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Former Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood dies aged 69 after Alzheimer's battle

Jimmy Calderwood
-Credit:SNS Group


Former Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has passed away at the age of 69 following his battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Calderwood - an iconic figure of the Scottish game - spent his playing career in England where he spent eight years with Birmingham City before spells with several Dutch outfits later in his playing years.

He then made the move to the dugout and would manage Willem II before joining NEC Nijmegen, and eventually returning to Scotland in 1999 with Dunfermline Athletic.

READ MORE: Aberdeen to face Dunfermline in Scottish Cup fifth round clash at Pittodrie

READ MORE: 'Jimmy Calderwood was like a father to me at Aberdeen - he even gave advice on my wedding day'

The Scot led the Pars to the First Division title in his first season and promotion to the the top flight - as well as taking the club to fourth place during his tenure, writes the Daily Record.

Calderwood also reached the Scottish Cup final in 2004 and brought European football back to East End Park for the first time in 35 years.

His work in Fife caught the eye of Aberdeen in 2004 and he landed the job in the Pittodrie hot-seat, guiding the club back to Europe and the UEFA Cup in 2007.

Jimmy Calderwood famously led Aberdeen to the UEFA Cup last 32 in the 2007/08 season
Jimmy Calderwood famously led Aberdeen to the UEFA Cup last 32 in the 2007/08 season -Credit:SNS Group

Calderwood would oversee the Dons run to the last 32 - the first time the Pittodrie side had achieved that since 1986.

They drew heavyweights Bayern Munich and after a 2-2 draw in the Granite City eventually fell to a 7-3 aggregate defeat at the hands of the German giants.

Calderwood also had spells at Kilmarnock and Ross County before returning to the Netherlands to take charge of Go Ahead Eagles and De Graafschap.

In 2015, Calderwood was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and during his battle spoke openly about raising awareness of the illness.

He decided to go public about his condition in a bid to raise awareness, previously telling the BBC: "I can have a moan, as many of my players would say, but I’ve had a wonderful life in football. I’ve seen great places, travelled the world."

Aberdeen said in a statement: "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 Dunfermline statement added: "Everyone at Dunfermline Athletic is hugely saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Jimmy Calderwood.

"Jimmy, along with assistant Jimmy Nicholl, was at the helm of the club during one of its most successful periods in the club’s modern history.

"Promotion in his first season into the SPFL was followed by the highest-ever SPL position, finishing fourth in the 2003/04 season, during which season he also guided the club to a first Scottish Cup final since 1968 and a return to European football."

A Kilmarnock statement read: "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."

Ross County's club historian added: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former manager, Jimmy Calderwood. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."