Former Republic of Ireland international Joe Kinnear passes away aged 77

"We are sad to announce that Joe passed away peacefully this afternoon surrounded by his family," his loved ones confirmed.

RIP: Former Republic of Ireland international Joe Kinnear has passed away at the age of 77, his family have announced. Picture credit; Pat Murphy.

Joe Kinnear, the former Tottenham Hotspur defender and Wimbledon manager, has died at the age of 77, his family has said.

Dublin-born Kinnear, who won the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup as a player with Tottenham, went on to manage Luton, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle among others.

A statement from the family said: “We are sad to announce that Joe passed away peacefully this afternoon surrounded by his family.” Kinnear, who won 26 caps with the Republic of Ireland during his career, joined Tottenham as a teenager in 1963 before making his debut in 1966.

He spent the next decade at White Hart Lane, lifting the FA Cup in 1967, the Uefa Cup in 1972 and the League Cup in 1971 and 1973, making more than 250 appearances for the club before spending the final season of his playing career at Brighton.

Kinnear began his coaching career in Asia, working in the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia before spells with India and Nepal. He returned to England to become Dave Mackay’s assistant at Doncaster and would be named Wimbledon manager in 1992.

Kinnear led the Dons to a sixth-placed finish in the top flight in the 1993-94 season, and guided them to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup in 1997. He took over at Kenilworth Road in 2001 before a brief stint with Nottingham Forest in 2004. He became Newcastle United’s manager in 2008 but became ill before a game the following year and had to have a heart bypass operation.

He left the club when his contract expired in 2009. He was later diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2015.

The FAI posted on social media: "The FAI is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former senior international Joe Kinnear who played 26 times for his country in an illustrious career.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with Joe’s family and his many friends in football at this difficult time."

AFC Wimbledon said on X: “Everyone connected with Wimbledon was deeply saddened to hear the news that our former manager, Joe Kinnear, has passed away.

“A true legend of the club, Joe gave us some amazing memories that we treasure.”

John Hartson, who played under Kinnear at Wimbledon, posted on X: “RIP Gaffer. My thoughts are with Joe’s wife Bonnie and the Kinnear family.”

Luton Town football club said on X: “We are saddened to learn that our 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 on social media for his humour and colourful interviews. The English Football League described Kinnear as “a man who provided so many memories as a player and a manager”.

The former professional footballer David Speedie wrote: “A Tottenham legend and a Wimbledon maverick, Joe leaves behind a wonderful legacy.”

Guardian