“An absolute heart of gold!” - Grealish shares message Craig Shakespeare sent him about Euro 2024 snub after ex-Leicester manager dies
Former Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has passed away at the age of 60. The news was confirmed on Thursday, August 1, and has prompted tributes from numerous players and coaches, including Manchester City star Jack Grealish.
Grealish, who played under Shakespeare at Aston Villa when he was the assistant coach to Dean Smith, shared an emotional message on Instagram.
In his post, the 28-year-old described Shakespeare as one of the ‘greatest people’ he has ever met. He included a message from his former coach that he received after being left out of the England squad for the 2024 Euros in Germany. The message read:
"Shakey, one of the greatest people I’ve ever met not only in football but in life. Last month was texting me when I didn’t make the euros squad whilst he was ill shows the type of man he was! An absolute heart of gold! Everyone really will miss you Shakey. Absolutely devastated, sending all my love to his family.”
Grealish also shared a screenshot of the message Shakespeare sent, which highlighted the care and support he had for the winger during tough times.
”Jack, sometimes it’s hard to know what to say. But I’m gutted for you and thinking about you. My most gifted player I’ve worked with. Take care, Shakey,” the message read.
Craig Shakespeare is widely recognized for his role as assistant coach at Leicester City under Claudio Ranieri during their remarkable Premier League triumph in 2016. He succeeded Ranieri the following season and led the Foxes to the Champions League quarter-finals after they defeated Sevilla in the round of 16.
An overview of Craig Shakespeare’s career
Craig Shakespeare was a midfielder by trade and played for several lower division clubs during his career. He began his coaching journey at West Bromwich Albion as an academy coach in 2000, before he became the club’s caretaker manager in 2006.
In 2008, Shakespeare joined Leicester City as assistant manager under Nigel Pearson. After a period at Hull City, he returned to Leicester in 2011, where he played a key role in the team’s promotion to the Premier League and served as assistant manager to Claudio Ranieri during their Premier League triumph.
Following his departure from Leicester in 2017, Shakespeare had coaching stints with England, Everton, Watford, and Aston Villa before returning to Leicester City in 2023 under Dean Smith.
Shakespeare was diagnosed with cancer last year. His family released a statement on Thursday, August 1.
"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. The family 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.”
It’s a deeply sad day for the sport as the entire footballing community mourns the passing of Craig Shakespeare.