Kenny Jackett: Former Wolves, Millwall, Portsmouth and Swansea manager dies aged 64

Former Wolves, Millwall and Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has died aged 64.

The ex-Wales international - who earned 31 caps - passed away on June 11. He stepped down from his role as Gillingham's sporting director two years ago due to medical reasons.

A number of his former clubs have paid tribute to Jackett, with Watford chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury saying: "There is a deep and profound sense of loss at the football club following the sad news Kenny Jackett has passed away.

"Kenny holds legend status here following his remarkable achievements as a player, a coach and a manager, and the club has truly lost one of its own.

"On behalf of everyone at Watford FC, I send my sincere condolences to his wife Samantha and sons David and Ryan, the latter of whom is working with us today, building on the legacy his father left."

Swansea added: "He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but our club and the game of football as a whole has been all the better for his presence. He will always have a special place in the hearts of Swansea fans, and his place in the history of our club is not in doubt.

"Swansea City sends its sincerest condolences to Kenny's family and friends at this sad time, and the club will look to remember and pay tribute to Kenny when we are all together again at the start of the 2026-27 season."

Millwall described him as "one of the Lions' greatest-ever managers", adding he was "a man who gave Lions fans moments to remember for life".

As a player, Jackett spent his entire career at Watford - making 428 appearances - before transitioning into coaching at the club. He also had a spell under Ian Holloway at QPR as assistant coach.

In 2004, he was appointed as Swansea manager, leading the club to League Two promotion in his first season. He also won the EFL Trophy and the FAW Premier Cup while in Wales.

Another promotion followed at Millwall, where he managed for six years, winning the League One play-off final in 2010 and helping consolidate the club as a Championship team.

He had a similar path at Wolves when he arrived in 2013. The Midlands club won League One in his first season in charge and narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs the following year.

A short 39-day spell at Rotherham followed, before arriving at Portsmouth in 2017. In his four-year tenure, he led them into the play-offs and to an EFL Trophy win at Wembley, beating Sunderland in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

He finished his managerial career with Leyton Orient, before spending 18 months at Gillingham.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: "Kenny stands as one of the most respected managers to have plied their trade in the EFL, a hugely capable leader whose work across four decades has left a lasting influence on the many players, coaches and colleagues who benefitted from his guidance.

"He embodied everything we like to see in a manager, humility, professionalism and a deep care for his players and staff. He improved every club he served and did so with quiet dignity throughout his career.

"From his first role at Watford to his final role at Gillingham, Kenny's work was characterised by an incredible sense of responsibility to his teams and to the game itself. Kenny is a huge loss to all that knew and loved him. Our thoughts are with his wife Samantha, sons David and Ryan, and all of his family and friends, who join us in mourning."

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