Peter Butler (footballer, born 1966)

{{short description|English football manager (born 1966)}} {{Other people|Peter Butler}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Peter Butler | image = Peter James Butler (cropped).jpg | caption = Butler in 2025 | fullname = Peter James Butler<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/33381 |title=Kelantan, Negeri pursue Malaysia Cup history |newspaper=New Sabah Times |date=6 November 2009 |access-date=10 January 2010 |archive-date=7 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107212958/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/33381 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|8|27|df=y}} | birth_place = Halifax, England | height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}<ref name=SB/> | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Bangladesh women (head coach) | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 1984–1986 | clubs1 = Huddersfield Town | caps1 = 5 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 1986 | clubs2 = → Cambridge United (loan) | caps2 = 14 | goals2 = 1 | years3 = 1986 | clubs3 = Bury | caps3 = 11 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 1986–1988 | clubs4 = Cambridge United | caps4 = 55 | goals4 = 9 | years5 = 1988–1992 | clubs5 = Southend United | caps5 = 142 | goals5 = 9 | years6 = 1992 | clubs6 = → Huddersfield Town (loan) | caps6 = 7 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 1992–1994 | clubs7 = West Ham United | caps7 = 70 | goals7 = 3 | years8 = 1994–1996 | clubs8 = Notts County | caps8 = 20 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 1996 | clubs9 = → Grimsby Town (loan) | caps9 = 3 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 1996 | clubs10 = → West Bromwich Albion (loan) | caps10 = 15 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 1996–1998 | clubs11 = West Bromwich Albion | caps11 = 50 | goals11 = 0 | years12 = 1998–2000 | clubs12 = Halifax Town | caps12 = 63 | goals12 = 1 | years13 = 2001–2002 | clubs13 = Sorrento FC | caps13 = | goals13 = | totalcaps = 455 | totalgoals = 23 | manageryears1 = 2000 | managerclubs1 = Halifax Town (caretaker manager) | manageryears2 = 2001–2002 | managerclubs2 = Sorrento FC | manageryears3 = 2002–2004 | managerclubs3 = Sabah FA | manageryears4 = 2006 | managerclubs4 = Singapore Armed Forces FC | manageryears5 = 2006–2008 | managerclubs5 = Persiba Balikpapan | manageryears6 = 2008–2009 | managerclubs6 = Kelantan FA | manageryears7 = 2009–2010 | managerclubs7 = Yangon United FC (technical director) | manageryears8 = 2010–2011 | managerclubs8 = BEC Tero Sasana | manageryears9 = 2011–2012 | managerclubs9 = Kelantan FA | manageryears10 = 2012 | managerclubs10 = Persiba Balikpapan | manageryears11 = 2012 | managerclubs11 = Terengganu FA | manageryears12 = 2012–2013 | managerclubs12 = PBDKT T-Team FC | manageryears13 = 2014–2017 | managerclubs13 = Botswana | manageryears14 = 2017 | managerclubs14 = Platinum Stars | manageryears15 = 2018 | managerclubs15 = Persipura | manageryears16 = 2018 | managerclubs16 = PSMS | manageryears17 = 2019–2022 | managerclubs17 = Liberia | manageryears18 = 2023–2024 | managerclubs18 = BFF Elite Academy | manageryears19 = 2024– | managerclubs19 = Bangladesh women | manageryears20 = 2025– | managerclubs20 = Bangladesh women U20 | module = {{infobox person | embed = yes | father = | mother = | spouse = | education = | alma_mater = | relatives = Chester Butler (son) }} }}

'''Peter James Butler''' (born 27 August 1966) is an English professional football manager and former player who is the current manager of the Bangladesh women's national team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BFF ropes in Englishman Butler as academy coach |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/223102/bff-ropes-in-englishman-butler-as-academy-coach |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=New Age|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Women's team head Butler praises young guns ahead of Chinese Taipei ties|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/347892/women%E2%80%99s-team-head-butler-praises-young-guns-ahead |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Dhaka Tribune|language=en}}</ref> As a player, he made more than 450 appearances in the Football League and the Premier League.<ref name=SB>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=1193 |title=Peter Butler |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=10 January 2010 |archive-date=21 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050421173454/http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=1193 |url-status=live }}</ref> After retiring in October of 2000 he began coaching, working for teams in England, Australia and South-East Asia. He was in charge of the Botswana national team from 2014 until 2017. He currently holds a UEFA Pro License Qualification.

==Playing career==

Butler played as a midfielder for Huddersfield Town, Cambridge United, Bury, Southend United, West Ham United, Notts County, Grimsby Town, West Bromwich Albion and Halifax Town.<ref name=SB/>

==Coaching career==

After a spell as caretaker manager of Halifax Town, Butler moved to Australia where he became player-manager of Sorrento FC 2000–2002, where he set up their academy. He then coached in Singapore with the Singapore Armed Forces Football Club (SAFFC), in Malaysia with Sabah FA, in Indonesia with Persiba Balikpapan, and then back to Malaysia as coach of Kelantan FA.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=658503&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604030646/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=658503&cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2011 |title=No ifs or Butts for Pete about Asia |first=Jason |last=Dasey |work=Soccernet |publisher=ESPN |date=2 July 2009 |access-date=10 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/9/19/sports/4749842 |title=Butler serves a bombshell, quits as Kelantan coach |first=Eric |last=Samuel |newspaper=The Star (Malaysia) |date=19 September 2009 |access-date=10 January 2010}}</ref> In September of 2009, Butler signed a one-year contract as Technical Director and Head Coach of Yangon United FC of Myanmar.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mmail.com.my/content/17841-bitter-butler-wishes-kelantan-all-best |title=Bitter Butler wishes Kelantan all the best |newspaper=The Malay Mail |date=4 November 2009 |access-date=10 January 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110603234712/http://www.mmail.com.my/content/17841-bitter-butler-wishes-kelantan-all-best |archive-date=3 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September of 2010 Butler became head coach of Thai Premier League team BEC Tero Sasana F.C. Butler returned to Kelantan to become head coach for the second time in November of 2011. He resigned from this job in September of 2009, stating his wife's illness was the primary reason for the departure<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-09-19 |title=BUTLER LEAVES KELANTAN |url=https://www.aseanfootball.org/v3/butler-leaves-kelantan/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=AFF - The Official Website Of The Asean Football Federation |language=en-US}}</ref>. Butler was immediately hired by Indonesian Super league side Persiba Balikpapan whom he coached in 2006-08 and led them into the newly formed ISL. He reportedly resigned from Persiba in May 2012, but his resignation is challenged by the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kaltim.antaranews.com/berita/6877/persiba-sudah-penuhi-hak-peter-butler- |title=ANTARA News - Kaltim: Portal Berita Kalimantan Timur |publisher=Kaltim.antaranews.com |access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolanews.com/read/sepakbola/sepak-bola-lain/7541-Butler-Bakal-Dilaporkan-Ke-FIFA-Oleh-Persiba.html |title=Butler Bakal Dilaporkan Ke FIFA Oleh Persiba - Sports News Portal |publisher=Bolanews.com |access-date=2012-10-15 |archive-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516124409/http://bolanews.com/read/sepakbola/sepak-bola-lain/7541-Butler-Bakal-Dilaporkan-Ke-FIFA-Oleh-Persiba.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

===Terengganu and T-Team=== He officially took over the head coach role at Terengganu FA, from Mat Zan Mat Aris on 1 June 2012, although he had already performed his duties as Terengganu head coach before the date.<ref>{{cite web|last=Muhammad |first=Zainuddin |url=http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/terengganu-put-faith-in-much-travelled-butler-1.84079 |title=Terengganu put faith in much-travelled Butler - Soccer - New Straits Times |publisher=Nst.com.my |date=2012-05-15 |access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/05/15/coach-butler-aims-to-turn-terengganu-into-an-offensive-force/ |title=Football Every Day » Coach Butler aims to turn Terengganu into an offensive force |publisher=Football.thestar.com.my |date=2012-05-15 |access-date=2012-10-15 |archive-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516125241/http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/05/15/coach-butler-aims-to-turn-terengganu-into-an-offensive-force/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> As head coach Butler reprimanded two players for returning from a night out at 3am on a morning before a match. He actions were mainly backed by the Malaysian public. However the club's management did not support his stance leading to a six-month ban, RM4,000 fine, 15 per cent cut on monthly salary and the termination of his contract.<ref name="Butler's suspension could mean termination of his contract">{{cite web|title=Butler's suspension could mean termination of his contract|url=http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/09/22/butlers-suspension-could-mean-termination-of-his-contract/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219042105/http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/09/22/butlers-suspension-could-mean-termination-of-his-contract/|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2013|work=The Star|access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref>

The penalties received by Butler were considered by the public to be unjust and a means of simply removing him from the club. He was left with 15 months payment on his contract outstanding.<ref name="Butler waiting for FAM's call">{{cite web|title=Butler waiting for FAM's call|url=http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/butler-waiting-for-fam-s-call-1.157681|work=NST|access-date=14 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118133011/http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/butler-waiting-for-fam-s-call-1.157681|archive-date=18 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Football Association of Malaysia declared their intent to investigate the situation.<ref name="Butler and Terengganu FA settle long-running saga amicably">{{cite web|title=Butler and Terengganu FA settle long-running saga amicably|url=http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/11/14/butler-and-terengganu-fa-settle-long-running-saga-amicably/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221035545/http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/11/14/butler-and-terengganu-fa-settle-long-running-saga-amicably/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2013|work=The Star|access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref>

On 18 October, Football Association of Malaysia's disciplinary board completely exonerated Butler of any charges, quashed the suspension imposed on him and publicly condemned the Terengganu FA of bringing shame to the FAM, the TFA were ordered to pay Butler the remaining months on his contract.<ref name="Butler's ban null and void">{{cite web|title=Butler's ban null and void|url=http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/10/19/butlers-ban-null-and-void/|work=The Star|access-date=14 November 2012|archive-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020000507/http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/10/19/butlers-ban-null-and-void/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Butler and TFA to settle sacking issue by Sunday">{{cite web|title=Butler and TFA to settle sacking issue by Sunday|url=http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/11/08/butler-and-tfa-to-settle-sacking-issue-by-sunday/|work=The Star|access-date=14 November 2012|archive-date=9 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109100230/http://football.thestar.com.my/2012/11/08/butler-and-tfa-to-settle-sacking-issue-by-sunday/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Botswana=== In February 2014, Butler was appointed manager of the Botswana national team.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Butler appointed as Botswana coach|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26122912|newspaper = BBC|access-date = 2015-07-31}}</ref> In his first International game he beat South Sudan 3-0, before losing to Eswatini 4-1. Botswana then went on to beat Burundi & Guinea-Bissau to reach the group stages of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. They ended up losing 2-1 to Tunisia in their first game, before losing 2-0 to Egypt, 2-0 to Senegal, and 2-0 to Egypt in their next 3 games. They were able to draw Tunisia 0-0 in their 5th game but lost 3-0 to Senegal in their final match, finishing the group in 4th place with only 1 point.

In October of 2015 Butler guided Botswana to a 5-1 win over 2 matches in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) first round against Eritrea. Botswana were then defeated by Mali in the second round, winning the first match 2-1 at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium<ref>{{Cite web |title=Botswana secure historic victory over Mali - 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Africa |url=https://africanfootball.com/news/585254/Botswana-secure-historic-victory-over-Mali |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=African Football}}</ref> before losing 2-0 at the Stade du 26 Mars in the return match.

[https://thesetpieces.com/interviews/peter-butler-international-man-football/ When asked about Botswana in an interview], Butler said that "It's a beautiful country, and the raw passion that Botswanans have for the game is unbelievable. In fact, most of Africa has such an incredibly deep love and enthusiasm for football. You can really feel it when you spend time here."

In February 2017 he was one of a number of managers on the shortlist for the vacant Rwanda national team manager role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38973499|title=Samson Siasia and Winfried Schafer on Rwanda coach shortlist|date=14 February 2017|access-date=15 February 2017|author=Oluwashina Okeleji|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

Butler resigned from the Botswana job in June 2017, and within days was appointed as the new head coach of Platinum Stars in South Africa's Premier Soccer League.<ref>{{cite news|title=Butler brought in at Platinum Stars|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/platinum-stars/story/3142828/peter-butler-named-new-platinum-stars-coach|access-date=11 July 2017|work=ESPN|date=13 June 2017}}</ref> He departed the position in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2017-09-08-platinum-stars-sack-butler-confirm-roger-de-sa-as-new-head-coach/|title=Platinum Stars sack Butler, confirm Roger De Sa as new head coach|date=8 September 2017|website=Times (South Africa)}}</ref>

===Liberia===

On 21 August 2019, he was appointed as manager of the Liberia national football team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Liberia: Peter James Butler Unveiled as Lone Star's New Coach |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/sports/liberia-peter-james-butler-unveiled-as-lone-stars-new-coach/ |website=FrontPageAfrica |date=22 August 2019 |access-date=22 August 2019 }}</ref>

===BFF Elite Football Academy===

On 23 November 2023, he was appointed as coach of the BFF Elite Football Academy which is directly operated by Bangladesh Football Federation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/bff-could-hire-experienced-butler-development-coach-3477211|date=23 November 2023|title=BFF could hire former West Ham midfielder as development coach|work=www.dailystar.net|access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref> When asked about the job, he said that he needed a new challenge and a change.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Who is BFF Elite Academy coach Butler with experience of managing two national teams? |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/337147/who-is-bff-elite-academy-coach-butler-with}}</ref> He was scheduled to take charge of the academy from 1 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offsidebangladesh.com/%e0%a6%8f%e0%a6%b2%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%9f-%e0%a6%8f%e0%a6%95%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a1%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%a6%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%af%e0%a6%bc%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%ac%e0%a7%87/|date=24 November 2023|language=bn|title=এলিট একাডেমির দায়িত্বে বৃটিশ কোচ!|work=offsidebangladesh|access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref> However, he officially took control of the academy from 18 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/337123/new-bff-academy-coach-butler-i%E2%80%99m-here-to-help|date=18 January 2024|language=en|title=New BFF academy coach Butler: I'm here to help Bangladesh football|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref>

===Bangladesh women's national team=== In March 2024, Butler was made the temporary head coach of the Bangladesh women's national football team while also coaching at the BFF Elite Football Academy. Eventually, following the conclusion of the 2023–24 Bangladesh Championship League, he was made the permanent head coach and departed from his role at the Academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/347892/women%E2%80%99s-team-head-butler-praises-young-guns-ahead|date=30 May 2024|title=Women's team head Butler praises young guns ahead of Chinese Taipei ties|work=Dhaka Tibune|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>

On 31 May 2024, Bangladesh lost 0–4 to Chinese Taipei in his first game incharge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/bangladesh-go-down-4-0-against-chinese-taipei-3623746|date=31 May 2024|title=Bangladesh go down 4-0 against Chinese Taipei|work=The Daily Star|access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>

On 30 October 2024, under the guidance of head coach Peter Butler, Bangladesh won their second-ever SAFF Women's Championship title, defeating Nepal 2–1 in the final of the 2024 edition.

On 2 July 2025, Bangladesh, still under Butler’s management, qualified for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup for the first time in their history. They secured qualification with a match to spare, following a dominant 7–0 victory over Pot 2 side Bahrain and a 2–1 win against Pot 1 side and Group C hosts Myanmar. At the time of qualification, Bangladesh were ranked 128th in the world, making them the lowest-ranked team ever to qualify for the AFC Women's Asian Cup.

==Managerial statistics== {{unrefsect|date=July 2025}} {{updated|28 May 2026}}<ref>https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/bangladesh/214194</ref>{{notinsource|date=July 2025}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ |- !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="8"|Record |- !{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}} |- |align=left|{{flagicon|BAN}} Bangladesh women |align=left|March 2024 |align=left|''Present'' {{WDL|23|9|3|11|for=48|against=45|diff=yes}} |- |align=left|{{flagicon|BAN}} Bangladesh U20 women |align=left|July 2025 |align=left|''Present'' {{WDL|18|12|1|5|for=63|against=22|diff=yes}} |}

== Honours == === Managerial === '''Bangladesh women''' * SAFF Women's Championship: 2024 * Qualified for 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup '''Bangladesh women U-20''' * SAFF U-20 Women's Championship: 2025 * Qualified for 2026 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{commons category-inline}} * {{Soccerbase}} * [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/wally-meets-peter-butler-journeyman-9004151 Peter Butler Interview] * [https://thesetpieces.com/interviews/peter-butler-international-man-football/ Peter Butler: International Man of Football]

{{Southend United F.C. Player of the Year}} {{Current managers of AFC women's national teams}} {{Navboxes |title=Peter Butler managerial positions |list1= {{Halifax Town A.F.C. managers}} {{Sabah F.C. (Malaysia) managers}} {{Kelantan F.C. managers}} {{BEC Tero Sasana F.C. managers}} {{Botswana national football team managers}} {{Persipura Jayapura managers}} {{PSMS Medan managers}} {{Liberia national football team managers}} }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, Peter}} Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century English sportsmen Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Botswana national football team managers Category:Bury F.C. players Category:Cambridge United F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:English football managers Category:English men's footballers Category:Malaysia Super League managers Category:Indonesia Super League managers Category:Liga 1 (Indonesia) managers Category:Expatriate football managers in Botswana Category:Expatriate football managers in Malaysia Category:Expatriate football managers in Indonesia Category:Expatriate football managers in Thailand Category:Expatriate football managers in Bangladesh Category:Expatriate soccer managers in Australia Category:Expatriate soccer managers in South Africa Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Botswana Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Malaysia Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Indonesia Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Thailand Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Australia Category:English expatriate sportspeople in South Africa Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Bangladesh Category:Footballers from Halifax, West Yorkshire Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players Category:Halifax Town A.F.C. managers Category:Halifax Town A.F.C. players Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players Category:Liberia national football team managers Category:Notts County F.C. players Category:Persiba Balikpapan managers Category:Persipura Jayapura managers Category:PSMS Medan managers Category:Platinum Stars F.C. managers Peter Butler Category:Premier League players Category:Sabah F.C. (Malaysia) managers Category:Sorrento FC players Category:Southend United F.C. players Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players Category:West Ham United F.C. players Category:Bangladesh women's national football team Category:Bangladesh women's national football team managers Category:Association football managers by women's national team