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David McLean (3 February 1884 – 14 February 1951)[1] was a Scottishfootballer andmanager. McLean played as aWinger.
McLean was born inBuckhaven, Fife. He played forBuckhaven United,Cambuslang Rangers,Celtic,Ayr United andCowdenbeath.[1] He first joinedEast Fife in 1911 as player-manager.
After joining East Fife as player manager he led them to victory in theScottish Qualifying Cup Final in 1920-21.[1] East Fife were admitted to theScottish Football League in 1921 and reached the1927 Scottish Cup Final.[1]
McLean was appointed manager ofBristol Rovers in 1929. He left after just over a year.
He and returned to East Fife in 1931.[1] McLean led them to victory overKilmarnock in the1938 Scottish Cup Final.[1]
Hearts appointed McLean manager on a five-year contract in June 1941.[1] He played a significant role in rebuilding the club during theSecond World War.[1]
The first seeds of theTommy Walker managerial success at Hearts were sown by McLean. On 9 October 1948, after a mediocre start to the1948–49 season McLean combined three young forwards,Jimmy Wardhaugh,Willie Bauld andAlfie Conn Sr., for the first time.[2] They became dubbed theTerrible Trio and scored over 900 Hearts goals between them[3] (Wardhaugh 376, Bauld 355, Conn 221).[4][5][6]
A few weeks later in December 1948, Tommy Walker left during his third season at Chelsea to return to Hearts. He took the role of player-assistant to McLean, whose intention was that Walker would be a steadying influence in a developing young team. However, after a single appearance at right-half in a 1–0 home defeat byDundee, Walker retired to concentrate fully on learning the managerial ropes.[7] Tangible progress was made in the League Championship in 1949-50 when Hearts finished third. As Walker had become more influential, McLean was co-opted to the board on 16 March 1950.[8][6][4]
McLean's death on 14 February 1951 saw Walker promoted to the position of manager; his reign was to prove the most successful period in the club's history.[9] Walker was always quick to acknowledge the contribution made by McLean and his fatherly interest in the welfare and development of the players. The important foundations Walker inherited from McLean included theTerrible Trio forwards, the full back pair ofBobby Parker andTam McKenzie and half backsBobby Dougan andDavie Laing.[6][4]