Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood dies aged 69
Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood has died aged 69.
The Glasgow-born coach passed away having battled early-onset dementia. Calderwood revealed he had been diagnosed with the condition in 2017 in a bid to raise awareness of Alzheimer's and dementia.
Calderwood began his playing career at Glasgow Amateurs as a boy before making the move to Birmingham City in 1971 to begin his professional career.
The midfielder would play 145 times for the club before moving to the Netherlands - after a loan spell with Cambridge United - to play for Sparta Rotterdam, Willem II, Roda JC and Heracles.
Jimmy Calderwood celebrates as Dunfermline manager (Image: SNS) Calderwood then transitioned into management while in the Netherlands as he first coached former club Willem II in 1996. He would go on to lead NEC Nijmegen before returning to Scotland.
The Dunfermline hero achieved great success after being appointed manager at East End Park. In one of the most successful periods in modern history for the club, Calderwood and assistant Jimmy Nicholl led the club to promotion then achieving a highest-ever SPL position of fourth in 2003/04.
In the same season, Calderwood guided Dunfermline to a first Scottish Cup final and secured qualification to European football.
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Calderwood would then take over at Aberdeen for a five-year spell at Pittodrie. In December 2007, Calderwood helped Aberdeen reach the last 32 of a European competition for the first time since 1986. His side toppled Copenhagen 4-0 at Pittodrie before earning a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the next round.
The legendary Scottish manager would go on to manage Kilmarnock and Ross County in Scotland before a return to the Netherlands.
He spent a short period at Go Ahead Eagles before managing De Graafschap in his final role in the dugout.
A Dunfermline statement read: "Everyone at Dunfermline Athletic is hugely saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Jimmy Calderwood.
Dunfermline Athletic chairman & CEO David Cook said: “On behalf of everyone at Dunfermline Athletic, we are all shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy Calderwood.
"I've had a wonderful life in football" ❤️
Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline Athletic manager Jimmy Calderwood has died aged 69.
Calderwood was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2017, three years after his final managerial post with Dutch side De Graafschap. pic.twitter.com/qFSOBsDxLl— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) January 19, 2025
"Jimmy constructed a fantastic squad of players in the early 2000s that had Pars fans on the edge of their seats with his bold attacking style of football.
"He brought some magnificent moments to this club, none more so than helping us reach the Scottish Cup Final in 2004. The sea of black and white at Hampden was testament to the force he had created.
"Our deepest condolences go to Jimmy’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
A post on the official Aberdeen X account read: "Everyone at Aberdeen FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former manager Jimmy Calderwood.
"The thoughts of all at the club are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
A Kilmarnock statement added: "Everyone at Kilmarnock Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Jimmy Calderwood.
"Our thoughts are with Jimmy’s family and friends at this time."
A Ross County statement read: "Everyone at Ross County FC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former manager, Jimmy Calderwood.
"The thoughts of all at the club are with Jimmy’s family and friends at this difficult time."
