Craig Shakespeare dead at 60: Former Leicester manager and assistant during magical Premier League title win passes away

FORMER Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has died aged just 60.

The ex-Foxes boss was a crucial part in Leicester’s title-winning campaign in 2016, acting as Claudio Ranieri ‘s assistant.

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PA:Empics Sport

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Heartbroken Jamie Vardy, one of the many stars of that recordbreaking side, led the tributes to his old pal, who was diagnosed with cancer in October last year.

He wrote: ‘I don’t have the words right now. Just gutted. RIP Shakey.”

Shakespeare’s family released a statement confirming the heartbreaking news.

It read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Craig Shakespeare , ‘SHAKEY’.

“Craig passed away peacefully this morning at home surrounded by his family.

“Whilst the family 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.”

Shakespeare’s career as a coach spanned over 24 years and saw him work with a number of top clubs including Leicester, Norwich, Aston Villa and Everton .

While he also held a role within the England national team for a short period in 2016 under Sam Allardyce but left when the ex-Bolton boss was sacked after just one game.

Shakespeare was the assistant manager at Leicester City from 2011 until 2017 – helping the club pull off the impossible when they won the Premier League in 2015/16.

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He later took up the role as boss of the Midlands club in 2017, taking charge of 24 games.

After spells with Watford, Villa and Norwich he returned to the King Power in 2023 as an assistant, staying for just eight games as Dean Smith’s right-hand man.

Shakespeare’s impressive record extends further than coaching with the Birmingham-born man also having an extensive playing career.

The midfielder laced up his boots for clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday , West Brom , Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town .

Shakespeare retired from playing in 2000, immediately turning his attention to coaching.

Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson , who worked with Shakespeare at five different clubs, said: “It’s difficult to put into words how I, and indeed everyone who came across or worked with Craig, will feel on hearing such devastating news.

“He is without hesitation one of the most wonderfully talented, emotionally understanding, calm, balanced and outrageously funny people I’ve had the privilege of calling my friend.

“Safe journey to the next destination my wonderful friend.

“You are loved and admired by us all, and every time we think of you, a smile, smirk, chuckle or memorable occasion will come to us.

“We truly are the lucky ones for having known Shakey.”

Gutted former Leicester skipper Andy King tweeted: “Devastated to hear the passing of Shakey. Not only a brilliant coach but more importantly an amazing person.

“There through it all on the LCFC journey, none of which could have happened without him.

“RIP Shakes, thanks for everything.”

Kasper Schmeichel, who spent six years with Shakespeare during Leicester’s glory years, posted: “Devastated beyond words.

“An absolutely fantastic coach, one of the best I have ever seen, but more importantly, an incredible human being.

“He taught me so much, and I am just thankful to have worked with him and known him.”

Leicester also released their own statement, saying: “An inspirational figure in our history. Craig was instrumental in our rise from League 1 to Premier League champions, before taking charge as Manager and leading us into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Rest in peace, Shakey.”

Shakespeare's career in numbers

A look into Craig Shakespeare's career...

Playing Career

1981-1989: Walsall (240 apps, 45 goals)
1989-1990: Sheffield Wednesday (17 apps, 1 goal)
1990-1993: West Brom (112 apps, 12 goals)
1993-1997: Grimsby Town (106 apps, 10 goals)
1997-1998: Scunthorpe United (4 apps, 0 goals)
1998: Telford United (1 app, 1 goal)
2000: Hednesford Town (1 app, 0 goals)

Coaching Career

2006: West Brom (caretaker manager)
2008-2010: Leicester City (assistant)
2010-2011: Hull City (assistant)
2011-2017: Leicester City (assistant)
2017: Leicester City (manager)
2019-2020: Watford (assistant)
2020-2021: Aston Villa (assistant)
2021-2022: Norwich City (assistant)
2023: Leicester City

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Former clubs of Shakespeare’s also paid tribute to the coaching icon.

Everton said: “Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former coach Craig Shakespeare.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

While Norwich posted their heartfelt condolences, saying: “All at Norwich City are saddened to learn of the passing of Craig Shakespeare.

“Craig is fondly remembered at Carrow Road and his loss will be felt by the entire footballing community. Our heartfelt wishes go to Craig’s friends and family at this sad time.”

A statement released on behalf of his family by the League Managers Association read: “Whilst the family 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.”

Grimsby Town recalled Shakespeare’s stunning playing career in their tribute.

It read: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Mariner Craig Shakespeare.

“The classy midfielder played 121 times for Town, scoring 10 goals, between 1993 and 1997.

“Our thoughts are with Craig’s family and friends at this sad time. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner.”

Craig Shakespeare's career

By Chisanga Malata

CRAIG SHAKESPEARE’s journey in football began all the way back in 1979 when he joined Walsall’s academy.

The late midfielder would go on to make a whopping 284 appearances and score 45 goals for the club before joining Sheffield Wednesday in 1989.

He’d join West Brom the following season and would spend three years with the Baggies – who he made 112 appearances and scored 12 goals for – before joining Grimsby Town in 1993.

Shakespeare spent four years with Grimbsy before joining Scunthorpe United and closing out his playing career with the briefest of stints with Telford United and Hednesdford Town.

He would dip his toes into the world of management in 2006 when he was appointed as West Brom’s caretaker manager.

Shakespeare would then enjoy a two-year stint as assistant manager at Leicester City before a solitary season at the KC Stadium as Hull City’s No.2

He’d return to the King Power Stadium in the summer of 2011 to serve as Nigel Pearson’s right-hand man.

He stayed on after Pearson’s sacking and served as Claudio Ranieri’s assistant as they shocked the world by winning the 2015-16 Premier League season.

He briefly took up a coaching role with England in 2016 during Sam Allardyce’s short-lived reign as Three Lions boss along with his Leicester job.

Shakespeare would take caretaker charge of the Foxes after Ranieri was dismissed in February 2017 and became the Italian’s permanent successor the following June.

But he was relieved of his duties in October 2017 as the club was rock bottom of the Premier League table.

He was appointed first-team coach at Everton in December 2017 but found himself jobless again when then-manager Allardyce and the rest of his backroom staff were given the boot.

Shakespeare would reunite with Pearson in December 2019 when he was appointed as Watford’s assistant manager.

But he’d only remain in the role until July 2020 as Pearson and his team were axed.

He most recently enjoyed one-year stints as assistant manager at Aston Villa, Norwich City and a final spell with Leicester in the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons respectively.