Kenny Jackett passes away at 64: Football world pays tribute to Watford legend

Former Watford player and manager Jackett took his last breath at the age of 64, as announced by the club on Friday.

Taking to X, the Watford Football Club posted on its official account, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our former player and manager Kenny Jackett.”

“A true club legend and one of our own, Watford-born Kenny was instrumental in some of our greatest successes as a player before going on to serve as coach and then manager.”

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Kenny.”

While an exact specific medical cause of death has not been explicitly detailed in the initial public announcements by his family or clubs, it is understood that he had been dealing with health issues.

Jackett has left behind a remarkable legacy across the English Football league. He made 428 appearances in all competitions and scored 34 goals before a severe knee injury forced him to retire at the age of 28.

His career as a manager started at Watford and he coached other clubs as well, including Swansea City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portsmouth.

Jackett was an important part of Watford's impressive rise under Graham Taylor, helping the club achieve promotion to the First Division and finish as runners-up to Liverpool in 1983. He also started in the 1984 FA Cup Final against Everton.

Tributes pour in

The sport community has paid heartfelt tributes to the former Wolves, Millwall and Portsmouth boss.

​Watford chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury, "Kenny holds legend status here following his remarkable achievements as a ​player, a ​coach and ⁠a manager, and the club has truly lost one of its own.”

"On ​behalf of ⁠everyone at Watford FC, I send my sincere condolences to his wife Samantha and sons David and ⁠Ryan, ​the latter of whom is ​working with us today, building on the legacy his father left."

Millwall described him as "one of the Lions' greatest-ever managers", adding he was "a man who gave Lions fans moments to remember for life.”

Swansea City also issued a statement, "He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but our club and the game of football as a whole has been all the better for his presence. He will always have a special place in the hearts of Swansea fans, and his place in the history of our club is not in doubt.”

"Swansea City sends its sincerest condolences to Kenny's family and friends at this sad time, and the club will look to remember and pay tribute to Kenny when we are all together again at the start of the 2026-27 season."

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan praised Kenny for his position, professionalism and humility.

"From his first role at Watford to his final role at Gillingham, Kenny's work was characterised by an incredible sense of responsibility to his teams and to the game itself. Kenny is a huge loss to all that knew and loved him.”