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 Jordan, during his time withTottenham Hotspur | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph Jordan[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1951-12-15)15 December 1951 (age 73)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Cleland, Scotland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Blantyre Victoria | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1968–1970 | Morton | 6 | (1) |
| 1970–1978 | Leeds United | 170 | (35) |
| 1978–1981 | Manchester United | 109 | (37) |
| 1981–1983 | Milan | 52 | (12) |
| 1983–1984 | Hellas Verona | 12 | (1) |
| 1984–1987 | Southampton | 48 | (12) |
| 1987–1989 | Bristol City | 57 | (8) |
| Total | 456 | (106) | |
| International career | |||
| 1973–1982 | Scotland | 52 | (11) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1988–1990 | Bristol City | ||
| 1990–1993 | Heart of Midlothian | ||
| 1993–1994 | Stoke City | ||
| 1994–1997 | Bristol City | ||
| 2005 | Portsmouth (caretaker) | ||
| 2008 | Portsmouth (caretaker) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Joseph Jordan (born 15 December 1951) is a Scottish formerfootball player, manager and coach. Aforward, Jordan started his senior football career withGreenock Morton. WithLeeds United he won the1973–74 Football League First Division and was runner up in the1973 European Cup Winners' Cup final and the1975 European Cup final. WithManchester United he was runner up in the1979 FA Cup Final. He won the1982–83 Serie B title withMilan and was runner up in the1984 Coppa Italia Final withHellas Verona. He helpedSouthampton to their second highest league finish of fifth in1984–85, for what would have qualified for the1985–86 UEFA Cup (had English clubs not been banned following theHeysel stadium disaster). He then ended his playing career withBristol City where he also became player-manager.
Jordan gained 52 fullScotland caps scoring 11 goals. He is the only Scot to score in threeWorld Cups, (in1974,1978 and1982.) For his playing efforts for club and country, he was aScottish Football Hall of Fame 2005 inductee.
As well as at Bristol City (twice), he has managed or coachedHeart of Midlothian,Celtic,Stoke City,Northern Ireland,Portsmouth,Tottenham Hotspur,Queens Park Rangers,Middlesbrough and most recentlyAFC Bournemouth.[3]
In his first game for Leeds United reserves, he had two front teeth knocked out. That combined with his strong, fearless and committed play, created his fearsome 'Jaws' persona.
Jordan was born in the village ofCleland,Lanarkshire[4] (sometimes given as the nearby town ofCarluke[5]). After leaving school, Jordan became an apprenticedraughtsman. At age 15, Jordan had also begun playing for theScottish Junior Football Association club,Blantyre Victoria.
Jordan began his professional career in 1968 joiningMorton fromBlantyre Victoria for £250.[6][5] He initially played for Morton part-time.[4] His only Morton goal was in the 4–1 home league win versusPartick Thistle on 14 April 1970.[7] That win clinched Morton's place in the new 'British Cup' tournament, theTexaco Cup. Four days later he was involved in the build up forBobby Collins' goal, clinching a 2–0 win atRangers.[6]
39-year old Collins was Morton's player-coach. He had started his professional career playing for the club Jordan supported as a boy,Celtic.[4] Collins in 1962 joinedDon Revie'sLeeds United for five seasons. Revie later described Collins as 'the best signing I ever made'. As well as his Morton duties, Collins was now also Leeds' scout inScotland. Collins personally recommended Jordan to Revie. Revie watched Jordan in Morton's Texaco Cup game atWest Bromwich Albion. Morton won both legs versus West Brom (2–1 home and 1–0 away), for a 3–1 aggregate victory.[8] Jordan described Collins as his 'footballing godfather'. Jordan recalled the Rangers game in his book: "I got involved in the move that resulted in a goal for Collins, my hero and, as it turned out, the man who put in the word that carried me to where I wanted to be, at the top of the professional game."[6]
In total Jordan made 12 Morton league and cup appearances.[6]
Aged 18, Jordan signed for Revie at Leeds in November 1970 for £15,000 plus an extra £5,000 dependent on Jordan making Leeds' first-team.[6][5] There was little initial prospect of Jordan making the Leeds first-team, due to the well established, successfulAllan Clarke andMick Jones forward partnership.[5] In 1973, Jordan made 16 League starts and scored nine goals. However, he was left out of the team that lost theFA Cup final 1-0 toSunderland. He played in the1973 European Cup Winners' Cup final 1-0 defeat toMilan. Jordan scored seven goals in his 25 games in Leeds'1973-74 League winning team.
By 1974, Jordan was Leeds' maintarget man providing many knock-downs, especially forPeter Lorimer. With other Scottish players at Leeds, Jordan formed part of the so-called 'Scottish mafia', alongside goalkeeperDavid Harvey (1965–1980, 1982–1984), defenderGordon McQueen (1972–1978), midfielderBilly Bremner (1959–1976), left wingerEddie Gray (1965–1983) and right wingerPeter Lorimer (1963–1979, 1983–1986).[5]
In the1974-75 European Cup, Jordan scored in the home first-leg wins overFC Zürich (4-1 for 5-3 on aggregate) andAnderlecht (3-0 for 4-0 on aggregate). Leeds also eliminatedÚjpesti Dózsa (5-1 on aggregate) andFC Barcelona (3-2 on aggregate). Jordan and Leeds lost the1975 European Cup final 2–0 toBayern Munich.[9]
In Jordan's 135 Leeds league games he scored 39 goals.[5]
Aged 26, Jordan signed forDave Sexton[10] forManchester United on 4 January 1978 for £350,000.[11] Jordan reached the1979 FA Cup final, losing 3–2 toArsenal.[5] During a1980 FA Cup third round replay atOld Trafford, Jordan clashed with Tottenham Hotspur's goalkeeperMilija Aleksic, dislocating Aleksic's jaw.The Independent in 2011 described this as a revenge act for Aleksic having repeatedly been charging Jordan during corners.[12] It became known as the game that saw Tottenham'sGlenn Hoddle play in goal.[13]
In the four seasons Jordan played in at Old Trafford, they were runners-up in the1979-80 Football League First Division. They recovered from a poor start to the season to finish two points (two for a win) off top spot.[14] Winners wereLiverpool,[15] who for 15 years from the mid 1970s succeeded Leeds as England's team to beat.[16] Jordan top scored for United that season with 13 goals, all in the league. United's second place finish qualified them for the1980-81 UEFA Cup, as didBobby Robson'sIpswich Town who finished third. United were eliminated in the UEFA Cup first round byWidzew Łódź on away goals after drawing 1-1 at home and then 0-0 inPoland. Ipswich won the UEFA Cup that season.[9] Jordan top scored again that season, this time with 15 (all in the league).
Aged 29, in July 1981 Jordan transferred to AC Milan.[11] He played in the1981–82 Serie A season. He thus succeededDenis Law to be the second Scotsman to both play in and score in theItalian Football Championship, since its landmark1929-30 Serie A rebrand. Jordan scored two goals in his 22 Serie A games that season,[17] the first of which was the opener in a 7 November 1981, 1-1 home draw vComo.[18]
In the1981-82 Coppa Italia, Milan finished third in the five team group behind group winners,Internazionale, andHellas Verona. Jordan's header put Milan 2-1 ahead v Inter in the 49th minute.Walter Novellino had put Milan ahead beforeAlessandro Altobelli equalised.Giuseppe Bergomi though added a second Inter equaliser in the 89th minute for 2-2 final score.[19]
Milan won the 1981/82Mitropa Cup. Their opponents in the 4 team round-robin competition wereTJ Vítkovice,Haladás andNK Osijek.[20]
Milan went into the last game of the league season in 14th; the third of the relegation places in the 16 team division. To avoid relegation they needed to catchGenoa who were better off by both of two points (two points for a win), and a goal difference of four. After 63 minutes, Genoa were losing 2-1 atSSC Napoli. Milan though were losing 2-0 atAC Cesena. Jordan scored in the 67th minute to ignite a comeback to lead 3-2 after 81 minutes. Genoa though equalised in the 85th minute to draw 2-2. With no further goals in either of these 2 games, Milan were relegated.[18] In all domestic competitions Jordan joint top-scored for Milan that season with six goals withRoberto Antonelli.
In playing inSerie B 1982–83 season, Jordan became the first Scotsman to play inSerie B since its creation in the 1929 Italian football re-structure. He scored 10 goals in 30 Serie B games,[17] with Milan losing only 2 league games all season and never out of the top two places in the table from match week four onwards. They won promotion back to Serie A as Serie B champions (eight points ahead of 2nd placedLazio). He was again joint top scorer for Milan, this time with 14 goals (from his 36 league and cup appearances) along withAldo Serena. Penalties were not taken by an attacking player but by defender,Franco Baresi. Jordan's 30 Serie B appearances record for a Scotsman has since been surpassed byLiam Henderson in 2019. Henderson in 2023 equalled Jordan's record 10 career Serie B goals record by a Scotsman. Henderson's Serie B goals, though, were not in one season.[21]
In the1982-83 Coppa Italia six team group stage Milan lost only once in their five games, to twoPaolo RossiJuventus goals. Jordan scored for Milan in that away 2-1 defeat. Another of Jordan's Coppa goals was in the group stage home win versus Serie A club Genoa. 2-0 down to aMauro Tassotti own goal and aRené Vandereycken strike, Jordan's 43rd minute goal sparked a comeback. Serena added two for a 3-2 win. In the quarter-final, Milan played againstHellas Verona, riding high that season to a fourth place Serie A finish andUEFA Cup qualification. Milan drew the first leg 2-2 away to their opponents from the division above. In the 2nd leg in Milan, Jordan put his team 3-1 ahead in the 54th minute (Baresi had opened the scoring with a penalty). However, afterDomenico Penzo made it 3-3 in the 89th minute, Milan were eliminated 5-5 on away goals.[22][23]
Jordan played two seasons for Milan, scoring 12 goals in his 52 league games.[24] Jordan made 66 domestic league and cup Milan appearances, scoring 20 goals.[25]
On the eve of a return to the club in a Champions League game in 2011, as a coach with Tottenham, Jordan said the move to Milan, one of the biggest clubs in the world, was the best move of his career. He opined that it gave him experience he had always wanted, namely a chance to play abroad.[24] He has explained he retained strong links withMilan. One of his four children, Caroline, lives there with her children raised Italian.[26]
Aged 31, in 1983 Jordan transferred to fellow Serie A club,Hellas Verona. While Jordan had been in Serie B with Milan, Verona finished fourth in the1982–83 Serie A, earning aUEFA Cup berth. Jordan played three Verona1983-84 UEFA Cup games. He subbed on in the first round, first leg 1-0 home win vRed Star Belgrade as part of a 4-2 aggregate win. He thus became the first Scotsman to play for an Italian club inUEFA organised competition. In the second round, he played all 90 minutes of the 2-2 home draw and subbed on in the 0-0 away draw vSK Sturm Graz. Verona were thus eliminated on the away goals rule without having lost a game over 90 minutes in that season's UEFA Cup.[27]
Jordan played 24 league and cup Verona games.[28] His appearances were limited by a combination of his injuries and the good form ofMaurizio Iorio (21 goals) andGiuseppe Galderisi (13 goals) that season.[29] Jordan subbed on six times in his 12 Verona Serie A games.[28] His only Verona Serie A goal was in the 1-0 home win vUC Sampdoria on 8 April 1984.[30] Verona finished the1983–84 Serie A season sixth on equal points with Sampdoria and Jordan's ex-club, Milan.[31]
Jordan scored once in nine1983-84 Coppa Italia games, opening the scoring in the semi-final first leg 2-1 win atSSC Bari.[32] Jordan subbed on in both legs of the1984 Coppa Italia final, which they lost for the second season in a row, this time toAS Roma. After drawing the first leg 1-1 at home, they lost 1-0 in Rome. That defeat in Rome was Jordan's last Verona game.[33] He was the first Scotsman to play in a Coppa Italia final.
Despite his limited game time, Jordan's season with Verona is looked back upon as successful. Verona fans immediately loved Jordan, appreciating his passion and commitment on the pitch. They displayed a large Scottish flag in the Curva Sud because of him. He is credited with passing on valuable experience to Iorio, Galderisi and other young players at the club ahead of their campaign the next season. Replacing Jordan the season after withPreben Elkjaer up front, Verona were Italian football league champions for the first time in their history in1985 (including seasons before the 1929 re-brand to Serie A).[29] In August 2023, Jordan was asked by Verona to launch a new club kit. The club said: "Hellas Verona are proud to present the new third match shirt which the players will wear in the 2023/24 season, which sees an example of excellence wearing it forty years after his only season in gialloblù, the unforgettable Scottish champion Joe Jordan."[26]
Aged 32, in 1984 Jordan returned to England, signing forSouthampton managerLawrie McMenemy for £150,000.[34] In his first season there he shared 34 league and cup goals partneringSteve Moran up front.[35] Jordan played for Saints in that season's UEFA Cup, drawing 0–0 at home againstHamburger SV before elimination after an away leg 2–0 defeat to goals byManfred Kaltz andMark McGhee.[36] Southampton finished fifth in theFootball League First Division that season. Jordan was their league top scorer with 12 goals from his total league and cup tally of 16. Moran's 18 was higher when totalling league and cup strikes. This is Southampton'ssecond highest ever league finish (surpassed only by finishing second the season before). Fifth would have earned aUEFA Cup place. However, English clubs started a ban that season following theHeysel Stadium Disaster.[37]
In summer 1985, McMenemy left, replaced byChris Nicholl who Jordan "didn't know" and would "never get to know". Jordan then severely damaged his knee in a training ground collision with reservegoalkeeperPhil Kite. Cartilage and medial-ligament injury meant he was out of the first team until March. He then lost his place in the first team in summer 1986 when the club signedColin Clarke. Jordan scored for Saints in the1986-87 Football League Cup September 3–0 home win versusSwindon Town.[38] That was his only game in Southampton's run to that season's semi-final.[39]
Aged 35, in February 1987[34][35] Jordan free transferred toBristol City, where he finished his playing career.[5] He was also player-manager from 1988 to 1989. In 57 Bristol City appearances he scored eight goals, all of which were when City were in theFootball League Third Division.
On 19 May 1973, three days after appearing in the European Cup Winners Cup final for Leeds,Willie Ormond debuted Jordan for theScotland national team. Jordan subbed on in the 74th minute forLou Macari in a 1–0 defeat toEngland atWembley.[40]
On 26 September 1973, Jordan scored with a diving header for the winning goal in a 2–1 comeback win againstCzechoslovakia atHampden Park. That win clinched Scotlandqualification for the1974 FIFA World Cup inWest Germany.[41] That was Scotland's first World Cup qualification since1958, having failed in three attempts since '58.[5]
At the1974 World Cup, Jordan scored the second goal in Scotland's opening group game, 2–0 win overZaire. After the 0-0 draw versus Brazil, he equalised in the last minute to draw 1–1 versusYugoslavia.[42] Scotland finished the group unbeaten, but were eliminated at that stage ongoal difference.[42]
InAlly MacLeod managed Scotland's1978 FIFA World Cup qualification, Jordan scored a header again winning against Czechoslovakia at Hampden, this time 3-1.[43] Czechoslovakia were reigning European champions at the time.[44] Scotland wrapped up qualification inLiverpool. The Welsh FA in favour of higher gates receipts from theTartan Army, opted to playWales v Scotland atAnfield.[45] The match is remembered for, "an infamous penalty decision 12 minutes from time." Jordan and Welsh defenderDavid Jones challenged for the ball in the Welshpenalty area, from athrow-in by Scotland'sWillie Johnston. The referee judged hand ball against Jones for a Scotland penalty. TV replays showed that it was though, Jordan's hand that connected with the ball (and also that he kissed his hand once the penalty was awarded). This was the most dubious of three Scots penalty claims in the game.[44][46]Don Masson converted the penalty putting Scotland 1-0 ahead.[46] Scotland's 2–0 win secured qualification by winningUEFA Group 7.[42][44]
In Scotland's opening Argentina1978 World Cup game, Jordan opened the scoring versusPeru. Peru though won 3–1.[42] Scotland then drew 1-1 versusIran and won 3–2 versusNetherlands for Scotland's again group stage elimination.[42] Jordan assistedKenny Dalglish's 1-1 equaliser v Netherlands.[47]
Jordan scored in Scotland's1982 World Cup 2–2 draw versus theSoviet Union.[42] That meant Jordan scored in three successive World Cup Finals (the only Scot to do so). Subbed off injured in the same game, he never played for Scotland again. In total, Jordan earned 52 full Scotlandcaps, scoring 11 goals.[5]
Initially player-manager, Jordan was in charge at Bristol City from March 1988 to September 1990 for 134 games. In his first season, City finished fifth in the1987–88 Football League third division. That qualified City for the play-offs in which they lost a final replay toWalsall.[48]
In February 1989, City lost 2-1 on aggregate in the1988–89 Football League Cup semi-final to eventual winners,Nottingham Forest.[49] Among Jordan's signings wasBob Taylor from Leeds in March 1989. City bought Taylor for £250,000 plusCarl Shutt valued at £50,000. Taylor scored eight goals in the 12 City league games he played in that1988–89 Football League season.[50]
Taylor's 27 league goals made him the divisions leading scorer in the1989–90 Football League.[51] Taylor also scored seven cup goals for 34 in total that season.Robbie Turner was Taylor's strike partner.Alan Walsh,Mark Gavin andDave Smith were the providers for the strikers. Taylor tore a hamstring in a 4-1 win atCrewe Alexandra. That caused to Taylor to miss the next six of the season's last seven games. In Taylor's six game absence, City managed only one win and three draws. In the last of they six games, City lost 3-0 atBristol Rovers. Rovers over took City at the top of the table that day. City were promoted as runners-up to their Bristol rivals.[52]
In September 1990 Jordan was appointed manager ofEdinburgh basedScottish Premier Division club,Heart of Midlothian. After a poor start to that season, Hearts had sacked their manager of eight yearsAlex MacDonald. They turned to Jordan as a high-profile ex-Scotland international striker.[53] He took charge of the club from 10 September.
With 63 points from 44 games, the club finished second in the1991–92 Scottish Premier Division. Hearts finished nine points behind the championsRangers and one point ahead of third placedCeltic. Hearts led the league for a significant part of the season, losing just two of their first 28 games. In the1991–92 Scottish Cup semi-final they were eliminated in a replay, penalty shoot-out byAirdrieonians at Hampden Park. In the1992–93 Scottish Cup semi-final they lost 2–1 to Rangers atCeltic Park.
After a poor run in the1992–93 season, including a 6–0 loss toFalkirk, later described by the club as a thrashing, the board sacked Jordan.[53] Jordan left the club on 3 May 1993, having registered 69 wins, 31 draws and 43 losses, from 143 competitive games. Speaking in 2010, Jordan asserted he had done "particularly well" and the dismissal was undeserved. He reflected, "That's life, you get on with it, nobody's going to listen to your sad stories, but that was a sore one".[4]
After Hearts, in 1993 Jordan became assistant manager toLiam Brady atCeltic, said to be out of an emotional attachment to the club he supported as a boy, and to Brady. Having been in the job since 1991, Brady resigned just four months after Jordan arrived, and he felt obliged to do the same, stating in 2010 that he felt no regrets and that "You've just got to make those calls."[4]
Jordan was appointed manager ofStoke City in November 1993, replacing fellow ScotLou Macari. Macari had left to join Jordan's previous club,Celtic.[54] Jordan was not a popular choice amongst many Stoke fans after it seemedDenis Smith was to be appointed.[54] They eventually accepted Jordan but the style of play served up, soon began to cause terracing grumblings. The side slowly got results going despite the football style on offer. Stoke finished the1993–94 season in 10th position.[54] The1994–95 season saw no change in the relationship between Jordan and the supporters. It came as little surprise when after a couple of 4–0 defeats, he resigned on 8 September 1994. The returning Lou Macari replaced him.[54]
He managed Bristol City for 130 games in his second spell, from November 1994 to March 1997.
Between 1998 and 2000, he was assistant manager toLawrie McMenemy. They unsuccessfully tried to getNorthern Ireland to qualify for the2000 European Championships.[34]
From December 2000 until May 2002, he was assistant to his former Manchester United team-mateLou Macari atHuddersfield Town.
In 2004 Jordan joined managerHarry Redknapp'sPortsmouth coaching team, to also work with assistant manager,Kevin Bond.[4] After Redknapp's departure in dispute with Director of Football,Velimir Zajec Jordan coached underAlain Perrin. Jordan took over as caretaker manager for two games in November 2005 after Perrin's departure.[4] Redknapp then returned after resigning fromSouthampton. Portsmouth beatCardiff City 1–0 atWembley Stadium on 17 May to win the2008 FA Cup Final.[4]
On the morning of 26 October 2008, Redknapp left Portsmouth after agreeing a £5m compensation deal. He instead became the new manager ofTottenham Hotspur. That left assistant managerTony Adams and first-team coach Jordan in charge of the team that day. They drew 1–1 at home withFulham.[55][56] Adams was formally appointed Portsmouth manager two days later. Adams said, "Joe is Portsmouth through and through, he's part of the woodwork."[57]
On 7 November 2008 Jordan left Portsmouth to join Redknapp atTottenham Hotspur as first-team coach. That reformed the original Portsmouth back room team; Redknapp had brought in the recently sackedAFC Bournemouth manager Kevin Bond as Tottenham assistant manager.[58]
In November 2012, Jordan re-united withHarry Redknapp atQueens Park Rangers as first-team coach.[59]
On 17 March 2017, Jordan was appointed as assistant first-team manager under caretaker managerSteve Agnew atMiddlesbrough.[60] Jordan left his post at the end of the2016–17 season.[citation needed]
On 25 February 2021, AFC Bournemouth announced that Jordan had joined the coaching staff.[61] Jordan left his role after the 2020–21 season, upon the expiration of his contract.[62]
In 2005, Jordan was one of 11 players inducted into theScottish Football Hall of Fame.[63] Having been born in 1951, Jordan was the second youngest of the 2005 inductees, behind the thenRangers managerAlex McLeish, born in 1959, and with the oldest beingCharles Campbell, born "circa 1850s".[63] Honouring the "truly great players, managers and officials who have reached the pinnacle of their profession and have made a significant contribution to Scotland's football reputation through their skill, spirit and determination", the induction followed the inaugural 20 Hall of Fame entrants, inducted in November 2004.[64] Citing his "highly successful career at club level" at Leeds, Manchester United and Milan, the Hall of Fame stated Joe would probably be best remembered for his crucial 1973 World Cup qualifying goal against Czechoslovakia.[63]
According to STV in 2010, for his efforts for the Scotland national team as "braveheart Joe", for the "all round bravery and commitment to the cause whenever he [played for Scotland]" and particularly the crucial goal against Czechoslovakia in 1973, and the controversial penalty against Wales in 1977 (described as the 'hand of Joe', in reference to the later infamousHand of God goal in 1986), Jordan's "status as a Scottish legend is safely assured" among theTartan Army of Scotland's supporters.[5] According toThe Herald, Jordan's hero status took hold with the goal against Czechoslovakia, due to both its significance and the fact it had been seemingly scored "as if it were an act of sheer will."[4]
On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of A.C. Milan, Jordan has been included in the list of the110 most important players in the history of A.C. Milan .
Jordan is described byThe Herald as having crossed two eras in his career – having been a Scottish player at the time they were revered in the English game, he has gone on to coach in England as one of seven Scottish managers or coaches in the Premier League. He attributes this to a common determination and desire to win.[4] In contrast to his playing career, Jordan has lamented the state of the game in Scotland in the late 2000s, which has seen a decline in domestic and international Scottish football, and profile of Scottish players in England, and a drying up of opportunities and even the availability of up and coming local players, contrasted to his era with contemporaries likeAsa Hartford,Kenny Dalglish andDanny McGrain.[4]
Jordan was nicknamed "Jaws" early in his playing career due to his lack of front teeth, which had been knocked out during a Leeds United reserve match after he was kicked in the face during a goalmouth scramble.[12][4] Although they were replaced bydentures, these were removed for safety reasons while playing.[5] In Italy Jordan was nicknamedLo Squalo ("The Shark").[12] When Jordan was manager of Bristol City, fans in the stands waved giant inflatable teeth.[65] According toThe Times in 2009, images of Jordan's "ferocious fangs as a player still regularly [appeared in] Scottish newpapers [sic] whenever an excuse can be found to hark back to the game's golden age".[66] Jordan was involved in several confrontations during his time at Tottenham, including withRoy Hodgson,[67]Paul Ince,[68]Alan Pardew,Andy Woodman,[69][70] andGennaro Gattuso.[71][72] Jordan said in 2010 that he rejected the caricature that went along with his persona, stating "I was what I was, but I look back and I had seven years at Leeds, who were one of the top teams in Europe, then I got a transfer to Manchester United, then a transfer to AC Milan. These are top clubs, and I had opportunities to go to Liverpool, Arsenal, Ajax. I'm not saying that to brag; if those teams thought I had something to offer, it was more than having no teeth."[4]
As one of the nominees for a public vote organised in April 2010 bySTV to name 'Scotland's Greatest Team', Jordan was described as an "uncompromising, old fashioned centre forward who was never afraid to put his head where it hurts for club and country", adding that during the 1970s and 1980s "there were few more fearsome sights in world football" than Jordan.[5]
In a 2007 list compiled byThe Times Jordan was ranked as the 34th hardest man in the history of the game, with the citation "There have been few more fearsome sights in the European game than 'Jaws' Jordan without his front teeth."[73]David O'Leary, when reflecting on his entire playing career as a defender (spent mostly atArsenal between 1975 and 1993) he said of Jordan that he was the most combative forward he had ever faced.[4] He has also been described as apowerhouse in aerial play.[5]
Citing his dislocation of Milija Aleksic's jaw in 1980 as an example,The Independent described in 2011 how Jordan was a player who "did not stand for nonsense on the pitch".[12] According toThe Herald writing in 2010, alongside his strong play, which due to the way the game was played at that time was almost a necessity if forwards wanted to succeed, Jordan also had a refinement to his game.[4]
Following the clash with Gattuso, playing on his hardman reputation,The Independent listed the "Five reasons not to mess with Joe Jordan".[12] Redknapp has said of Jordan as a coach that "You could put your life on him... He is quiet, but when he says something, it is worth listening to."[4]
In coaching, Jordan is described byThe Herald as still having the presence and natural authority he had as a player, and of having an enigmatic solemnity about him.[4] In the same interview, while living inBristol, Jordan was described as having the intensifiedScottish patriotism of an exile, who was willing to seize the opportunity tomanage the Scotland national team since 2002.[4]
Jordan has two sons who have both played professional football:Tom andAndy (who retired due to injury after leavingHartlepool United). One of his two daughters lives and works in Italy. He has an interest in fine wines, picked up from his time playing in Italy.[4] Jordan supportedCeltic as a boy.[4] As of March 2010, Jordan lived with his family in Bristol.[4]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[a] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Leeds United | 1970–71 | First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1971–72 | First Division | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 1972–73 | First Division | 26 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 34 | 12 | |
| 1973–74 | First Division | 33 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 44 | 9 | |
| 1974–75 | First Division | 29 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 48 | 6 | |
| 1975–76 | First Division | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | |
| 1976–77 | First Division | 32 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 12 | |
| 1977–78 | First Division | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 6 | |
| Total | 170 | 35 | 19 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 22 | 5 | 223 | 47 | ||
| Manchester United | 1977–78 | First Division | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 |
| 1978–79 | First Division | 30 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 10 | |
| 1979–80 | First Division | 32 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 13 | |
| 1980–81 | First Division | 33 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 15 | |
| Total | 109 | 37 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 126 | 41 | ||
| Milan | 1981–82 | Serie A | 22 | 2 | 4 | 3 | – | 4 | 1 | 30 | 6 | |
| 1982–83 | Serie B | 30 | 10 | 6 | 4 | – | 0 | 0 | 36 | 14 | ||
| Total | 52 | 12 | 10 | 7 | – | 4 | 1 | 66 | 20 | |||
| Hellas Verona | 1983–84 | Serie A | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 12 | 1 | ||
| Southampton | 1984–85 | First Division | 34 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 16 |
| 1985–86 | First Division | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 1986–87 | First Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 48 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 65 | 17 | ||
| Bristol City | 1986–87 | Third Division | 19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 24 | 7 |
| 1987–88 | Third Division | 28 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 37 | 4 | |
| 1988–89 | Third Division | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| 1989–90 | Third Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 57 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 77 | 12 | ||
| Career total | 448 | 105 | 45 | 15 | 34 | 8 | 42 | 10 | 569 | 138 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland[75] | |||
| 1973 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1974 | 10 | 4 | |
| 1975 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1976 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1977 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1978 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1979 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1980 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1981 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1982 | 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 52 | 11 | |
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 September 1973 | Hampden Park, Glasgow |  Czechoslovakia | 2–1 | 2–1 | WCQG8 |
| 2 | 18 May 1974 | Hampden Park, Glasgow |  England | 1–0 | 2–0 | BHC |
| 3 | 6 June 1974 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo |  Norway | 1–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 4 | 14 June 1974 | Westfalenstadion,Dortmund |  Zaire | 2–0 | 2–0 | WCG2 |
| 5 | 22 June 1974 | Waldstadion, Frankfurt |  Yugoslavia | 1–1 | 1–1 | WCG2 |
| 6 | 5 February 1975 | Estadio Luis Casanova,Valencia |  Spain | 1–0 | 1–1 | ECQG4 |
| 7 | 21 September 1977 | Hampden Park, Glasgow | Czechoslovakia | 1–0 | 3–1 | WCQG7 |
| 8 | 3 June 1978 | Córdoba |  Peru | 1–0 | 1–3 | WCG4 |
| 9 | 7 June 1979 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo | Norway | 1–0 | 4–0 | ECQG2 |
| 10 | 9 September 1981 | Hampden Park, Glasgow |  Sweden | 1–0 | 2–0 | WCQG8 |
| 11 | 22 June 1982 | Estadio La Rosaleda,Málaga |  Soviet Union | 1–0 | 2–2 | WCG6 |
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Bristol City | 16 March 1988 | 1 September 1990 | 134 | 68 | 36 | 30 | 050.7 |
| Heart of Midlothian | 10 September 1990 | 3 May 1993 | 143 | 69 | 31 | 43 | 048.3 |
| Stoke City | 10 November 1993 | 8 September 1994 | 40 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 032.5 |
| Bristol City | 15 November 1994 | 24 March 1997 | 130 | 42 | 51 | 37 | 032.3 |
| Portsmouth | 24 November 2005 | 7 December 2005 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 000.0 |
| Portsmouth | 26 October 2008 | 28 October 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 000.0 |
| Total[76] | 450 | 192 | 134 | 124 | 042.7 | ||
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Leeds United
Manchester United
Milan
Hellas Verona
Bristol City
Heart of Midlothian
Individual
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