Craig Shakespeare Diagnosed with Cancer
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Former Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has been diagnosed with cancer. The League Managers Association (LMA) announced the news on Thursday, revealing that the 59-year-old’s diagnosis was recent and that he is currently undergoing treatment.
Shakespeare’s Career
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Craig Shakespeare had a long and successful career in football management. He was Claudio Ranieri’s assistant when Leicester City famously won the Premier League in 2016. He then took over as manager of the Foxes in 2017 and became the first English manager to win his first four Premier League matches.
After being sacked from Leicester in October 2017, Shakespeare had spells on the staff of Everton, Watford, Aston Villa and Norwich. He returned to Leicester in April 2023 following the appointment of new manager Dean Smith, whom he had previously worked under at Villa and Norwich. However, the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship resulted in the coaching team not having their short-term contracts renewed.
Support for Shakespeare
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Leicester City chief executive Susan Whelan said on Thursday: “Everyone at the club sends their strength and support to Craig, his wife Karen and their children Elle and Jed.”
The LMA also expressed their support for Shakespeare, saying: “Craig is a hugely popular figure within the game and everyone at the LMA sends him and his family their best wishes during this difficult time.”
Shakespeare also briefly served as an assistant to Sam Allardyce with the England national team in 2016, leaving when Gareth Southgate was appointed as Allardyce’s successor.
Conclusion
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The news of Craig Shakespeare’s cancer diagnosis has been met with sadness from across the football world. Everyone at the LMA sends him and his family their best wishes during this difficult time, and we hope that he makes a full recovery.