Former Leicester Manager Craig Shakespeare Dies Aged 60

Former Leicester City manager, Craig Shakespeare, has died at the age of 60, his family announced on Thursday.

Shakespeare, who also briefly held a coaching position with the England national team in 2016, died peacefully surrounded by family according to a statement released on behalf of his family by the League Managers’ Association.

He was diagnosed with cancer last October.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Craig Shakespeare, ‘Shakey’,” said his family in a statement released by the League Managers’ Association.”Craig passed away peacefully this morning at home surrounded by his family.

“Whilst the family is immensely proud of his footballing achievements as both a player and a coach, to us, his family, he will always primarily be a loving and loved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle.

“The loss is devastating to us all and we would ask that privacy be given at this incredibly difficult time as we try to come to terms with, and mourn, the loss of a very special person.

“The family would like to thank and acknowledge the many prayers and good wishes sent during the past few difficult months, many of which we were unable to respond to but all meant a lot to Craig and the family.”

Shakespeare managerial career

During the 2015-16 season, Shakespeare was an assistant to Claudio Ranieri during Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League title triumph. He took over as the head manager in early 2017.

However, he was relieved of his duties in October of the same year as the team had difficulties with a disappointing start to the season.

Shakespeare then continued his career as an assistant manager with Everton, Watford, Aston Villa, and Norwich.

His most recent role was as assistant head coach at Leicester, where he worked under Dean Smith starting in April 2023. However, his short-term contract was not extended after the club was relegated from the Premier League.

Tributes to Craig Shakespeare

The LMA chairman, Martin O’Neill, who managed Leicester from 1995 to 2000, paid tribute to Shakespeare. “Craig’s impact on the people he worked with was often spoken about by players, coaches, and managers in the game,” he said.

“Not only because his knowledge of football and coaching was so strong, but also because his personality and warmth made people feel important and that Craig truly cared about their development and success.

“The role he played in the success of his teams should be celebrated, especially at Leicester City, who rightfully see Craig as a club stalwart who played a significant part in that unbelievable Premier League winning season and many other wonderful times throughout his three spells at the club.”

Jamie Vardy, who played under Shakespeare at Leicester, tweeted: “I don’t have the words right now. Just gutted. RIP Shakey.”

Jack Grealish, who worked with Shakespeare at Aston Villa, called him “one of the greatest people I’ve ever met not only in football but in life. Last month [he] was texting me when I didn’t make the Euros squad while he was ill – shows the type of man he was! An absolute heart of gold! Absolutely devastated.”