President Michael D Higgins has issued a statement paying tribute to Jack Charlton after the former Ireland manager’s death was announced this morning.
Tributes have been pouring in since the news was confirmed just before 9am and President Higgins has now added his own, saying that Jack Charlton ‘leaves a legacy of outstanding leadership of a group of players of many diverse talents, which he moulded into the successful team that captured the imagination of the nation.’
Charlton was famed for love of fishing and Higgins went onto reference the legendary manager’s favourite activity which he enjoyed in various spots across Ireland. The full statement released by the President can be read below:
‘As President of Ireland, may I express my sympathies at the passing of Jack Charlton.
‘The news of the death of Jack Charlton will have been received with great sadness by those of us who took him to our hearts as he brought Ireland to some of our most celebrated moments in Irish sporting history.
‘He leaves a legacy of outstanding leadership of a group of players of many diverse talents, which he moulded into the successful team that captured the imagination of the nation. It was not just the success on the field of play, Jack’s endearing popularity also had much to do with the warmth and personality of the person who quickly became such a legendary sporting icon.
‘From a family that loved soccer, he had many connections with Ireland, which he chose for one of his quietest recreations -fishing.’
‘Sabina and I send our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and his legions of Irish fans.
'The news of the death of Jack Charlton will have been received with great sadness by those of us who took him to our hearts as he brought Ireland to some of our most celebrated moments in Irish sporting history.' https://t.co/ltKIIOOXTp
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) July 11, 2020
Former players such as Robbie Keane and John Aldridge have also been paying tribute to Jack Charlton, who was 85 years old when he passed away yesterday.
His legacy lives on.
