Former Wimbledon manager and Tottenham Hotspur defender Joe Kinnear has died at the age of 77.
Kinnear played for Tottenham and Brighton and Hove Albion during an 11-year career as a player, making a combined 212 club appearances.
He also won 26 caps for the Republic of Ireland national team.
Kinnear went on to manage Luton Town, Wimbledon, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United — where he also held the position of director of football.
His passing was confirmed in a statement by Newcastle that read: “Newcastle United is saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Kinnear at the age of 77.
“Joe worked at the club as both Manager and Director of Football.
“The thoughts of everyone at #NUFC are with Joe’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
A statement from Spurs said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Joe Kinnear. The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
AFC Wimbledon added: “A true legend of the Club, Joe gave us some amazing memories that we treasure.”
Former Premier League striker John Harton, who played under Kinnear at Wimbledon, said: “Sad news hearing that my ex-boss Joe Kinnear has passed away.. My thoughts are with Joe’s wife Bonnie and the Kinnear family .. RIP Gaffer.”
Ex-Wimbledon striker Jason Euell, who was handed his senior debut by Kinnear, said: “Thank you for giving me my professional debut and playing a part in who I am today and who I was a player. Gone but never forgotten.”
Kinnear arguably made his biggest impact on English football as manager of Wimbledon’s fabled ‘Crazy Gang’ between 1992 and 1999.
With Vinnie Jones as his captain, Kinnear led the Dons to sixth place in the Premier League in his second full season at the club, eventually resigning in 1999 after suffering a heart attack.
Kinnear joined Tottenham as a teenager in 1963 before making his first-team 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 both 1971 and 1973.
The former defender made over 250 appearances for the club before spending the final season of his career at Brighton.
His wife Bonnie said in September 2021 that her husband had been living with dementia since 2015.
