John Toshack's Wife Responds to Son's Dementia Diagnosis Revelation
The wife of Welsh football icon John Toshack has spoken out after their son publicly revealed his father's dementia diagnosis. Mai Angulo, Toshack's Spanish wife, expressed surprise at the comments made by Cameron Toshack, who is an assistant manager at Buriram United in Thailand.
Surprise at Public Remarks
Mai Angulo told Spanish newspaper El Diario Vasco that she was "very surprised" by Cameron's recent statements about his father's condition. She maintained that "things are very calm" regarding the 77-year-old's health situation and revealed that Cameron hasn't visited his father for two years, only speaking to him occasionally by phone.
The couple resides in a farmhouse in Girona, Spain, where Toshack previously managed several top clubs including Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. Mai described their daily life as peaceful, with Toshack enjoying gardening and pool time despite his health challenges.
Health Challenges and Recovery
Toshack has faced significant health issues in recent years, most notably a 2022 hospitalization where he spent time in intensive care battling pneumonia resulting from Covid-19 complications. Mai explained that the illness left "very serious aftereffects, both physical and mental" that affected his mobility and memory.
"We went through some terrible times, with John sedated in the ICU, not knowing how he would progress," she recalled. "He always says he was out of this world for more than 10 days, and that when, thank God, he came back, he didn't understand anything."
Despite these challenges, Mai emphasized that Toshack has been working on rehabilitation and "gradually improved" through effort. She noted they recently celebrated his 77th birthday, and he was "very happy" during the occasion.
Family Background and Career Legacy
Cameron Toshack is the football legend's son from his previous marriage to Susan Bann, which ended in 2013 after 44 years together. The couple had married in 1969 when both were 20 years old.
John Toshack's football career is legendary, beginning with his move to Liverpool in 1970 for £100,000 where he scored 96 goals for the Reds. He later became player-manager at Swansea City, overseeing three promotions in four seasons during his tenure.
After retiring as a player in 1984, Toshack embarked on a remarkable managerial career that included:
- Stints at top European clubs including Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Sporting CP
- Winning the La Liga title with Real Madrid in 1990
- Two spells as Wales national team manager
- Developing players like Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, and Joe Allen
His nomadic managerial career concluded in 2018 after 14 different roles spanning 40 years, finishing with a brief period in charge of Iranian side Tractor.
Current Condition and Memory
In his comments to The Mail, Cameron Toshack described his father's condition as "a terrible disease" that particularly affects short-term memory. He noted that while his father might forget recent conversations, his memory of football details from his playing and managerial days remains remarkably clear.
"If I ask him about the Liverpool days, or Real Sociedad or Real Madrid, the detail is amazing," Cameron explained. "The other day he was telling me about a Real Madrid game against Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan and exactly how he tweaked his midfield to deal with Marco van Basten."
Despite the dementia diagnosis, Cameron noted that his father still offers valuable football advice based on his extensive experience, demonstrating that his tactical understanding remains intact even as his short-term memory falters.
Last year, Toshack made a rare public appearance to receive the Diamond and Gold badge from Real Sociedad, the highest honour the La Liga club can award, marking a special moment in his ongoing health journey.
