Paul Tisdale

Paul Robert Tisdale (born 14 January 1973) is an English professional football manager and former player.

As a player, Tisdale represented Southampton, Bristol City, FinnPa, Panionios and Yeovil Town during a career which began in 1991 and concluded in 2000, playing primarily as a midfielder. During his time at Exeter City, he remained registered as a player between 2007 and 2016, making his debut as a late substitute in a 2–1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the 2010–11 season and naming himself as a substitute in the EFL Trophy match at Oxford Utd on 30 August 2016.

Tisdale previously managed Team Bath. Having managed Exeter City from June 2006 until June 2018, he was, for 19 days, the longest-serving manager at one club in the English Football League.

Playing career Southampton A former England schools international, becoming the first university team to enter the competition since Gonville & Caius in 1881. Team Bath entered in the preliminary round and advanced through four qualifying rounds to the first round proper, before losing to Mansfield Town. At Team Bath, Tisdale led the club through four promotions in non-league football.

Exeter City During the summer of 2006, Tisdale left Team Bath to take up the vacant manager's position at then Conference National side Exeter City. In his first season he led the club to their first playoff finish, just missing out on promotion after losing the final 2–1 to Morecambe at Wembley Stadium on 20 May 2007.

However the following season success would soon follow, with Tisdale eventually leading the club to yet another playoff finish and ultimately promotion to the Football League following a 1–0 final victory over Cambridge United on 18 May 2008. Following promotion, Tisdale signed a new two-year rolling contract with the club in October 2008. Under his guidance the club continued their impressive form with Tisdale eventually leading the club to a second-place finish and promotion to League One, becoming the first Exeter City manager in their history to lead the club to back-to-back promotions.

The following 2009–10 season proved more of a challenge however, with the club surviving relegation from the third tier with an 18th-placed finish on the final day of the season following a 2–1 win over Huddersfield Town. Exeter City's second season in League One under Tisdale proved to be far more successful, with the club finishing in eighth place at the conclusion of the 2010–11 season – equalling the club's highest ever league finish. During the final day of the season, Tisdale – also a registered player at the club – came on as a 90th-minute substitute in a 2–1 away win over Sheffield Wednesday. The 2011–12 season however, concluded Exeter City's short stay in League One under Tisdale, with the club eventually relegated to League Two following a 23rd-place finish.

Over the following four seasons under Tisdale's management, Exeter maintained their League Two status with consecutive top-half finishes. At the end of the 2016–17 season – Tisdale's eleventh season as manager of the club – Exeter City finished in fifth place, achieving another playoff finish. After defeating Carlisle United across a two-legged semi-final, Tisdale led Exeter to Wembley once again. The final would end in disappointment however, with Blackpool defeating Exeter 2–1 on 28 May 2017.

The 2017–18 season was to be Tisdale's final season as manager of Exeter City. Once again he led the club to the playoffs after achieving a fourth-place league finish. Following victory over promotion rivals Lincoln City across two legs, Tisdale led Exeter City to a Wembley playoff final for a fourth time. Once again, the day was to end with disappointment for Tisdale and Exeter City, with Coventry City winning the tie 3–1 on 28 May 2018. On 1 June 2018, following a failure to agree a new contract, Tisdale left Exeter City after twelve years at the club. At the time of his departure, Tisdale was the longest-serving manager in English football's top four divisions.

Milton Keynes Dons Tisdale was appointed manager of newly relegated League Two club Milton Keynes Dons on 6 June 2018 ahead of the 2018–19 season. After a near-perfect month which saw the club gain 16 points from a possible 18, he was named League Two Manager of the Month for October 2018 by the EFL for only the second time in his career. Tisdale went on to lead Milton Keynes Dons to automatic promotion back to League One at the first attempt, achieving a third-place finish.

Following a poor start to the 2019–20 season in which Milton Keynes Dons achieved only one point from a possible 27 – the worst run of results in the club's short history – Tisdale's contract with the club was mutually terminated on 2 November 2019 following a 1–3 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers.

Bristol Rovers After a twelve-month break, Tisdale returned to football management on 19 November 2020, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with League One club Bristol Rovers. On 10 February 2021, Tisdale departed the club after just 12 points in 15 league matches that saw Rovers only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Colchester United On 1 April 2021, Tisdale joined Colchester United in an advisory role until the end of the season, assisting inexperienced head coach Hayden Mullins as Colchester attempted to stay in the Football League.

Stevenage Tisdale was appointed as manager of League Two club Stevenage, taking on the role on 29 November 2021. He left the club on 16 March 2022, with Stevenage having won three of his 21 matches as manager.

Celtic On 16 October 2024, Tisdale was appointed Head of Football Operations at Scottish Premiership club Celtic. On 5 January 2026, Tisdale left the club following the sacking of Wilfried Nancy, who Tisdale helped appoint a month prior.

Personal life Born in Malta, Tisdale went to Beechen Cliff School in Bath, England, where he was childhood friends with actor Andrew Lincoln. In 2017, Lincoln said "One of my oldest and dearest friends happens to be Paul Tisdale. So I've been watching him very avidly throughout his whole career and I've been very proud of him."

Tisdale's uncle is Game of Thrones actor James Faulkner who played Randyll Tarly in the show.

His brother Peter Tisdale also played at Bath City and Team Bath, and attracted interest from Football League clubs such as Queens Park Rangers and AFC Bournemouth, before deciding on a corporate career after graduating from the University of Bath with a degree in politics and economics.

Career statistics Club

Managerial

Honours As a manager Team Bath Western Football League First Division: 2000–01 Western Football League Premier Division: 2002–03

Exeter City Conference Premier play-offs: 2008

Milton Keynes Dons EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2018–19 October 2018