Glenn Roeder dies aged 65 after long battle with brain tumour

Former Watford, West Ham, and Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has died at the age of 65 following a long battle with a brain tumour.

Roeder also managed Gillingham and Norwich City, as well as serving as a coach under Glenn Hoddle for the England national team.

He played over 500 times as a defender for a number of clubs, including Leyton Orient, QPR, Newcastle, and Watford.

Roeder captained QPR in the 1982 FA Cup final against Tottenham, which they lost following a replay, and to the Second Division title in 1983.

At Newcastle, he made 219 senior appearances in five years and also led them to promotion from the Second Division in 1984.

He ended his 20-year career on the pitch as player/manager of Gillingham, a move which saw him cut his teeth as a coach.

It was in April 2003, during his spell in charge at West Ham, that Roeder was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

That led to him having to undergo surgery and a period of recovery before returning to the role in July of the same year.

His last role in the game was as a managerial advisor at Stevenage in 2016.

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Roeder's former clubs paid tribute, while Paul Gascoigne, who formed a close bond with Roeder after he came into the Newcastle first team in the 1980s, shared some fond memories of his former teammate.

"When I first started playing for Newcastle, Glenn was there, always supporting me. We would play snooker together and he would drop me off at home after training," Gascoigne told Sky Sports News.

"When I got into the first team, he would be constantly talking to me on the pitch, telling me that I was playing well and where to go next on the pitch. For a young player, that is massive.

"When I moved to London, he drove me down there and parked up outside this huge house. It was a famous footballer's house. He said to me, 'look at that, this is what you are playing for.'

"He was the best captain I played for, the most honest, and he would put everybody before himself, making sure everybody was ready for the game before worrying about himself.

"He only got angry with me once, that was because I put the whistle off the kettle on his exhaust pipe and it cost him £360 to have the car checked out!

"Glenn was one of football's gentlemen and he will be sorely missed by his lovely family, his friends, and the whole of football."

West Ham joint chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold said: "We are both deeply saddened by the passing of Glenn, who was hugely respected and liked by everyone in the game.

"As a player, Glenn enjoyed success with QPR and Newcastle, among others, before establishing himself as one of the country's top coaches, with a well-earned reputation for developing young players, including the likes of Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe during his time with West Ham United.

"Off the pitch, he was a loving family man and our sincere condolences go to Glenn's loved ones at this sad time."

West Ham manager David Moyes said: "Glenn was a true gentleman and demonstrated a lifelong dedication to the game we love, including a two-year spell as manager of this great football club.

"A well-respected player and coach, Glenn will be sorely missed by the football family. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends."

News of Roeder's death had earlier been confirmed in a statement by the League Managers' Association (LMA), with the organisation's chairman Howard Wilkinson among those to pay tribute to him.

"A cultured defender as a player, he managed with a studious style and was always generous with his time and ideas," said Wilkinson.

"Glenn was such an unassuming, kind gentleman who demonstrated lifelong dedication to the game. Not one to court headlines, his commitment and application to his work at all levels warrants special mention.

"Football has lost a great servant today and our sincere condolences go to Glenn's family and friends."

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan added: "Glenn achieved so much throughout his lifelong career in the game.

"After retiring as a player, he became one of the country's most respected coaches, working across all levels of the professional game, in senior and academy football, and acting as a trusted advisor to many coaches and players.

"At every club, he chose to develop new talent and to give opportunities to the younger players in his charge.

"He will be sorely missed by all of the LMA's members and his colleagues from across the game.

"Our heartfelt thoughts are with Glenn's wife Faith, his daughter Holly, his sons Will and Joe, and all of Glenn's family and friends at this difficult time."

Gary Neville worked with Roeder when he was a player in the England set-up and also paid tribute to his former coach.

Neville said: "I worked with him for a couple of seasons. He was a fantastic person, well respected by all the players and it's really sad news."

Don Hutchison, who played under Roeder at West Ham, paid an emotional tribute and shared a touching memory from their time working together.

Hutchison wrote on Twitter: "I'll never ever forget when my dad was passing away. The gaffa told me to get in my car to Newcastle and go see him quick.

"Glenn was on the phone with me for all 5 hours of my journey! Sleep well gaffa.

"My thoughts are with his family x"

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