Joe Kinnear, former Tottenham player and Wimbledon manager, dies aged 77

According to his family, Joe Kinnear, who used to play for Tottenham Hotspur and manage Wimbledon, has passed away at 77 years old.

Kinnear, who was born in Dublin and achieved victory in the FA Cup, League Cup, and Uefa Cup during his time as a player with Tottenham, later moved on to become a manager, overseeing teams such as Luton, Nottingham Forest, and Newcastle.

The family released a statement expressing their sorrow at the news that Joe had passed away. They mentioned that he had left this world in a peaceful state while being surrounded by his loved ones.

Kinnear, who earned 26 appearances representing the Republic of Ireland during his profession, became a part of Tottenham as a young person in 1963. He then made his first appearance in 1966.

During the following 10 years, he played for White Hart Lane and achieved several triumphs with the team, including the 1967 FA Cup, the 1972 Uefa Cup, and the 1971 and 1973 League Cup. He played over 250 games for the club before concluding his playing profession with Brighton in the last season.

Kinnear started his journey as a coach in Asia, handling teams in the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia before moving on to work with India and Nepal. After that, he made his way back to England, where he became Dave Mackay's sidekick at Doncaster. Later on, he was declared the manager of Wimbledon in the year 1992.

Kinnear was in charge of the Dons during the 1993-94 season when they finished sixth in the top league. He also led them to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup in 1997. After that, he became the manager of Kenilworth Road and then had a short period at Nottingham Forest in 2004. In 2008, he started managing Newcastle United, but during a game in the following year, he fell ill and had to undergo heart bypass surgery. After his contract expired in 2009, he left the club. Kinnear was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2015.

On X, AFC Wimbledon expressed their profound grief upon hearing the news of the demise of their previous manager, Joe Kinnear. The club regarded him as a real icon who gifted them with unforgettable moments that they still cherish to this day.

John Hartson, who used to be a player for Kinnear's team at Wimbledon, shared a message on social media platform X, expressing his condolences for Kinnear. He wrote, "Rest in peace Gaffer. I'm thinking of Joe's wife Bonnie and the entire Kinnear family at this difficult time."

The football club of Luton Town made an announcement on X, expressing their sorrow upon hearing of the death of their previous coach, Joe Kinnear, who has left us at the age of 77. The club also extended their condolences to Kinnear's near and dear ones during this difficult time.

Newcastle United expressed their heartfelt condolences and sympathies with Joe's loved ones during this challenging period.

On social media, people in the sports world paid tribute to Kinnear for his entertaining personality and lively interviews. The English Football League also acknowledged Kinnear's contributions as both a player and coach, stating that he left a lasting impact on the game.

David Speedie, who used to play football professionally, penned the words, "Joe, who is a revered Tottenham player and an unpredictable Wimbledon team member, has left a remarkable heritage."