– I’m completely crushed.
That’s what Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson says club websites after the death of coach icon Walter Smith. Smith had struggled with illness for several months before he recently passed away.
The former Scotland, Rangers and Everton boss died at the age of 73. He was an assistant to Ferguson at Manchester United and for Scotland’s national team.
– He was only briefly at Manchester United, but he was fantastic. When I lost Carlos Queiroz to Real Madrid, I needed a new assistant. Then I called Walter, and he helped us win the FA Cup. He made wonderful contact with people because he was a good listener. It was one of his foremost qualities, says Ferguson.
Terribly sad news about Walter Smith . ????❤️
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) October 26, 2021
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– He listened and showed interest in people, and he helped everyone he could. It is a great loss for the sport and for everyone who knew him, says Ferguson.
Smith won the league ten times with Rangers, and he also led the club to a number of cup titles and to the final of the Uefa Cup in 2008. He also coached Everton for four seasons, and he lifted Scotland 70 places in the Fifa rankings as national team manager there from 2004 to 2007.
– It is almost impossible to understand what Walter meant to each and every one of us in Rangers. He was everything a “Ranger” should be. I spoke to Walter as recently as last weekend. Even as he battled the disease, he was able to provide advice and support. I’m personally grateful for that, says Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
– There are serious scenes for Solskjær
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