The Derry native was capped 12 times for Northern Ireland and was associated with his hometown club Derry City, leading them to a league title as part of a historic treble. However, he also found fame when he led Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Shelbourne to titles. He won 18 major trophies in a coaching career that spanned three decades.
McLaughlin made his debut as a player for Derry City in his teens, in 1957, and impressed enough to earn a move across the Channel. A spell at Birmingham City was a frustrating one, but he enjoyed success in further spells at Shrewsbury Town, Swansea City and Peterborough United. He had already begun a coaching career in the UK when Dundalk lured McLaughlin back to Ireland as a player/manager in 1974.
He enjoyed great success at Oriel Park, leading Dundalk to three league wins and three FAI Cup victories, as well as memorable nights in European competition, including a narrow defeat of Celtic in the European Cup and a reign of terror over Tottenham in the Cup Winners' Cup.
Ambitious Shamrock Rovers brought McLaughlin to Milltown in 1983 and were an instant success. The Derry man was at the helm and won three consecutive league titles, ending a 20-year wait for the championship. They won the league title twice and the FAI Cup, while players from that group also won caps for Ireland, including Pat Byrne, Liam Buckley and Alan Campbell.
April 30, 1989; Derry City manager Jim McLaughlin stands with his team before the start of the FAI Cup final against Cork City at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Derry City, now an Irish League club after a spell in the wilderness, saw McLaughlin as the man to lead them to success and at the end of the 1985/86 season he moved from Rovers to Brandywell, where he took charge of a number of players from the Rovers squad to guide Derry to that remarkable treble win in 1988/89.
He had time for one more league win, having teamed up with Pat Byrne to win the title with Shelbourne in 1991/92. Further spells at Drogheda United and Dundalk were more challenging and when they were relegated in 1999 it was to be his last job as manager.
McLaughlin was also present on the international stage, having had a number of spells as manager of the League of Ireland representative XI and coaching the Irish squad that qualified for the 1988 Olympic Games. He had a healthy return of six goals from his 12 caps with Northern Ireland (1961–66).
Mark Scanlon, Chief Executive of the League of Ireland, said: “We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jim McLaughlin. Jim is a true League of Ireland legend who achieved unprecedented success in our game.
“Apart from his incredible career in Irish football, Jim was a remarkable individual who will be greatly missed by everyone in Irish football. On behalf of the League of Ireland and the FAI, I would like to extend our condolences to Jim’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
A Derry City FC spokesman said: “Since then, winning the three major domestic trophies has never been equalled.
“Jim's contribution has been recognised in Irish football and he has received Special Merit Awards from both the Football Association of Ireland and the Soccer Writers Association.
“The historic nature of his achievements at Brandywell was reflected in 2019 when he was awarded the Freedom of the City award by the local council.
“The family ties continued with both his son Paul and grandson Ben performing for the club.
“Everyone involved with Derry City would like to express our condolences to his wife Reina, his children Sean, Paul, Martin and Jane, and also to his many grandchildren.”
A statement from Shamrock Rovers said: “Everyone at Shamrock Rovers is saddened by today's news that legendary Hoops manager Jim McLaughlin has passed away.
'His soul was at the right hand of God. May he rest in peace.
“There will be a full tribute and Jim will be remembered during the game tonight.”
Shelbourne also paid tribute, adding: “Everyone at Shelbourne FC is saddened by the passing of the legend Jim McLaughlin.
“Jim and Pat Byrne helped Tolka bring back the glory days by leading the Reds to the league title in 1992.
“Our thoughts are with Jim’s family and many friends in football at this sad time.”
While Drogheda United posted the following: “Everyone at Drogheda United is saddened to hear of the passing of former manager Jim McLaughlin.
“Jim managed the club for three years, including our promotion campaign in 1994/95.
“At the right hand of God his soul rests.”