Nigel Spackman is a former title-winning midfielder with Liverpool who enjoyed similar success with Glasgow Rangers.

Backed by a reputation as an astute television analyst, Spackman gained early managerial experience with Sheffield United.

Previously, Nigel made a humble start to his playing days with Andover in his native Hampshire but showed such application that he went on to win trophies with two of Britain's biggest clubs.

His managerial cv shows spells in charge of Sheffield United, Barnsley and Millwall - but his Bramall Lane record, albeit truncated, stands as an indicator of his aptitude for the job.

After becoming player-coach under Howard Kendall in 1996, Spackman was installed as manager a year later. He put the Blades firmly on course for promotion to the top flight but was undermined by player sales and resigned after the team's two leading goalscorers - Brian Deane and Jan Fjortoft - were sold on the same day. United won 20 of Spackman's 43 games in charge, losing only six.

Spackman came to prominence in the first of two spells with Chelsea, winning promotion to the old First Division. He then landed a championship medal with Liverpool in 1988, also playing that season in a shock FA Cup final defeat to Wimbledon.

After moving north of the border via QPR, Spackman's haul of silverware with Rangers took in three SPL titles and both domestic cups.

Since hanging up his boots, Nigel has also carved out a career in broadcasting and has worked in Spain at the Glenn Hoddle youth academy.

He is also a graduate of the LMA's Certificate of Applied Management at Warwick University.