Former Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare diagnosed with cancer

Former Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

The League Managers Association confirmed the news in a statement, announcing that the 59-year-old is currently receiving treatment for the disease.

"Former Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has revealed that he has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is currently receiving treatment," read the LMA statement.

"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."

Shakespeare has spent the vast majority of his post-playing career as an assistant boss, most notably with Leicester.

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

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... pic.twitter.com/E78rXl51uq

— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 12, 2023

"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."

Shakespeare was second in command to Claudio Ranieri when the Foxes memorably won the Premier League title against all odds in 2015-16.

The former Walsall, West Bromwich Albion and Grimsby Town midfielder then took over the reins when Ranieri was sacked, earning his first permanent managerial job following a successful spell in interim charge which included a 3-1 win over Liverpool during his first match.

Shakespeare became the first manager in Premier League history to see his side score three goals in each of his first three matches in charge, and the first English manager to oversee four wins from his first four Premier League games.

However, poor performances at the start of the 2016-17 season saw him sacked after only eight months at the helm, during which time he won 11 and lost nine of his 26 matches.

Shakespeare has also spent time as a coach with England and Everton as well as assistant roles at Hull City, Watford, Aston Villa, Norwich City and Leicester.

The Englishman most recently assisted Dean Smith at Leicester - his third separate spell with the Foxes - before leaving along with the manager during the summer following relegation from the Premier League.