RIP
Wim Jansen dead at 75: Ex-Celtic manager passes away after dementia battle as football world pays tribute
FORMER Celtic boss Wim Jansen has passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with dementia.
Feyenoord announced the news of his death in a statement on their this morning.
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It read: "Feyenoord has learned with great sadness of the death of Wim Jansen, one of the greatest football players who has ever played for the club. He died Tuesday at the age of 75.
"In Wim Jansen's biography 'Mastermind', which was published in October last year, it became clear that he was suffering from dementia.
"Although the intense sadness of course predominates, Jansen's family is at the same time relieved that he has been spared a long agony.
"The family is pleased that their Wim has been able to keep control until the last moment, they have informed the club."
Jansen spent just one season in charge of Celtic between 1997 and 1998 but that was all he needed to achieve the status of club legend as he led the Hoops to their first title in ten years.
And the triumph was made all the better by the fact that it ended Rangers' bid for a tenth successive league victory.
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Jansen also masterminded Celtic's League Cup win that season and was the man who brought Henrik Larsson to Scottish football.
But he ultimately left Parkhead just days after lifting the league trophy after struggling to work with then general manager Jock Brown.
Celtic were to be Jansen's final job as a manager after he had previously spent time in charge of his beloved Feyenoord.
However, he did go on to spend the 2008-09 campaign as assistant to Gertjan Verbeek when he was at the helm of the Dutch giants.
Since the news of his death was announced, the world of football has come together to pay tribute to Jansen.
Simon Donnelly, who played under the Dutchman at Celtic, said: "Sad sad news, Wim Jansen."
Celtic hero Chris Sutton tweeted: "Really sad news about Wim Jansen passing away.
"Thoughts and prayers go out to the Jansen family. Wim will always be a Celtic legend."
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Sutton's former Hoops team-mate John Hartson commented: "Sad news hearing Wim Jansen has passed away.
"Won the League Cup at Celtic, stopped ten in a row and brought the brilliant Henrik Larsson to the club. Thoughts are with the Jansen family."
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