Wales boss | access-date=9 September 2010| date =9 September 2010| work = BBC Sport}} although he had stated his desire to remain in the job for the two following qualifying matches.{{cite news |url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/198595/John-Toshack-shown-door-by-Wales |title=John Toshack shown door by Wales |newspaper=Daily Express |author=John Wragg |date=10 September 2010 |access-date=5 February 2018}} During his six-year tenure with Wales, a total of 18 players retired from international duty but he also handed debuts to numerous players, including many of the side that would go on to reach the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-toshacks-wales-verdict-brian-9486778 |title=John Toshack's Wales verdict: Me and Brian Flynn brought these players in, but Chris Coleman is entitled to the glory |work=WalesOnline |author=Delme Parfitt |date=19 June 2015 |access-date=5 February 2018}}

File:John Toshack 2011.jpg

Eleven months after resigning from his role with Wales, Toshack was appointed manager of the Macedonia national football team on 7 August 2011.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14437294.stm|title=John Toshack named FYR Macedonia manager|work=BBC Sport|date=7 August 2011|access-date=7 August 2011}} However, Macedonia won one of his eight matches in charge and his contract with the national side was terminated on 13 August 2012 after he refused the request of Football Federation of Macedonia president Ilčo Gjorgioski to relocate to the country.{{cite news|url=http://ffm.com.mk/reprezentacijaatim/toshak-zaminuva-od-selektorskoto-mesto-3141|title=Toshack leaves Macedonia|work=Macedonian FA|date=13 August 2012|access-date=13 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221013644/http://ffm.com.mk/reprezentacijaatim/toshak-zaminuva-od-selektorskoto-mesto-3141|archive-date=21 February 2013}}

On 8 March 2013, it was announced that Toshack would take over as manager of Khazar Lankaran of the Azerbaijan Premier League on 15 March 2013.{{cite web|title=John Benjamin Tosak – "Khazar Lankaran" new head coach|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=az&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Flankaranfc.com%2Faz%2Fdefault|publisher=lankaranfc.com|access-date=8 March 2013}} At the time of his appointment, Khazar Lankaran were eighth in the league and competing in the relegation group for the final 10 games of the season. Toshack's first game in charge of Khazar Lankaran was a one all home draw against AZAL.{{cite web|title=Khazar Lankaran vs. AZAL 1 – 1|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/30/azerbaijan/premyer-liqa/khazar-lankaran-fk/olimpik-baki/1457620/?ICID=PL_MS_03|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=16 April 2013}} Toshack's first win came in his second game in charge, a 1–2 away victory against bottom of the table Kəpəz.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/04/06/azerbaijan/premyer-liqa/fk-ganja/khazar-lankaran-fk/1457625/?ICID=PL_MS_01|title=Kapaz vs. Khazar Lankaran 1 – 2|publisher=Soccerway |access-date=5 May 2018}} Khazar Lankaran ended the season in eighth position, with a league record under Toshack of three games out of nine won, with an equal number of three matches drawn or lost. Toshack also guided Khazar Lankaran to the final of the 2012–13 Azerbaijan Cup with a 2–1 aggregate victory over Baku in the semi-finals, resulting in a game against Premier League champions Neftchi Baku which Khazar lost 5–3 on penalties.{{cite web|title=Neftçi vs. Khazar Lankaran 0 – 0|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/05/28/azerbaijan/cup/fk-neftchi/khazar-lankaran-fk/1459125/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=4 July 2013}} As a result of Neftchi Baku winning both the Premier League and Cup, Khazar qualified for the UEFA Europa League. Toshack won his first trophy with Khazar Lankaran on 23 October 2013, defeating Neftchi Baku in the 2013 Azerbaijan Supercup.{{cite web|title=Khazar Lankaran 2–1 Neftchi Baku|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/10/23/azerbaijan/super-cup/khazar-lankaran-fk/fk-neftchi/1597374/?ICID=HP_MS_14_01|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=23 October 2013}}{{cite web|title=Xäzär win revived Azerbaijan Super Cup|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=aze/news/newsid=2014166.html?rss=2014166+X%C3%A4z%C3%A4r+win+revived+Azerbaijan+Super+Cup|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104181741/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=aze/news/newsid=2014166.html?rss=2014166+X%C3%A4z%C3%A4r+win+revived+Azerbaijan+Super+Cup|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2013|publisher=UEFA|author=Dominic Aquilina |date=23 October 2013 | access-date=23 October 2013}} On 22 November 2013, Toshack resigned as manager of Khazar Lankaran, following 14 points in the first 14 games of the season, leaving Khazar in eighth place in the league.{{cite web|title=Con Toşak istefa verdi |url=http://lankaranfc.com/az/2009-09-01_105/actual-news/con-toshak-istefa-verdi.html |publisher=Lankaran FC |access-date=25 November 2013 |language=az |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126081515/http://lankaranfc.com/az/2009-09-01_105/actual-news/con-toshak-istefa-verdi.html |archive-date=26 November 2013 }}

On 20 June 2014, Toshack was appointed as manager of Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca.{{cite web|script-title=ar:رسميا: توشاك مدربا للوداد الرياضي|url=http://www.wydadclub.com/index.php/5/592-touchak-coach1|website=wydadclub.com|publisher=Wydad Casablanca|access-date=24 July 2014|language=ar|archive-date=29 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729004416/http://www.wydadclub.com/index.php/5/592-touchak-coach1|url-status=dead}} He led the club to a league title in his first season in charge and a second-place finish the following year,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37350352 |title=John Toshack: Wydad Casablanca boss enjoys new lease of life in Africa |work=BBC Sport |author=Steve Tucker |date=14 September 2016 |access-date=6 February 2018}} but on 16 September 2016, after suffering a heavy defeat to Zamalek in the first leg of the 2016 CAF Champions League semi-finals, Toshack and Wydad Casablanca parted ways.{{cite web|title=بلاغ رسمي الوداد ينفصل عن المدرب جون|url=http://www.wac.ma/Portail/ar/actualites/%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%BA-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%83|website=wac.ma|publisher=Wydad Casablanca|access-date=17 September 2016|language=ar|date=16 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917161055/http://www.wac.ma/Portail/ar/actualites/%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%BA-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%83|archive-date=17 September 2016|url-status=dead}}

In June 2018, he was appointed manager of Iranian side Tractor until 2021.{{Cite web | title = جان توشاک ولزی سرمربی تراکتورسازی شد | work = tractor-club.com | access-date = 8 June 2018 | url = http://tractor-club.com/news/n-4563/جان-توشاک-ولزی-سرمربی-تراکتورسازی-شد | language = ar}} He left the club in September 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1554717/اطلاعیه-باشگاه-تراکتورسازی-درباره-جدایی-توشاک |title=اطلاعیه باشگاه تراکتورسازی درباره جدایی توشاک |website=varzesh3.com |language=fa |access-date=20 September 2018}}

On 7 June 1969, Toshack married Susan Bann from Grangetown, Cardiff, at the age of 20 at St John Church in Canton.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/john-toshacks-43-year-marriage-ends-2029231 |title=John Toshack's 43-year marriage ends in divorce after "unreasonable behaviour" |work=WalesOnline |author=Julia McWatt |date=17 June 2012 |access-date=6 February 2018}} After 43 years of marriage, the pair divorced in 2012 with his wife citing "unreasonable behaviour". Toshack's son Cameron is also a former professional footballer, having made five appearances for Cardiff City, and with Swansea City for the 1989–90 season.

In 1976, while playing for Liverpool, Toshack composed and published a book of poems entitled Gosh, it's Tosh.{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/anfield-poetry-load-tosh-3519598 |title=When Anfield poetry was a load of Tosh |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=7 April 2006 |access-date=8 February 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4003249.stm |title=Gosh, it's Tosh, manager and poet |work=BBC News|author=Tom Bourton |date=12 November 2004 |access-date=8 February 2018}}

In 1981, Toshack won the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year and received the MBE for his services to football in the 1982 New Year Honours list.{{cite news |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/48837/page/17 |title=Honours |newspaper=The London Gazette |issue=48837 |date=30 December 1981 |page=17 |access-date=13 February 2018 }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/2525091.stm

|work=BBC Sport|date=8 December 2008|title=BBC Wales Sport Personality winners|access-date=28 October 2009}} He was the subject of an episode of This Is Your Life in 1982 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Roehampton Club in London.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

On 27 February 2022, Toshack was reported to be seriously ill in a Spanish hospital, suffering from COVID-19.{{Cite news |title=John Toshack, estable dentro de su gravedad |trans-title=John Toshack, seriously ill but stable |last=LASA |first=GAIZKA |newspaper=El Diario Vasco |location=San Sebastián, Spain |date=27 February 2022 |url= https://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/john-toshack-ingresado-covid-20220227171730-nt.html |language=es}}{{Cite news |title=Toshack in hospital with Covid-19 |author= |website=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2022 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60545590}}

{{notelist}}

Cardiff City

• Welsh Cup: 1967–68, 1968–69

Liverpool

• Football League First Division: 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77
• FA Cup: 1973–74; runner-up: 1970–71{{cite book |first1=Leslie |first2=Jack |last1=Vernon |last2=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78 |year=1977 |publisher=Brickfield Publications Ltd |location=London |isbn=0354-09018-6 |page=491}}
• FA Charity Shield: 1976
• European Cup: 1976–77
• UEFA Cup: 1972–73, 1975–76
• UEFA Super Cup: 1977

Swansea City{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/swansea-city/tab/honours/ |title=Swansea City football club honours |work=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=18 February 2018}}

• Football League Fourth Division third-place promotion: 1977–78
• Football League Third Division third-place promotion: 1978–79
• Football League Second Division third-place promotion: 1980–81
• Welsh Cup: 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83

Real Sociedad

• Copa del Rey: 1986–87

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 1989–90

Deportivo{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spansupcuphist.html |title=Spain – List of Super Cup Finals |publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. |author1=Jose Vicente Tejedor Carnicero |author2=Raul Torre |author3=Carles Lozano Ferrer |access-date=13 February 2018}}

• Supercopa de España: 1995

Beşiktaş

• Turkish Cup: 1997–98
• Turkish Super Cup: 1998{{cite news

|url=https://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageID=29&macId=40304

|title=CumhurBaşkanlığı Kupası (Profesyonel Takım) (Final)

|publisher=tff.org

|access-date=9 March 2022}}

Khazar Lankaran

• Azerbaijan Supercup: 2013

Wydad Athletic Club

• Botola: 2014–15

• La Liga Coach of the Year – Don Balón Award: 1989, 1990{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html |title=Spain – Footballer of the Year |publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. |author=Emilio Pla Diaz |access-date=10 February 2018}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/john-toshack Profile] at the Liverpool F.C. website
• {{UEFA player}}

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{{1975–76 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}

{{English Second Division top scorers}}

{{BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year winners}}

{{La Liga winning managers}}

{{Copa del Rey winning managers}}

{{La Liga Coach of the Year}}

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{{Swansea City A.F.C. managers}}

{{Sporting Clube de Portugal managers}}

{{Real Sociedad managers}}

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{{Wales national football team managers}}

{{Deportivo de La Coruña managers}}

{{Beşiktaş JK managers}}

{{AS Saint-Étienne managers}}

{{Real Murcia managers}}

{{Macedonia national football team managers}}

{{FK Khazar Lankaran managers}}

{{Wydad Casablanca managers}}

{{Tractor Sazi F.C. managers}}

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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Toshack, John}}

Category:1949 births

Category:AS Saint-Étienne managers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Men's association football player-managers

Category:Beşiktaş J.K. managers

Category:Botola managers

Category:Cardiff City F.C. players

Category:Catania FC managers

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Category:Expatriate football managers in Azerbaijan

Category:Expatriate football managers in France

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Category:Expatriate football managers in Italy

Category:Expatriate football managers in Morocco

Category:Expatriate football managers in North Macedonia

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Category:Footballers from Cardiff

Category:Khazar Lankaran FK managers

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Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire

Category:North Macedonia national football team managers

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Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players

Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players

Category:Wales men's international footballers

Category:Wales national football team managers

Category:Wales men's under-23 international footballers

Category:Welsh expatriate football managers

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Azerbaijan

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in France

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Iran

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Morocco

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in North Macedonia

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Portugal

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Spain

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Turkey

Category:Welsh football managers

Category:Welsh men's footballers

Category:Welsh people of Scottish descent

Category:Wydad AC managers

Category:English Football League players