Craig Shakespeare, former Leicester City manager, dies aged 60

Tributes have been paid to the former Leicester City manager, Craig Shakespeare, who has died at the age of 60.

Shakespeare, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, held numerous roles during his coaching career, most notably as assistant to Claudio Ranieri when Leicester won their surprise Premier League title in the 2015-2016 season.

After the Italian was sacked the following season, Shakespeare replaced him as manager but lasted less than a season before leaving the role. He was assistant to Sam Allardyce during his one-game tenure as England manager, and also coached at Hull, Watford, Aston Villa, Norwich and Everton.

“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 (LMA).

“Craig passed away peacefully this morning at home surrounded by his family. While we are 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’s statement added.

“We 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.”

The LMA chairman, Martin O’Neill, paid tribute to Shakespeare’s achievements. “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,” O’Neill added.

“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 of that unbelievable Premier League winning season and many other wonderful times throughout his three spells at the club.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Craig’s family and loved ones at this awfully sad time,” added O’Neill, who managed Leicester from 1995 to 2000. Jamie Vardy, who played under Shakespeare with the Foxes, tweeted: “I don’t have the words right now. Just gutted. RIP Shakey.”

Birmingham-born Shakespeare, whose 60th birthday was today, spent the first decade of his playing career with Walsall before spells with Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom, Grimsby and Scunthorpe United. His first coaching role was as a caretaker manager at the Hawthorns, before joining Leicester for the first time in 2008.