Former Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has passed away at the age of 60, his family has announced. Shakespeare had been battling cancer since October 2023. His distinguished career saw him take on roles at West Brom, Hull, Everton, Watford, Aston Villa, and Norwich, as well as a stint as England’s assistant manager in 2016.
In a statement released via the League Managers’ Association, his family shared that Shakespeare “passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.”
They expressed immense pride in his footballing achievements, but emphasized that to them, he was foremost a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. The family requested privacy during this difficult time as they mourn their loss and thanked everyone for their support and well-wishes over the past months.
Shakespeare is best remembered for his role as Claudio Ranieri’s assistant during Leicester City’s historic Premier League title win in the 2015-16 season. He took over as manager in February 2017 but was sacked in October of the same year after a short stint.
His most recent position was as assistant manager at Leicester City under Dean Smith in April 2023, a role he left following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
Shakespeare’s impact on football was profound, and he is remembered not just for his professional contributions, but also for the warmth and love he shared with his family and friends. His passing is a significant loss to the football community and all who knew him.
