Kenny Jackett, the former Wales and Watford player who managed clubs including Wolves, Millwall, and Swansea, has died at the age of 64.
Playing Career
Jackett earned 31 caps for Wales during a playing career entirely at Watford, his local club. An accomplished left-footed defensive midfielder, he was part of Watford's most successful team under Graham Taylor. The side won promotion to the top flight in 1982, finished second in the First Division in 1983, and reached the FA Cup final in 1984, where they lost to Everton.
Managerial Career
After retiring, Jackett joined Watford's coaching staff and managed the team in the 1996-97 season, finishing 13th in the third tier. He later built a strong side at Swansea, leading them to promotion from League Two in 2005. He resigned in February 2007 and joined Millwall, guiding them to two consecutive League One playoff finals, winning the second in 2009. He also led Millwall to an FA Cup semi-final in 2012-13 before resigning.
In 2013, Jackett took over Wolves after their relegation to League One. He engineered a swift turnaround, winning the title with a then-record 103 points. A seventh-place finish in the Championship followed, but he was dismissed in 2016 after the club's takeover by Fosun International.
Brief spells at Rotherham and Portsmouth followed, with a four-year stay at Portsmouth and a less successful eight months at Leyton Orient, who dismissed him in February 2022. He served as director of football at Gillingham from January 2023 to November 2024, resigning on health grounds.
Tributes
Watford said: "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."
Wolves paid tribute, stating: "Kenny led the club to its incredible record-breaking League One title and laid the foundations for the club as we know it today. Jackett will forever be loved and remembered by everyone associated with Wolves for the incredible job he did in helping turn the club around after dropping from the Premier League into League One."
