.JPG) Ferdinand watching aQueens Park Rangers match in 2015 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Leslie Ferdinand[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1966-12-08)8 December 1966 (age 58)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Acton, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Viking Sports | |||
| Southall | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1984–1986 | Southall | ||
| 1986–1987 | Hayes | 33 | (19) |
| 1987–1995 | Queens Park Rangers | 163 | (80) |
| 1988 | →Brentford (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 1988–1989 | →Beşiktaş (loan) | 24 | (14) |
| 1995–1997 | Newcastle United | 68 | (41) |
| 1997–2003 | Tottenham Hotspur | 118 | (33) |
| 2003 | West Ham United | 14 | (2) |
| 2003–2004 | Leicester City | 29 | (12) |
| 2004–2005 | Bolton Wanderers | 12 | (1) |
| 2005 | Reading | 12 | (1) |
| 2005–2006 | Watford | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 443 | (184) | |
| International career | |||
| 1998 | England B | 1 | (1) |
| 1993–1998 | England | 17 | (5) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2015 | Queens Park Rangers (caretaker) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Leslie Ferdinand (born 8 December 1966) is an English football coach, former professionalfootballer and television pundit.
Astriker, his playing career included notable spells in thePremier League withQueens Park Rangers,Newcastle United,Tottenham Hotspur,West Ham United,Leicester City andBolton Wanderers. He also played inTurkey withBeşiktaş and in theFootball League withBrentford,Reading andWatford. Prior to becoming a professional player, Ferdinand had played non-league football with bothSouthall andHayes. He earned 17caps forEngland and was part of theEuro 96 andWorld Cup 98 squads. He is the eleventh-highest scorer in the history of thePremier League, with 149 goals[3] and he contributed a further 49 assists in the division.[2]
Following retirement, Ferdinand has mainly found work as apundit. He returned to Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 as striker coach, departing in 2014. He then returned to QPR, first as head of football operations and subsequently as director of football. In 2015, he was named as caretaker manager for a short period.
Ferdinand was born inActon, Greater London.[4] He is the second cousin of football-playing brothersRio andAnton Ferdinand and a cousin ofMaidenhead United playerKane Ferdinand.[5][6]
His autobiography,Sir Les, was published in 1997.[7][8][9][10]
Ferdinand was appointed aMember of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the2005 Birthday Honours.[11]
In an interview with theEvening Standard in February 2020, Ferdinand stated that fans racially abused him during his stints as a player and director of football.[12]
Ferdinand started his career in non-league football, first atViking Sports before moving toSouthall.[13] He made his league debut for Southall in August 1984 againstChertsey Town,[14] and was part of the team which reached theFA Vase final in 1986, losing 3–0 toHalesowen Town.[15] Following this, Ferdinand moved toHayes, where he scored 20 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions (including friendlies).[16] He was spotted byQueens Park Rangers and moved there for £50,000.[17]
Ferdinand made his QPR debut on 20 April 1987, aged 20, as a substitute in the 4–1 league defeat byCoventry City atHighfield Road – the first of two league appearancesthat season. He played a further league game in1987–88, and was loaned for three games toThird DivisionBrentford. In 1988, he was loaned to Turkish sideBeşiktaş for a season, and performed well with 14 goals in 24 league games and he also got his first taste of silverware, helping the club to a 3–1 aggregate victory overFenerbahçe S.K. in theTurkish Cup.[18]
He returned to the QPR side for the1989–90 season, and appeared in nine First Division matches as well as scoring his first two English league goals. He fared better in1990–91, playing in 18 league games and scoring eight goals as QPR ended up in a mid-table position. His 10 goals from 23 games in1991–92 helped ensure QPR's status as founder members of the newFA Premier League for the1992–93 season, and it was during this campaign that he established himself as a top striker, scoring 20 goals in 37 games as QPR finished fifth — the highest placed of all theLondon sides. In his autobiography,Sir Les, Ferdinand wrote of his pride at scoring a hat-trick in a 5–3 win againstEverton atGoodison Park in April 1993, a place where he had previously received racist abuse:
The hat-trick at Everton was particularly pleasing because I had always had racial abuse at Everton from their supporters. Doing that to them gave me extra pleasure. There are certain things which stick in your mind during your career as a footballer and the racism at Goodison Park is one of them. Probably the worst thing I have encountered in my professional career has been racist letters coming from supporters – most of which, I have to say, have come from Everton fans. After I scored that hat-trick against them over the Easter period, the letters I got back were disgusting.[19]
Ferdinand's fine form continued into1993–94, during which his 16 goals from 36 games helped QPR finish ninth. Despite mounting speculation of a move to eitherManchester United orArsenal, he signed a two-year contract with QPR that summer.[20] In1994–95, he scored 24 times in the Premier League and speculation grew that he would soon be on his way to a bigger club. In nearly a decade atLoftus Road, he played under four different managers –Jim Smith,Trevor Francis,Don Howe andGerry Francis.[21]
Ferdinand was sold toNewcastle in 1995 for £6 million, with Hayes receiving £600,000 due to a sell-on clause agreed following his move to QPR. With the money received,Hayes built a function suite and named it "The Ferdinand Suite" in his honour.[12] His arrival at the club came nearly three years after the Magpies had offered QPR £3.3million for him during their Division One promotion season — but the offer had been turned down.[22]
The spell onTyneside was arguably Ferdinand's most successful club tenure. He scored 29 goals in his first season with Newcastle, and significantly contributed to the side's getting within touching distance of the Premiership title in the1995–96 season.[17] Newcastle led the league by 12 points at one stage, but were overhauled by Manchester United in the final three months of the season.[23][24]
In both of his seasons on Tyneside, Ferdinand collected runners-up medals in thePremier League.[25] In the second season, they contested a four-horse race withManchester United,Arsenal andLiverpool before Manchester United won the title. Midway through the1996–97 season, however, came a change, as managerKevin Keegan surprisingly departed Newcastle and was replaced byKenny Dalglish.[26] Despite the Scot being regretful to lose such a talented striker, it quickly became apparent Ferdinand would be dispensed to free up funds for further signings.[27] In an interview withSky Sports in 2019, Ferdinand admitted that he regretted leaving Newcastle and had hoped at the time to stay on Tyneside for the rest of his career.[27]
Ferdinand scored 50 goals in only 84 games at Newcastle, forming a successful strike partnership withAlan Shearer. He was very highly thought of by the Newcastle United supporters during his spell with the club and is known affectionately as 'Sir Les' on Tyneside.[25]
Ferdinand received a standing ovation when he returned toSt James' Park as a Tottenham player, trying to put Shearer's number 9 shirt on to complete a lap of honour, he broke down in tears and could only manage to put the shirt on inside out and back to front before being helped from the field. Ferdinand returned again, when he also received a standing ovation, coming on as a substitute at Alan Shearer'stestimonial and subsequently scored.
He was inducted into the Newcastle United Foundation Hall of Fame on 7 November 2017.[25]
In 1997 Ferdinand was bought byTottenham Hotspur, the club he supported as a boy, for £6 million.[17] Injuries heavily disrupted his first season at the club, but towards the end of the campaign he formed a good partnership withJürgen Klinsmann, and the pair's goals saved Spurs from relegation from the Premiership.[17] Ferdinand helped Spurs win the League Cup in 1999, defeatingLeicester City 1–0 in the final atWembley, but injuries restricted him to just 12 goals in his first three seasons at the club.[17][28][29]
He improved his goal-scoring return over the next two seasons, contributing 10 goals in the2000–01 season and a further 15 during the2001–02 campaign. Ferdinand scored the 10,000th goal in Premiership history on 15 December 2001 in a 4–0 win againstFulham.[30] He played in a second League Cup final for the club againstBlackburn Rovers in2002, but was thwarted by three saves by Rovers' goalkeeperBrad Friedel as Spurs lost 2–1.[31]
After struggling to find a place in Spurs' first team season followingGlenn Hoddle's purchase ofRobbie Keane fromLeeds, he moved toWest Ham United on 21 January 2003 for an undisclosed fee.[32] He scored his first goal for the club against former club Tottenham,[33] but was unable to prevent the club's relegation from thePremier League and opted to remain in the top flight by signing for newly promotedLeicester City on a free transfer. While at Leicester Ferdinand scored 14 Premiership goals, despite being 37 years old. After the Foxes were relegated at the end ofthat season, he rejected a new contract and joinedBolton Wanderers.[34]
Ferdinand memorably scored forBolton Wanderers against rivals Manchester United in the last minute, despite playing from a centre back position, which looked to have given the Wanderers the win, but a goal fromDavid Bellion even deeper in injury time gave United a point.[35]
He found opportunities from the start limited, but proved useful for all his experience when coming off the substitutes' bench, and scored against former club Tottenham in the League Cup, with what proved to be a mere consolation goal in a 4–3 thriller which Bolton lost.[36] He left them on 2 January 2005. Four days later, he signed withReading. His contract at the club lasted until the end of the2004–05 season. He scored one league goal in his time at Reading, in a 2–1 loss toCoventry.[37]
Ferdinand committed to non-contract terms withWatford during the2005–06, but did not play a competitive game for the club and left after their promotion to thePremier League via theFootball League Championship playoffs. He retired from football a few months short of his 40th birthday.[17]
Ferdinand made hisEngland debut in February 1993 againstSan Marino, scoring the final goal in a 6–0 victory atWembley.[38] He was part of theEuro 96 and1998 FIFA World Cup squads, although he did not feature in any of the tournament matches.[11][39] He was capped 17 times, scoring five goals.[38]
On 5 November 2008 Ferdinand joined fellow ex-Tottenham playerTim Sherwood on the coaching staff of Tottenham Hotspur, to work with thestrikers.[40][41] Ferdinand left the club on 19 June 2014.[42] In October 2014, Ferdinand became head of football operations atQueens Park Rangers, before being appointed as director of football in February 2015.[43]
On 16 June 2023, it was announced that Ferdinand had stepped down as director of football with the west London club, citing it was the right time to move on after eight years at the helm.[44]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Queens Park Rangers | 1986–87 | First Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |
| 1987–88 | First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1989–90 | First Division | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1990–91 | First Division | 18 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 8 | |
| 1991–92 | First Division | 23 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1[a] | 0 | 26 | 12 | |
| 1992–93 | Premier League | 37 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 42 | 24 | ||
| 1993–94 | Premier League | 36 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | 40 | 18 | ||
| 1994–95 | Premier League | 37 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 42 | 26 | ||
| Total | 163 | 80 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 184 | 90 | ||
| Brentford (loan) | 1987–88 | Third Division | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| Beşiktaş (loan) | 1988–89 | Süper Lig | 24 | 14 | 5 | 4 | — | 1 | 0 | 30 | 18 | |
| Newcastle United | 1995–96 | Premier League | 37 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | – | 44 | 29 | |
| 1996–97 | Premier League | 31 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5[b] | 4 | 40 | 21 | |
| Total | 68 | 41 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 84 | 50 | ||
| Tottenham Hotspur | 1997–98 | Premier League | 21 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 24 | 5 | |
| 1998–99 | Premier League | 24 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 35 | 5 | ||
| 1999–2000 | Premier League | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2000–01 | Premier League | 28 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 35 | 10 | ||
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 25 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | — | 33 | 15 | ||
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 13 | 2 | ||
| Total | 118 | 33 | 16 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 149 | 39 | ||
| West Ham United | 2002–03 | Premier League | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 2 | ||
| Leicester City | 2003–04 | Premier League | 29 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 31 | 13 | |
| Bolton Wanderers | 2004–05 | Premier League | 12 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 14 | 2 | ||
| Reading | 2004–05 | Championship | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 1 | ||
| Watford | 2005–06 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | 443 | 184 | 37 | 11 | 36 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 523 | 215 | ||
Beşiktaş
Tottenham Hotspur
Individual
England squads | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
