Ex-Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare is diagnosed with cancer – as Foxes send ‘their strength and support’ to Claudio Ranieri’s former assistant who played a key role in 2016 Premier League title win

• Shakespeare had three spells as assistant manager at the King Power Stadium 
• The former coach was also appointed manager after Claudio Ranieri’s sacking 
• His most recent role came under Dean Smith as Leicester battled relegation 

Leicester have announced that former manager Craig Shakespeare has been diagnosed with cancer.

The Foxes said Shakespeare, 59, who also had three different spells as assistant manager at the club, is currently undergoing treatment.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the club said: ‘Former Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has revealed that he has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is currently receiving treatment.

‘Craig is very grateful for the kind well-wishes he has been receiving and for the privacy that he and his family have been shown during this challenging time.’

Former Walsall and West Brom midfielder Shakespeare has twice worked as assistant to former boss Nigel Pearson at Leicester and retained the role under Claudio Ranieri as Leicester won the Premier League title in 2016.

Former Leicester manager and assistant coach Craig Shakespeare has been diagnosed with cancer, the club has shared

Shakespeare was part of the backroom team of Claudio Ranieri during the Foxes’ league win

His most recent stint at the club saw him assist former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith (left)

Shakespeare was placed in temporary charge of the Foxes when Ranieri was sacked in 2017 and was then made permanent manager before being dismissed after four months in the role.

After spells as coach at Everton, Watford and Aston Villa, he returned to Leicester as Dean Smith’s assistant in 2023, but the pair departed after failing to save the club from relegation.

Leicester chief executive Susan Whelan said: ‘Everyone at the club sends their strength and support to Craig, his wife Karen and their children Elle and Jed.

‘They will all be in our thoughts and prayers as Craig progresses with his treatment, surrounded by the love befitting his place in the hearts of the Leicester City family and the wider game.’

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