After retiring as a player in 1959, McGuigan became a coach at former club Crewe Alexandra, before becoming manager in March 1960. After leaving Crewe in 1964, he later managed Grimsby Town, Chesterfield, Rotherham United and Stockport County. At Chesterfield, McGuigan won the 1969-70 Fourth Division title; he won the Manager of the Year award the same year.
