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Alan McLoughlin (born in Manchester 20 April 1967) is a former Irish coach, and former professional soccer player, playing as a midfielder.

McLoughlin began his career as a trainee at Manchester United F.C., before joining Swindon Town F.C. in August 1986. However, his footballing style didn't fit with then manager Lou Macari's 'long ball' style, and just seven months and nine appearances later, he moved to Torquay United F.C. on loan. His Swindon career looked to be over when he returned to Torquay at the start of the following season for another loan spell, but following suspensions to other players McLoughlin was given another chance in the first team and soon established himself as a regular for Swindon.

It was under Macari's successor as manager, Ossie Ardiles, that McLoughlin really blossomed. He was an ever present in Ardiles' first season, scoring sixteen goals. He capped off a fine season by scoring the winning goal in the Play-Off final at Wembley Stadium against Sunderland AFC. McLoughlin's performances won him international recognition, and he was named in the Ireland squad for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. He made two appearances in the tournament, coming on as a substitute in the matches with England and Egypt.

However, before the next season began, Swindon were demoted by the Football League for making irregular payments to players. With the club in financial trouble, players had to be sold, and McLoughlin left for Southampton in December 1990, for a club record £1 million. However he failed to find the same level of form that he had at Swindon, and he was loaned first to Aston Villa F.C. and then to Portsmouth F.C.. The latter were impressed enough by McLoughlin to make a bid for him, and so in February 1992 he moved to Fratton Park for £400,000 after making only 29 appearances for the Saints.

It was at Portsmouth that he enjoyed his finest years as a player, eventually becoming club captain. Whilst at the club McLoughlin represented Ireland at the 1994 World Cup. In December 1999 he was sold to Wigan Athletic F.C. for £260,000. However injuries prevented him from making a major impact and he moved on a free transfer to Rochdale F.C. in December 2001, having made only 12 starts (plus 10 as a sub) for Wigan, scoring one goal. McLoughlin played his part in Rochdale reaching the play-offs in 2001-02 and scored a twice-taken penalty for them on his last League appearance.

One of the highlights of McLoughlin's professional career was scoring a goal against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in a 1993 World Cup qualifer. This happened when the Republic of Ireland were 1-0 down due to a goal by Jimmy Quinn of Northern Ireland. Alan McLouglin's goal meant the Republic of Ireland qualified for the forthcoming World Cup in the United States. The goal was scored against backdrop of a very hostile crowd in Windsor Park during a period of particularly high secretarian tension in Northern Ireland.

With his career winding down McLoughlin joined Forest Green Rovers F.C. as a player-coach for the 2002-03 season. At the end of the season McLoughlin retired from playing to concentrate on coaching with the club. He was capped 42 times for the Republic of Ireland.

He is currently a co-commentator on Portsmouth-based radio station The Quay

	Republic of Ireland squad - 1990 FIFA World Cup Quarter-finalists
1 Bonner | 2 Morris | 3 Staunton | 4 McCarthy | 5 Moran | 6 Whelan | 7 McGrath | 8 Houghton | 9 Aldridge | 10 Cascarino | 11 Sheedy | 12 O'Leary | 13 Townsend | 14 Hughton | 15 Slaven | 16 Sheridan | 17 Quinn | 18 Stapleton | 19 Kelly | 20 Byrne | 21 McLoughlin | 22 Peyton | Coach: Charlton

	Republic of Ireland squad - 1994 FIFA World Cup
1 Bonner | 2 Irwin | 3 Phelan | 4 Moran | 5 McGrath | 6 Keane | 7 Townsend | 8 Houghton | 9 Aldridge | 10 Sheridan | 11 Staunton | 12 G. Kelly | 13 Kernaghan | 14 Babb | 15 Coyne | 16 Cascarino | 17 McGoldrick | 18 Whelan | 19 McLoughlin | 20 D. Kelly | 21 McAteer | 22 A. Kelly | Coach: Charlton