Former Tottenham Hotspur defender and Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear has died at the age of 77, his family has announced.
The Dublin-born Kinnear won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup with Tottenham before going on to manage the likes of Luton, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.
“We are sad to announce that Joe passed away peacefully this afternoon surrounded by his family,” the family said in a statement.
Kinnear, who won 26 caps for Ireland during his career, joined Tottenham as a teenager in 1963 and made his debut in 1966.
He spent the next ten years at White Hart Lane, winning the FA Cup in 1967, the UEFA Cup in 1972 and the League Cup in 1971 and 1973, making 250 games for the club before spending the final season of his playing career at Brighton. Participated in more than one. .
Kinnear began his coaching career in Asia, working in the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, then India and Nepal. He returned to England and became assistant to Dave McKay at Doncaster University before being appointed Wimbledon manager in 1992.
Kinnear led the Dons to sixth place in the top flight in 1993-94 and to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup in 1997. He became manager at Kenilworth Road in 2001, after which his term ended. He became Newcastle United manager in 2008, but fell ill before a match the following year and had to undergo heart bypass surgery. He left the club in 2009 upon the expiration of his contract. He was then diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2015.
AFC Wimbledon said in X: “Everyone associated with Wimbledon is deeply saddened to hear of the news of the passing of former manager Joe Kinnear. It has given us some wonderful memories that we will cherish.”
John Hartson, who played under Kinnear at Wimbledon, posted on X: My thoughts are with Joe’s wife Bonnie and the Kinnear family. ”
Luton Town Football Club told X: “We are saddened to learn that former manager Joe Kinnear has passed away at the age of 77. Our thoughts are with Joe’s friends and family at this time.” .
Newcastle United said: “The thoughts of everyone at NUFC are with Joe’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Journalists, fans and former colleagues remembered Kinnear’s humor and colorful interviews on social media. The English Football League described Kinnear as “a man who has given us many fond memories both as a player and as a manager”.
Former professional footballer David Speedy wrote: “A Tottenham legend and Wimbledon maverick, Joe left behind an incredible legacy.”
