Alan Tate (born 2 September 1982) is an English professional football coach and retired footballer who was most recently the assistant manager of Premier League club Leicester City.

Alan Tate
Tate playing for Swansea City in 2010
Personal information
Full name Alan Tate[1]
Date of birth (1982-09-02) 2 September 1982 (age 42)[1]
Place of birth Easington, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2004 Manchester United 0 (0)
2001–2002Royal Antwerp (loan) 7 (0)
2002–2003Swansea City (loan) 27 (0)
2003Swansea City (loan) 9 (0)
2004–2015 Swansea City 257 (5)
2012–2013Leeds United (loan) 10 (0)
2013Yeovil Town (loan) 4 (0)
2014Aberdeen (loan) 7 (0)
2014–2015Crewe Alexandra (loan) 26 (0)
2015–2016 Port Talbot Town 9 (0)
Total 356 (5)
Managerial career
2021 Swansea City (caretaker)
2021-2023 Nottingham Forest (assistant)
2024 Leicester City (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

A former defender, Tate spent the majority of his playing career at Swansea City. After retiring from playing, Tate moved into coaching with Swansea, before joining Nottingham Forest in 2021, before leaving with Steve Cooper in December 2023.

Playing career

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Born in Easington, County Durham,[1] Tate began his career as a trainee at Manchester United, later earning himself a professional contract. Although he went on to captain United's reserve team, which included such players as Quinton Fortune, Luke Chadwick and Chris Eagles, he failed to break into the first team. Tate went on loan to Royal Antwerp, Manchester United's feeder club, in 2002, making seven appearances in the Belgian First Division.[2] He did not score for Royal Antwerp in the two months he was there, but he did score an own goal against Gent on 17 February 2002, the first goal in a 3–3 draw.[3]

Swansea City

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Tate spent two loan periods at Swansea City. He played a major role in the club's battle against relegation from the Football League in the 2002–03 season, before joining the club on a permanent basis on 6 February 2004.

Initially a centre-back, Tate made a successful transition to the right-back slot. He further showed his versatility by playing several matches in the centre of midfield during an injury crisis at the club during the 2005–06 season, which saw him named as the club's Player of the Year. Tate was in the Swansea City team which won the Football League Trophy final against Carlisle United on 2 April 2006. After the final whistle, he and Lee Trundle were photographed holding a Welsh flag bearing the words "Fuck off Cardiff," which had been handed to them by Swansea supporters.[4] The pair claimed to have been unaware of the message written on the flag. On 24 June 2006, both players were fined a week's wages and warned as to their future conduct by the Football Association of Wales, having already received police cautions for public order offences.[5]

Swansea City reached the League One play-off final against Barnsley on 27 May 2006. The match finished at 2–2 after extra time, and went to a penalty shootout. With Swansea trailing 4–3, Tate saw his penalty saved, sealing Barnsley's promotion.[6]

He continued mainly playing at right-back under Kenny Jackett and occasionally midfield to cover for injuries in the 2006–07 season. When former Swansea captain Roberto Martínez took over as the new manager by the 2007–08 season, Tate had lost his place at right-back to new arrival Àngel Rangel.

During the 2008–09 season, Tate covered all positions in defence, including one appearance as a goalkeeper against Queens Park Rangers.[7] After injuries to Marcos Painter and Federico Bessone, Tate played at left-back for the rest of the 2008–09 season. Tate had a superb 2009–10 season as he played most of his matches in his favourite position at centre-back due to Garry Monk's injury-laden season, as well as captaining the side for most of the season. For the 2010–11 season, under new manager Brendan Rodgers, he resumed his position at left-back, although he has played centre-back ever since Monk got injured in an FA Cup tie against Colchester United on 8 January 2011.

On 28 August 2011, Tate broke his leg in a golf cart accident, managing to lodge his leg between the cart and a tree. The injury was estimated to rule him out for up to six months. Despite this, Tate signed a new contract with Swansea on 14 September 2011, keeping him at the club until June 2015.[8] Tate made his comeback as a late substitute for Swansea in their penultimate match of the 2011–12 season at Old Trafford appearing against his former club, Manchester United.[9]

A testimonial match for Tate against Manchester United was granted by Swansea in the summer of 2013.[10] However, it was postponed because Swansea were scheduled to play Manchester United in their first Premier League fixture of the 2013–14 season.[11] His testimonial was played four years later, on 9 August 2017, with a Swansea legends team facing a Manchester United legends team at the Liberty Stadium.[12][13]

Tate had made 340 appearances for Swansea, scoring five goals in all competitions, which excludes the FAW Premier Cup, which Swansea competed in from 1997 to 2008.

Tate revealed that he was to exit the club in the summer 2015.[14] This was confirmed by Swansea on 28 May 2015.

On 21 July 2016 it was announced that Tate would take up an Academy U18 coaching role, helping to coach the Swans' Under-18s team alongside Eric Ramsay and Chris Llewellyn as well as taking charge of any U17s matches.[15]

Loan spells

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After a falling out with Swansea manager Michael Laudrup,[16] Tate joined Leeds United on loan on 22 November 2012 until January 2013. Tate represented the first signing by Leeds after the takeover by GFH Capital the previous day.[17] Tate made his debut for Leeds against Crystal Palace on 24 November and was handed the squad number 15.[18] Tate received praise for his performance's against Crystal Palace and Leicester City, helping Leeds earn two wins in his first two matches.[19]

After the takeover of Leeds by GFH Capital on 21 December, new Leeds director Salem Patel revealed Leeds were in negotiations with Swansea City to sign Tate on a permanent deal.[20] On 1 January, Tate extended his loan spell at Leeds until 26 January.[21]

On 23 July 2013, Tate joined Championship side Yeovil Town on loan until 2 January 2014.[22] Upon joining the club, the club made the announcement of the signing by producing a mocked-up picture of an easel outside Huish Park following the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's son the day before.[23] Tate made his Yeovil debut in their 1–0 victory over Millwall on 3 August 2013.[24] Tate made six appearances for Yeovil before returning to Swansea early on 5 September due to a hamstring injury.[25]

On 3 January 2014, Tate joined Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen as an emergency signing to replace recently departed Reading defender Michael Hector, on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.[26] He made his Aberdeen debut on 10 January in a 1–0 home win against Hibernian.[27]

Tate joined Crewe Alexandra on 24 September 2014 for an emergency 93-day loan,[28] which was extended in January 2015 to the end of the 2014–15 season.[29] Tate made 26 appearances for The Railwaymen, helping them to maintain their League One status.

Port Talbot Town

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On 2 November 2015, it was announced Tate would be joining Welsh Premier League club Port Talbot Town.[30]

Coaching career

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Following his retirement as a player, Tate began coaching at Swansea City's academy, where he worked with the under-16s and under-18s. He became an assistant first-team coach to Steve Cooper in September 2019, while continuing his work as a youth coach.[31][32]

Following the appointment of Russell Martin, Tate stayed at the club to help the appointment process run smoothly. On 17 September 2021, it was confirmed that Tate was no longer a coach at Swansea City. A week later, on 24 September, it was confirmed that Tate had left Swansea to join Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest.[33] In December 2023 Tate left the club a day after Cooper was dismissed.[34]

In July 2024 Tate was appointed Assistant Manager to Steve Cooper at Premier League club Leicester City.[35] He left the club alongside Cooper in November 2024.[36] He managed 1 game for Leicester against Ipswich (due to Cooper's touchline ban), which ended in a 1–1 draw.

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[37]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[a] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 2000–01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2001–02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2002–03 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003–04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Royal Antwerp (loan)[38] 2001–02 7 0 7 0
Swansea City (loan) 2002–03 27 0 0 0 27 0
Swansea City (loan) 2003–04 9 0 1 0 10 0
Swansea City 2003–04 17 1 1 0 18 1
2004–05 23 0 3 0 1 0 1 0 28 0
2005–06 43 0 1 0 1 0 8 0 53 0
2006–07 38 1 4 0 0 0 2 0 44 1
2007–08 21 1 4 0 1 0 3 0 29 1
2008–09 25 1 4 0 2 0 31 1
2009–10 39 1 1 0 2 0 42 1
2010–11 40 0 1 0 4 0 3 0 48 0
2011–12 5 0 0 0 1 0 6 0
2012–13 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
Total 293 5 19 0 13 0 15 0 340 5
Leeds United (loan) 2012–13 10 0 1 0 11 0
Yeovil Town (loan) 2013–14 4 0 0 0 2 0 6 0
Aberdeen (loan) 2013–14 7 0 0 0 1 0 8 0
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2014–15 15 0 0 0 2 0 15 0
Total 336 5 20 0 18 0 0 0 15 0 387 5

Honours

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Swansea City

Aberdeen

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Alan Tate". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Alan Tate". rafc.be (in Dutch). Royal Antwerp FC. Archived from the original on 24 March 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Belgium round-up: Brugge leave it late". UEFA. 18 February 2002. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  4. ^ Richards, Huw (June 2006). "Local difficulties". When Saturday Comes. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2011. Striker Lee Trundle and defender Alan Tate ... [received] public-order charges for brandishing a Welsh flag with the words "Fuck off Cardiff" scrawled on the front[.] ... Trundle ... [wore] a T-shirt picturing somebody urinating on a Cardiff shirt. Both had been handed to them from the crowd.
  5. ^ "Swans pair handed one-match bans". BBC Sport. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2006.
  6. ^ "Swansea 2–2 Barnsley (aet)". BBC Sport. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2008.
  7. ^ "Tate dons the gloves against QPR". Swansea City FC Official Website. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2010.[dead link]
  8. ^ "Swansea City reward Alan Tate with improved deal". BBC Sport. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  9. ^ "Man Utd 2–0 Swansea". BBC Sport. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  10. ^ "Swansea City give Manchester United testimonial to Alan Tate". BBC Sport. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  11. ^ "Tate testimonial postponed". Manchester United F.C. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  12. ^ "Trundle and Robinson to star in Tate testimonial". Swansea City A.F.C. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  13. ^ "LEGENDS RETURN AS UNITED TRIUMPH IN TATE TESTIMONIAL". Swansea City AFC. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Swansea Defended Alan Tate confirms Liberty Exit". South Wales Evening Post. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  15. ^ "Former Swansea City defender has been appointed as a full-time coach at the club's academy". Swansea City Official Site. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "Swansea City's Alan Tate reveals how his relationship with Michael Laudrup broke down – and looks to the future". South Wales Evening Post. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  17. ^ "PREMIER LEAGUE DEFENDER JOINS UP". Leeds United AFC. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  18. ^ "Leeds Vs Crystal Palace". Leeds United AFC. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  19. ^ "BOSS HAILS ANOTHER FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE". Leeds United AFC. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  20. ^ "Leeds United: New director Patel keen to keep hold of 'key' loan duo". Yorkshire Evening Post. 22 December 2012.
  21. ^ "Leeds United: Swansea City defender extends loan with Whites". Yorkshire Evening Post. 2 January 2013.
  22. ^ "Alan Tate: Swansea defender joins Yeovil Town on loan". BBC Sport. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  23. ^ "Royal baby-style easel for Yeovil Town Alan Tate signing". BBC News. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  24. ^ "Millwall 0–1 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  25. ^ "Alan Tate: Swansea defender's loan at Yeovil ended by injury". BBC Sport. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  26. ^ "Dons sign Alan Tate from Swansea City on loan deal". eveningexpress.co.uk. Evening Express. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  27. ^ "Aberdeen 1–0 Hibernian". BBC Sport. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  28. ^ "Alan Tate: Crewe Alexandra sign Swansea City defender". BBC Sport. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  29. ^ Vincent, Gareth (5 January 2015). "Alan Tate brings curtain down on Swansea City career by rejoining Crewe Alexandra". South Wales Evening Post. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  30. ^ "Former Swansea City player Alan Tate signs for Port Talbot Town". South Wales Evening Post. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  31. ^ "Alan Tate joins Swansea City's first-team coaching staff". Swansea City. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  32. ^ "Alan Tate: Former Swansea City player joins first-team staff". BBC Sport. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  33. ^ "Alan Tate leaves Swansea City to take up role at Nottingham Forest". Swansea City. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  34. ^ "Forest confirm departure of coaching staff". BBC Sport. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Tate joins Leicester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  36. ^ "Leicester City Parts Company With Steve Cooper". www.lcfc.com. 24 November 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  37. ^ Alan Tate at Soccerbase  . Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  38. ^ "Spelersprofiel" [Player profile]. rafcmuseum.be. Royal Antwerp FC. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  39. ^ "Carlisle 1–2 Swansea". BBC Sport. 2 April 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  40. ^ Bostock, Adam (4 May 2010). "Award joy for Keane". ManUtd.com. Manchester United Football Club. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
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