The LMA is deeply saddened following the passing of former LMA member Joe Kinnear, who has died at the age of 77.
After Joe’s playing career, in which he played for Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and the Republic of Ireland, Joe moved into coaching and management in Asia, where he spent time in UAE, working with former Spurs teammate Dave Mackay, before moving on to Malaysia, India and Nepal.
Whilst he returned to England as Assistant Manager to Mackay at Doncaster Rovers, Joe’s first permanent managerial role in England came in 1992, when he was appointed as manager at Wimbledon after a period of working with the reserve team.
In 1994, Joe led Wimbledon to 6th place in the Premier League, an achievement that led to his peers voting him the LMA Manager of the Year for the 1993/94 season. Joe left Wimbledon after 7 years, in 1999.
His next managerial role came at Luton Town in 2001 where he had an instant impact, leading the club to promotion from the Third Division as runners-up only a few months after taking over as manager.
Two further managerial spells followed at Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, in addition to other integral roles within the game.
Paying tribute, LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson OBE said:
"Joe was such a gifted leader, whose technical knowledge, charisma and his ability to build a culture undoubtedly contributed to his many achievements as a manager. Leading Wimbledon to 6th place in the Premier League in 1994 was a truly outstanding accomplishment and rightly saw Joe recognised by his managerial peers as the LMA Manager of the Year 1993/94.
"My deepest condolences to Joe’s wife Bonnie and all of Joe’s family and friends at this sad time.
"LMA Chief Executive Richard Bevan OBE added: “Joe was a hugely talented footballer who played an important role in his Tottenham Hotspur team winning four titles, including the UEFA Cup for the first time in the club’s history in 1972.“Joe will be remembered as an elite manager who had the respect of fellow managers, coaches and players in the game throughout his career and was someone who never feared a challenge.
“We would like to share our deepest condolences with Joe’s wife Bonnie and his family at this difficult time.”
