Ex-Leicester City manager Craig Sheakespeare has been confirmed dead at the age of 60. In a released statement the family of Shakespeare, who also served as assistant to Claudio Ranieri when the club famously landed the Premier League title in 2015/16, had passed away at his home this morning.
It had previously been confirmed in October 2023 that he was undergoing treatment for cancer.
Via the League Managers’ Association, they said: “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. 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.”
The Englishman began his coaching career began at West Brom in 1999, having previously made more than 100 league appearances for the Baggies as a player. After nine years at the Hawthorns in various roles, including a short stint as caretaker manager, he left to join Leicester as Nigel Pearson’s assistant.
And he would later play a key role in a golden three-year period for the Foxes, winning the Championship in 2013/14 before the club remarkable escaped Premier League reputation the following season. And when Pearson was sacked by the club, he served alongside Claudio Ranieri.
What followed has gone down in English football folklore, as the club defied huge odds to be crowned Premier League champions. Following that campaign, Shakespeare combined club duties with working as assistant to England manager Sam Allardyce, but left when his reign ended after just one match.
But in March 2017, when Ranieri was sacked, he was promoted to first-team manager at the King Power Stadium. Despite his reign only lasting seven months, he oversaw victory over Sevilla to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, eventually losing against Atletico Madrid.
Shakespeare would later work at Watford, Aston Villa and Norwich, before returning to Leicester in April 2023. During his illness, fans held up banners of support during games.
The official Leicester Fan TV channel has since posted on social media: “Devastating news. Craig Shakespeare has sadly passed away. Wish his family and friends our condolences from Leicester Fan TV. A great part of Leicester City history. Rest in peace.”
