Watford legend and former Wales international Kenny Jackett has died at the age of 64.
Watford-born Jackett made 428 appearances for his hometown side during a one-club playing career that also saw him win 31 caps.
Forced to retire at the age of 28, following persistent knee injuries, he began a long coaching career which included spells in charge at Watford, Swansea City, Millwall, Wolves, Rotherham, Portsmouth and Leyton Orient.
Jackett became director of football at Gillingham in 2022, but stood down from his role for medical reasons in November 2024.
A left-sided defender or midfielder, Jackett was part of the Watford side who won promotion to the top flight under Graham Taylor, and played for the Hornets in the 1984 FA Cup final as they were beaten by Everton.
As a manager, he led Swansea to promotion from the fourth tier in 2004-05, their Welsh club’s final season at their former Vetch Field home, and masterminded a Football League Trophy triumph in 2006.
He won the League One play-offs with Millwall in 2010 and the third-tier title at Wolves four years later, amassing a then-record 103 points, while he won the Checkatrade Trophy at Portsmouth in 2018-19.
League Managers Association (LMA) chief executive Richard Bevan said: “Kenny stands as one of the most respected managers to have plied their trade in the EFL, a hugely capable leader whose work across four decades has left a lasting influence on the many players, coaches and colleagues who benefited from his guidance.”
“Kenny is a huge loss to all that knew and loved him. Our thoughts are with his wife Samantha, sons David and Ryan, and all of his family and friends, who join us in mourning.”
Though born in England, Jackett was eligible for Wales through his father Frank, who also played for Watford.
When injury brought a premature end to his playing career in 1990, he remained at Vicarage Road and became a coach before being appointed manager in 1996 when Taylor became director of football.
In a statement, Watford described him as “a local lad who quite simply lived and breathed the Hornets, Jackett was a homegrown star who played an instrumental part in some of our greatest successes”.
Watford chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury said: “There is a deep and profound sense of loss at the football club following the sad news Kenny Jackett has passed away.
“Kenny holds legend status here following his remarkable achievements as a player, a coach and a manager, and the club has truly lost one of its own.”
Swansea, where he spent three years, said: “He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but our club and the game of football as a whole has been all the better for his presence.
“He will always have a special place in the hearts of Swansea fans, and his place in the history of our club is not in doubt.”
Millwall – where he spent six years, winning the 2010 League One play-off final against Swindon Town, said: “Kenny Jackett will forever go down as one of Millwall Football Club’s greatest managers and a man who gave Lions fans moments to remember for life.”
Wolves said they were “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of iconic former manager Kenny Jackett”.
He spent three years at Molineux after they dropped into the third tier, winning promotion back to the Championship at his first attempt.
He then had spells in charge at Rotherham, Portsmouth and Leyton Orient before moving into senior technical and strategic roles, including the spell as director of football at Gillingham.
“He embodied everything we like to see in a manager, humility, professionalism and a deep care for his players and staff,” added Bevan.
“He improved every club he served and did so with quiet dignity throughout his career. From his first role at Watford to his final role at Gillingham, Kenny’s work was characterised by an incredible sense of responsibility to his teams and to the game itself.”
