Russell Slade, who is acknowledged as a developer of young talent, emerged from a backroom role as caretaker boss of Notts County in September, 1994. He remained under new manager Howard Kendall before both were sacked the following year.
The pair teamed up again at Sheffield United where Russell was to gain further experience of being in temporary charge.
His first full-scale appointment was at Scarborough in 2001. At the time, the Seadogs were bottom of the Conference but Slade catapulted them to 12th place after an extraordinary revival which yielded 39 points from 19 games.
The resurgence continued as Scarborough climbed to fourth by the middle of the following season. But the club went into administration and Slade resigned.
Although he was persuaded by fans to return, the impetus was lost and Boro' finished seventh, albeit a creditable position in such dire circumstances.
Remarkably, Slade inspired a momentous FA Cup run the following season which climaxed in a home tie with Chelsea. His players did him proud, losing by the only goal of the game.
Slade moved on to Grimsby in 2004, stabilising them in mid-table before launching a promotion challenge. They finished fourth and lost in the play-off final to Cheltenham.
A contract stalemate at Blundell Park led to Slade performing a similar job for Yeovil, an unfancied League One outfit. To widespread surprise, he led the Somerset club to a fifth place finish - the club's highest ever league position. Yeovil then defeated Nottingham Forest in the play-offs before dipping to Blackpool in the final.
After the successful season, Russell received the League One manager of the year award. He then left Yeovil in February, 2009 before being appointed manager of Brighton & Hove Albion on 6 March 2009.
Again he enjoyed instant success by ensuring they avoided relegation from League One.
In November 2009, Slade and Brighton parted company before he began his new challenge with Leyton Orient.
Slade then achieved the objective securing the club's place in League One for the 2010/11 season.
Considering the club had relegation worries before Slade took charge, they enjoyed a fantastic campaign in 2010/11. Orient went onto finish 7th in League one, just one point off a play-off place and reached the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1982. A 7th place finish was a feat that was later repeated in 2012/13.
More success was to follow in 2013/14 as Leyton orient won their first eight league games to earn their best ever start to a season. Slade would go onto guide the club to the play-off final where these achievements resulted in him being awarded the Sky Bet Football League 1 Joint Manager of the Year alongside Wolves manager Kenny Jackett at the League Managers Association 22nd Annual Awards Dinner 2014.
That season the Club would narrowly miss out on promotion to the Sky Bet Championship after losing the play-off final to Rotherham United at Wembley.
He later joined Cardiff into the 2014/15 campaign.
