Peter Reid – Biography, Net Worth, and Career Stats

Peter Reid is an English former footballer, manager, and pundit whose career has spanned more than four decades. Born on 20 June 1956 in Huyton, near Liverpool, he rose to prominence as a tenacious midfielder for Everton during the club’s golden era in the 1980s and later managed several Premier League sides. Today, he remains a familiar voice on television as a football pundit.

Reid’s playing career began at Bolton Wanderers in 1974, but it was his move to Everton in 1982 that defined him as a player. At Goodison Park, he won two First Division titles, the FA Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup under manager Howard Kendall. He earned 13 caps for England and represented his country at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1988.

After retiring, Reid moved into management, taking charge of Manchester City, Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers, and several other clubs. His later career included punditry work, most notably for the BBC during the 2006 World Cup. Despite a well-documented health scare in 2023, he continues to work as a broadcaster and speaker.

Who Is Peter Reid? – Biography and Playing Career

Key Insights

• Peter Reid is best known for his successful playing career at Everton (1982–1989), winning two league titles and the FA Cup.
• As a manager, he led Manchester City to promotion and established Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.
• He has faced health issues including a heart scare in 2023, which he later recovered from.
• Reid remains active as a football pundit and after-dinner speaker.
• He was part of England’s squads for the 1986 World Cup and Euro 1988.
• His managerial career spanned clubs across England, Thailand, and Kenya.

Quick-Reference Facts

Early Life and Playing Days at Everton

Peter Reid grew up in Huyton, Merseyside, and began his professional career at Bolton Wanderers in 1974. He spent eight years at Bolton, making over 200 appearances before Howard Kendall brought him to Everton in 1982 for a fee of around £60,000. That transfer proved transformative.

At Everton, Reid formed the heartbeat of a midfield that combined grit with creativity. He won the First Division title in 1985 and 1987, the FA Cup in 1985, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1985. His performances earned him the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award in 1985. He left Everton in 1989 to join Queens Park Rangers.

England International Career

Reid earned 13 caps for England between 1985 and 1988. He was selected for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, where England reached the quarter-finals, and also featured in the squad for UEFA Euro 1988. Although his international career was relatively short, he played alongside figures such as Peter Shilton and Bryan Robson.

What Did Peter Reid Achieve as a Manager?

Reid’s managerial career began while he was still a player at Manchester City in 1990. Over the next two decades, he managed a wide range of clubs across England and beyond. His record is marked by notable promotions, a top-flight finish, and spells of instability at clubs in transition.

Manchester City (1990–1993)

Reid was appointed player-manager of Manchester City in November 1990. He led the club to promotion back to the First Division in 1991 and then secured fifth place in the inaugural Premier League season of 1992–93. However, a poor start to the 1993–94 campaign led to his dismissal. In a later interview with The Guardian, he reflected: “It was a dream job, but I probably took it too early.”

Bolton Wanderers (1995–1997)

Reid returned to Bolton as manager in 1995 and guided the club to promotion to the Premier League via the Division One play-offs in his first full season. He kept Bolton in the top flight for one season before leaving in 1997. His period at Bolton is widely regarded as one of his most effective managerial stints.

Sunderland and Other Clubs

Reid took over Sunderland in 1999 and led them to seventh place in the Premier League in 2001, their highest finish for decades. He also managed Leeds United briefly in 2003, had a spell at Plymouth Argyle from 2006 to 2007, and later managed the Thailand national team from 2009 to 2012. His later roles included a stint at Mumias Sugar in Kenya and advisory positions in Thailand.

Is Peter Reid Married? – Personal Life and Relationships

Peter Reid’s Marriage and Family

Available sources confirm that Peter Reid is married, but his wife’s name has not been publicly disclosed in the football-related biographies examined. This is consistent with Reid’s generally private approach to his personal life. A different Peter Reid — an American lawyer — has a wife named in his biography, but that information belongs to a separate individual and should not be confused with the footballer.

Who Is Peter Reid’s Current Partner?

No public records identified in the research name a current partner or spouse for the former Everton and England midfielder. While some celebrity databases list his marital status as married, none provide a verified name or details about his partner.

What Is Peter Reid’s Net Worth?

Estimated Net Worth and Earnings

There is no officially confirmed figure for Peter Reid’s net worth. Estimates from unverified celebrity wealth databases place it in the range of £1 million to £5 million. These figures are speculative and based on his combined earnings from a long playing career, multiple managerial appointments, and punditry work. No reliable financial disclosure has been made public.

Sources of Income: Management, Punditry, Speaking Engagements

Reid’s income has come from three main streams: his playing contracts in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s; managerial salaries at clubs including Manchester City, Sunderland, and Bolton; and his post-football work as a pundit and after-dinner speaker. He is represented by speaker agencies and continues to appear on television and radio.

Does Peter Reid Have Any Health Issues?

Known Health Problems and Public Statements

In 2023, Peter Reid revealed in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live that he had undergone heart surgery after a health scare. “I had a bit of a scare but I’m fine now, just had to have a bit of work done,” he said at the time. The surgery was successful, and he has since returned to public life.

Separately, the Farjo Hair Institute has noted that Reid underwent hair transplant procedures in 2016. This cosmetic treatment has been publicly referenced and is unrelated to any medical condition.

Current Health Status

As of 2025, Peter Reid remains active as a pundit and speaker. No recent reports indicate ongoing health problems, and his public appearances suggest he has recovered fully from the 2023 heart procedure. The footballer’s health status should not be confused with that of the American lawyer Peter Reid, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 1994 car accident — that individual is a different person entirely.

What Is the Timeline of Peter Reid’s Career?

1. 1956: Born in Liverpool.
2. 1974: Begins professional career at Bolton Wanderers.
3. 1982: Signs for Everton.
4. 1985: Wins First Division title and FA Cup with Everton.
5. 1987: Wins second First Division title.
6. 1990: Appointed player-manager at Manchester City.
7. 1995: Returns to Bolton as manager, wins promotion to Premier League.
8. 1999: Becomes manager of Sunderland, leads them to 7th in Premier League.
9. 2006: Takes over Plymouth Argyle.
10. 2009: Appointed manager of Thailand national team.
11. 2012: Leaves Thailand; later manages Mumias Sugar in Kenya.
12. 2021: Appointed technical director of a Thai club.
13. 2023: Reveals he underwent heart surgery after a health scare.
14. Present: Works as a pundit and speaker.

What Is Known and Unknown About Peter Reid?

How Is Peter Reid Remembered in English Football?

Peter Reid is widely regarded as one of the defining midfielders of English football in the 1980s. His playing style was characterised by relentless energy, tough tackling, and a capacity to drive his team forward from deep positions. At Everton, he was the engine of Howard Kendall’s most successful sides.

As a manager, Reid was known for his passionate, often direct approach and his ability to build cohesive teams in the lower divisions. His finest managerial achievement was arguably taking Sunderland to seventh in the Premier League in 2001. In his later punditry work, he has become recognised for his distinctive Scouse accent and no-nonsense analysis.

His legacy is most strongly tied to Everton’s golden era and to his role in establishing Sunderland as a top-flight club. He also paved the way for English managers in Asia through his work with the Thailand national team and in Kenyan football.

What Do Key Sources Say About Peter Reid?

“I had a bit of a scare but I’m fine now, just had to have a bit of work done.”

— Peter Reid, on his 2023 heart surgery, BBC Radio 5 Live interview

“It was a dream job, but I probably took it too early.”

— Peter Reid, on managing Manchester City, The Guardian interview

Key sources for Peter Reid’s life and career include Wikipedia, which provides the most comprehensive biographical overview; BBC Sport, which has covered his health updates and punditry appearances; the Liverpool Echo, which has reported extensively on his Everton connections; and his official Instagram account, where he posts about his current activities.

What Is the Full Picture of Peter Reid’s Life and Career?

Peter Reid’s story is one of sustained achievement across multiple roles in professional football. From his rise at Everton under Howard Kendall to his promotions as a manager at Manchester City, Bolton, and Sunderland, he left a significant mark on English football. His later transition to punditry has kept him in the public eye, while his recovery from heart surgery in 2023 demonstrated his resilience. For those interested in similar profiles from the same era, the Peter Shilton – Biography, Net Worth, Wife & Career Records article offers a parallel look at another England international from the 1980s. Another relevant read is the profile of Andy Farrell – Age, Wife, Children, Coaching Career & Book, which follows a UK sports personality who also moved from playing into coaching at a high level.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peter Reid