Career
Bailey grew up in South Africa and started his career with Wits University in Johannesburg. In the late 1970s, Bailey paid his own fare to Manchester for a trial with Manchester United.
He established himself as United goalkeeper in the late 1970s following the retirement of Alex Stepney. He was considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in England in the early- to mid-1980s. During his time with Manchester United, Bailey won FA Cup medals in 1983 and 1985.
He represented the England national team twice at senior level, but was unable to establish himself in the first XI due to the form of the more-experienced Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence. He was first capped against the Republic of Ireland on 26 March 1985, won by England 2â1, with his other international appearance coming on 9 June that year in a 1â0 loss against Mexico.
However, he developed a serious knee injury during training at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and missed most of the 1986â87 season, after which he retired and returned to South Africa where he subsequently resumed his career with Kaizer Chiefs, before retiring in 1990.
Media
Bailey was a radio presenter on Talk Radio 702. He is now a football presenter for Supersport’s football coverage in South Africa. He was an ambassador in South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Peter Schmeichel said on BBC Match of the Day 3 that Gary Bailey was his favourite goalkeeper of all time and he idolised him as a youngster growing up in Denmark.
Personal life
He is the son of former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Roy Bailey.
After retiring in the UK, Gary Bailey returned to South Africa, and after resting his knee, decided to return to play for glamour club Kaizer Chiefs with whom he won the league in 1989 and amassed 5 trophies in 2 years. He retired for a final time, and decided to try his hand as a radio journalist at Radio 702 and also as a TV analyst at Supersport, where he spent 25 years as the face of English football to the continent of Africa.
On returning to South Africa in 1987, Bailey married and had 3 children, Lara, Jenna and Ross, and whilst working full-time at Supersport, he managed to complete an MBA from Henley in Oxford.
Besides being a TV soccer expert, he was also a top Speaker on the subject of “Success under Pressure” and traveled the world speaking to many of the top companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Nike, Coca-Cola, Mercedes Benz and many more. He was recognized for his speaking success by being inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame in 2010.
He met his current wife Michelle Mclean (Miss Universe 1992) in 2010, married in March 2013, and then emigrated in December 2013 to USA and currently lives on Miami Beach in Florida.
He works for BeIN sports TV in Miami covering Spanish and French football, and also does commentary for USL games (USA 2nd division).
He has written two books â Success under Pressure, with the foreword written by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and a personal book to help society on divorce called “Putting the Kids first”.