His coaching skills were put to the test at Hartlepool United in 1991 when, with boss Cyril Knowles battling against a brain tumour that was to eventually prove fatal, Murray was shuffled from his chief executive role to the position of manager. A 17-month stint at Darlington followed where he gradually pulled the team away from the foot of the Football League before he teamed up with former teammate Graeme Souness at Southampton.[1]
In September 2004 he once again joined Souness this time at Newcastle United as assistant manager.[1]