Everton’s most successful manager of the modern era is sadly no longer with us.
The club have confirmed the sad news that Howard Kendall, who led the club to the FA Cup in 1984 and the following season finished 13 points clear of second-placed Liverpool, to claim the league title, has died.
The club also went on to win the league title in the 1987/88 season while Kendall was also a success in Europe, having guided the Toffees to a European Cup Winners Cup title in 1985.
He has two further spells in charge of the club, leaving in 1987 and managing for a spell with Atletico Bilbao.
He returned to Everton in 1990 and in 1997, with his final spell in charge notable for helping the club only just avoid relegation on the final day.
Everton issued a brief statement on his passing a short while ago.
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Everton Giant Howard Kendall. pic.twitter.com/hKBuDeKraW
— Everton (@Everton) October 17, 2015
He was also a manager of Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and his final job was Ethnikos Piraeus in their 1998/99 campaign.
The Englishman became a person of interest for Irish football fans after the end of the Steve Staunton era when it was widely reported that he was interested in taking over as Republic of Ireland manager.
Kendall keen on Ireland job : Former Everton manager Howard Kendall has put himself forward for the vaca.. http://tinyurl.com/39bbqp
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 4, 2007
However Giovanni Trappatoni eventually took the job and he remained in retirement.
Tributes to the 69-year-old have been paid from throughout the football world
#LFC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of @Everton great Howard Kendall http://t.co/Jq5PwAxDNu
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 17, 2015
RIP Howard Kendall the greatest EFC manager there's been. He gave me some of my best football memories especially in the 84/85 season.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) October 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/fizzer18/status/655325540027617280
Very very sad news about Howard Kendall. total respect for him as a player manager and person. Fantastic character. Be sadly missed.A legend
— Sir Kenny Dalglish (@kennethdalglish) October 17, 2015
Manchester City sends its sincere condolences to the family of Howard Kendall after his passing
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/Robbie9Fowler/status/655331847711404032
TRIBUTE: All at #WHUFC are saddened by the passing of Howard Kendall, who played against us for @pnefc in the 1964 FA Cup final, aged 17 1/2
— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 17, 2015
Saddened to hear that Howard Kendall has passed away. Brilliantly managed the best club side I ever played for at Everton. Great bloke #RIP
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 17, 2015
