Liverpool legend and ex-Real Madrid boss John Toshack rushed to intensive care after complications in Covid battle
LIVERPOOL legend and former Wales manager John Toshack is in intensive care after suffering complications in his battle against Covid.
Respected Basque daily El Diario Vasco says the 72-year-old’s condition has worsened in the last few hours after medics confirmed he was suffering “serious pneumonia.”
Toshack, who had a successful managerial career with the likes of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, is said to be at a hospital in Barcelona where he lives with his wife Maite.
There has not yet been any official comment from his family or the hospital.
Local reports said the Welshman, who began his playing career with hometown club Cardiff City before joining Liverpool in 1970 and going on to form a brilliant partnership with Kevin Keegan, was admitted to hospital on Monday after falling ill at the weekend.
He has reportedly been in intensive care ever since, with his oxygen levels dropping dangerously and complicating his health situation in the last few hours.
Toshack, due to celebrate his 73rd birthday in just under a month, is understood to have been fully vaccinated against Covid.
He had a back operation several months ago but his health until his admission to hospital intensive care had been described as good.
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The former footballer, son of a Scots-born carpenter who moved to Wales while serving in the RAF where he met and married Toshack’s mum Joan, has been on a ventilator since Saturday according to El Diario Vasco.
His wife is understood to be at the hospital where Toshack is said to be in intensive care, which has been named locally as the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, a teaching hospital founded in 1906 which is now part of Catalonia’s public health system.
Real Madrid have tweeted their support.
It said: "Real Madrid, its president and its Board of Directors would like to send a message of support and affection to our beloved John Benjamin Toshack, to whom we also wish a lot of encouragement and strength at this time."
Liverpool fans were starting to react to the news on social media on Sunday.
Irish Liverpool Reds said in a Twitter message: “We send best wishes to our former player John Toshack who has been taken to hospital.
Spanish language Liverpool FC site Esto Es Anfield wrote: “Our John Toshack, admitted in serious condition for Covid. He has been in the UCI in Barcelona for six days fighting against a severe pneumonia caused by Covid and since Saturday he needs mechanical ventilation.
“From here, all the strength for our great player.”
Toshack helped Liverpool to win two league titles, the European Cup, the UEFA Cup on two occasions, the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
His partnership with Keegan was so effective that the two were described as telepathic.
He led Swansea City to three promotions in four seasons after leaving Liverpool to join Swansea City as player-manager in March 1978.
His feat resulted in former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly describing him at the time as the ‘manager of the century.’
He enjoyed two spells as Wales manager after managing clubs including Sporting, Real Sociedad and Real Madrid.
He has a son called Jon Cameron, a former footballer and a Welsh professional coach, with former wife Susan.
Swansea City Football Club said on its official Twitter account: “The thoughts of everyone at Swansea City are with John Toshack and his family.
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“We are all with you. Keep fighting.”
A receptionist at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona said no one was available to speak to the press on Sunday.
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