Garry Pendrey


Garry James Sidney Pendrey is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender, making 345 appearances in the Football League, including more than 300 for Birmingham City. After playing he went into coaching, as manager of Birmingham City and as coach or assistant manager under Gordon Strachan at clubs including Celtic and since 2009 at Middlesbrough.
In 2012, Pendrey was one of seven former players elected to Birmingham City's Hall of Fame.

Playing career

Born in Birmingham, Pendrey spent his entire playing career in England. He signed for Birmingham City in 1965 as an apprentice defender, before agreeing professional terms in October 1966. He played for the club until 1979, making 360 appearances in all competitions and scoring five goals. He then had spells playing for West Bromwich Albion, Torquay United, Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

Coaching and management

After retiring from playing in 1983, Pendrey became a coach at Walsall. Working alongside manager Alan Buckley he helped coach the team to the League Cup semi-final in 1984. In September 1986, Pendrey was replaced when Walsall was sold to a new owner, Terry Ramsden. He then spent a few months on the coaching staff at Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning to Birmingham as manager in June 1987. With a dwindling squad and no money to spend on replacements, Pendrey was fighting a losing battle. In April 1989, with relegation to the Third Division for the first time in the club's history confirmed, the new owners sacked him and appointed Dave Mackay as manager. Pendrey refused the offer of a coaching role, and rejoined Wolves instead.

With Gordon Strachan

When Gordon Strachan become manager of Coventry City in November 1996, Pendrey was appointed his assistant. When Strachan departed in 2001, Pendrey left the club also, only to reunite as manager and assistant at Southampton on 22 October 2001.
On 1 June 2005, Pendrey joined Celtic as Strachan's assistant manager. After the resignation of Gordon Strachan on 25 May 2009, Pendrey left Celtic.
On 26 October 2009, Strachan was appointed manager of Middlesbrough to succeed Gareth Southgate. Pendrey joined Strachan as his assistant. Only to leave in October 2010 with Strachan.