Many happy returns? The managers who went back

Alex McLeish has been installed as Scotland head coach for a second time.

The former Rangers, Birmingham and Aston Villa boss, who succeeds Gordon Strachan, oversaw 10 games in charge of the national team during his first spell in 2007.

Here, we looks at how other high-profile homecomings have fared:

Jose Mourinho

The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ was a revelation in his first three years at Stamford Bridge, delivering two Premier League titles and three domestic cups. Having continued collecting silverware at Inter Milan and Real Madrid he returned in 2013 and, despite adding a league and cup double in his second season, was sacked again after a calamitous start to the following campaign.

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Kenny Dalglish

Fan favourite Dalglish began as a player-manager and during his first spell in charge led Liverpool to three league titles and two FA Cups while admirably guiding the club through the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster. Twenty years after leaving he was back on a caretaker basis, eventually earning a new three-year deal. He fulfilled only one of those before the axe fell, winning the League Cup but settling for eighth in the table.

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Sir Matt Busby

Following an immensely successful period as manager of Manchester United from 1945 to 1969, Busby returned just 18 months later after his replacement Wilf McGuiness left the role. Busby managed to steady a sinking ship, led United to eighth in the league and later served as director and president.

Kevin Keegan

Keegan’s instinctive, emotional management was central to Newcastle’s rise to the Premier League and their entertaining pursuit of the 1995/96 title. Keegan’s return to the St James’ Park post in January 2008 proved far less enjoyable for both parties. He fell out with chairman Mike Ashley over transfer policy and left the club after eight months.

Steve McClaren

McClaren found the England job too tall an order but flourished afterwards with Dutch side FC Twente, leading them to the Eredivisie title in his second year. Disappointing stints at Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest saw the Yorkshireman back in Enschede but this time he managed barely a year before resigning without further honours.

Howard Kendall

Popular at Everton from his playing days, Kendall’s stock rose further during a six-year spell in charge of the Merseyside club. Kendall’s team landed two First Division titles, one FA Cup and a European Cup Winners’ Cup before leaving in 1987. He attempted to rekindle the magic twice without success, a humdrum period between 1990-93 and a final spell in 1997/8 which ended with a late escape from relegation.