In honor of Craig Shakespeare, Jack Grealish shared a touching text message he got from his old coach only one month before he passed away.
Shakespeare “passed away peacefully at home” at the age of 60, according to his family’s confirmation on Thursday.
In addition to managing Leicester City, the adored coach was employed by West Brom, Hull, Everton, Watford, Norwich City, and Grealish’s previous team, Aston Villa.
Shakespeare also served as Claudio Ranieri’s assistant manager when Leicester upset the odds to win the Premier League at 5000-1.
Shortly after his passing was announced, Grealish paid respect to his old mentor, expressing his “absolutely devastated” mood after hearing the news.
‘Shakey, one of the greatest people I’ve ever met not only in football but in life,’ the Manchester City and England star posted on Instagram.
‘Last month [he] was texting me when I didn’t make the Euros squad whilst he was ill shows the type of man he was!
Grealish worked with ‘Shakey’ at Aston Villa
Grealish also revealed a touching text from Shakespeare
‘An absolute heart of gold! Everyone really will miss you Shakey. Absolutely devastated. Sending all my love to his family.’
Grealish also revealed the touching text message Shakespeare sent him after he was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
‘Jack, sometimes it’s hard to know what to say,’ Shakespeare wrote to Grealish. ‘But I’m gutted for you and thinking about you.
We are devastated to learn that former #ThreeLions coach Craig Shakespeare has passed away at the age of 60.
All of our thoughts are with Craig's family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/Q6IAG8nNzI
— England (@England) August 1, 2024
‘My most gifted player I’ve worked with. Take care, Shakey.’
A statement released on behalf of Shakespeare’s family via the League Managers’ Association said: ‘While 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.’
A social media post from the England national team account said: ‘We are devastated to learn that former Three Lions coach Craig Shakespeare has passed away at the age of 60.
‘All of our thoughts are with Craig’s family and friends at this time.’