Beloved former Dunfermline and Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has died at the age of 69 after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Calderwood passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning with devoted partner Yvonne Buchanan and her two daughters by his side. Calderwood, who also bossed Kilmarnock and Ross County, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2015.

Two years later he went public with his plight and spoke of his determination to continue enjoying life as much as possible.

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And he hoped that opening up would help raise awareness of the condition. The ex-Birmingham City star was, in his prime, one of Scottish football’s most colourful and popular characters.

Heartbroken Yvonne said today: “What can I say? I’ve lost the love of my life to a very cruel disease. We shared so many special moments together, especially with my children - Mark, Carla and Jolana - and we are all devastated.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported and loved him. Your kindness, care and unwavering support meant the world not only to him but to all of us. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the staff at Abbotsford House in Bearsden, Glasgow. We kindly ask for privacy during this incredibly sad time and thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.”

An iconic figure of the Scottish game, Calderwood spent his playing career south of the board during an eight-year spell with Birmingham City - where he also had a stint on loan at Cambridge United. He moved to the Netherlands where he turned out for Sparta Rotterdam, Willem II, Roda JC and Heracles before taking his first steps into the dugout.

Calderwood returned to manage Willem II before joining NEC Nijmegen - and eventually making his move into Scottish football with Dunfermline Athletic in 1999. He 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. He 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.

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.

A Dunfermline statement read: "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."

Aberdeen released a statement reading: "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 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."