"A real gentleman"

Dementia! England mourns the loss of coaching icon Kinnear

Joe Kinnear passed away at the age of 77.(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved., Krone KREATIV)

English soccer is mourning the loss of legendary player and coach Joe Kinnear. The Irishman passed away on Sunday at the age of 77 surrounded by his family. He had been suffering from dementia since 2015.

Kinnear played for Tottenham from 1965 to 1975 and played a total of 258 games. He won the FA Cup in 1967, the UEFA Cup in 1972 and the English Cup in 1971 and 1973.

After Spurs, he played one more season for Brighton & Hove Albion before ending his playing career at the age of 30.

Sixth place in the Premier League with Wimbledon
As a coach, he enjoyed great success with Wimbledon FC in particular, leading the now fourth division club to sixth place in the Premier League in the 1993/94 season and later coaching Luton Town, Nottingham Forrest and Newcastle United. Before his time at Wimbledon, he also worked as a coach in India and Nepal.

Heart attack in 1999
Kinnear suffered a heart attack in March 1999 before a league game against Sheffield Wednesday and resigned in June of the same year. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2015.

Wimbledon paid tribute to their former coach in a statement: "Everyone connected with Wimbledon was deeply saddened by the news that our former coach Joe Kinnear has passed away."

"Joe was a true club legend and has given us many fond memories that we cherish. Our deepest condolences go out to his family at this difficult time."

"A true gentleman"
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou said: "It's very sad. Our thoughts and love are with his family and those who were close to him. He is one of the players who will be remembered forever at this club and also an excellent manager. Everyone I spoke to about him said that he was a true gentleman and that he will never be forgotten at this soccer club."