Bob Glendenning English footballer and coach. Date of Birth: 06.06.1888 Country: Great Britain

1. Bob Glendenning: English Footballer and Coach
2. Move to Bolton and Post-War Career
3. Coaching Career in the Netherlands
4. Successes and Setbacks
5. Wartime and Legacy

Bob Glendenning: English Footballer and Coach

Bob Glendenning was an English footballer and coach who began his career with Washington United before playing for Barnsley, where he remained until approximately 1910. He featured in both FA Cup finals that Barnsley reached in 1910 and 1912.

Move to Bolton and Post-War Career

In March 1913, Glendenning joined Bolton, where he made 83 appearances as captain. In 1915, Bolton reached the FA Cup semi-finals, losing to Sheffield United. After the war, he played for Accrington Stanley.

Coaching Career in the Netherlands

Following his playing career, Glendenning migrated to the Netherlands where he began a coaching career. His debut was a 1-4 victory over Switzerland, after which he was appointed as manager of the country's oldest club, HFC. In 1925, he returned to the Netherlands national team while still coaching HFC for the next 15 years.

Successes and Setbacks

Glendenning managed the Netherlands national team until the 1928 Summer Olympics when he chose to focus exclusively on the team. Under his guidance, the Dutch won 36 matches and lost 36. The Netherlands reached the final stage of two World Cups but was eliminated in the first round of both.

Wartime and Legacy

After the 1934 World Cup, Glendenning continued to coach the Netherlands for two more years. He suffered a defeat to Luxembourg but also identified Abe Lenstra as the star player around whom the team could be rebuilt. However, his plans were disrupted by World War II. Glendenning managed to escape to England before the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Shaken by the war, he died six months later at the age of 52 and was buried in Bolton, where his gravestone is maintained by the Dutch Football Association.