Daniel John Hay (born 15 May 1975) is a retired New Zealand professional footballer who is currently the manager of the New Zealand men's national football team, New Zealand U-23, and New Zealand U-20. Hay played as a central defender for Premier League club Leeds United and National Soccer League side, Perth Glory. He also captained Waitakere United in the New Zealand Football Championship.
Early and personal life
Hay was born in Auckland and grew up in Titirangi and later Hillsborough. He attended Kelston Boys High School where he played in the 1st XI for four years between 1990–1993.
High school career
Kelston Boys High School
Hay played for his school's first XI. Hay was awarded the Auckland College Sportsperson of the Year (Football) for 1993.
Club career
Waitakere City
Hay played for Waitakere City in 1994 and was named in the starting line up as an injury replacement for Rodger Gray in the Chatham Cup final against Wellington Olympic which was won 1–0. Hay was also a member of the successful Waitakere City team that ended up winning the 1995 New Zealand Superclub League competition beating Waikato United 4–0 in the final. Waitakere repeated their Chatham Cup success beating North Shore United in the 1995 final 4–0.
Central United
Hay moved to Central United for the National Summer League which commenced in January 1996. On 30 March he captained the side to their away win over Waitakere City 2–0 and contributed with a penalty goal.
Perth Glory
In August 1997, Hay signed for Perth Glory in only their second season in the Australian National Soccer League. Hay scored a goal in their 4–1 win over eventual season championship winners South Melbourne at Perth Oval on 7 December 1997. Perth Glory finished 8th on the table at the end of the season. Hay was awarded the prestigious Perth Glory Most Glorious Player award.
The following season proved to be more successful for Perth Glory finishing 3rd after losing the preliminary final to Sydney United at Sydney on 23 May 1999. Hay was awarded again the prestigious Perth Glory Most Glorious Player award this time jointly with Scott Miller.
Leeds United
In June 1999, Hay trialled for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart before trialling the following month for FA Premier League side, Leeds United on the first team's pre season tour of Sweden and Finland. On 14 July 1999, Hay started in their friendly match against Swedish side Byske IF. On 17 July 1999, he started again and played the full fixture against Finnish side Tervaritahdet in Oulu. Hay was rested for the final match against Swedish side Bodens BK. Due to trial commitments Hay was unavailable for international duties at the Confederations Cup in Mexico.
Hay was successful in obtaining a three-year contract with Leeds and became the first New Zealander to be offered a contract by a Premier League club. Hay was initially included in Leeds' Reserve squad for the 1999—2000 Premier Reserve League season where he started in the majority of the 24 fixtures between August 1999 and May 2000.
Hay's time at Leeds was marked by injuries and all his appearances for the club's first team featured in less than a two-month period from when he debuted for the team in the UEFA Champions League. His time with the team was mainly on the bench when the team itself was ravaged by injuries.
On 30 September 1999, Hay was named on the bench for Leeds' second leg UEFA Cup first round fixture against Partizan Belgrade at Elland Road.
UEFA Champions League
On 13 September 2000, Hay was named on the bench for their UEFA Champions League first group stage fixture against FC Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Hay came on in the 89th minute as a substitute for captain Lucas Radebe who suffered what appeared to be a serious neck injury.
After making an appearance in the game against Barcelona, Hay was named on the bench but didn't see the field again for Leeds in games against AC Milan, Beşiktaş J.K twice and the home fixture against Barcelona
On 8 November 2000, Hay was again a substitute for the return leg away fixture against AC Milan which was drawn 1–1. The point gained, qualified Leeds to join group leaders AC Milan through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
A hernia operation curtailed Hay's further involvement until he made a return for the Reserves team against Liverpool in January 2001. On 14 March 2001, Hay returned to the bench for the first team for the return leg fixture against Lazio at home which was drawn 3–3 and advanced Leeds into the quarter-final stage.