Kenny Jackett, the former manager of Watford, Swansea City, Millwall, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as a Wales international footballer, has passed away at the age of 64.
Born in Watford, Jackett made over 300 appearances for his local club during a dedicated playing career that also saw him earn 31 caps for Wales.
Due to ongoing knee injuries, he was forced to retire at the age of 28, which led him to embark on a lengthy coaching career that included leadership roles at Rotherham United, Portsmouth, and Leyton Orient.
In 2022, Jackett became the director of football at Gillingham but had to step down for health reasons in November 2024.
Operating primarily as a left-sided defender or midfielder, Jackett was part of the Watford team that achieved promotion to the top division under Graham Taylor and played in the 1984 FA Cup final, where they were defeated by Everton.
As a manager, he guided Swansea to promotion from the fourth tier in the 2004-05 season, which was also their final season at Vetch Field, and achieved victory in the Football League Trophy in 2006.
He led Millwall to victory in the 2010 League One play-offs and claimed the third-tier title with Wolves four years later, setting a then-record of 103 points, while he also won the Checkatrade Trophy at Portsmouth in the 2018-19 season.
Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers Association (LMA), remarked, “Kenny was one of the most respected managers in the EFL, a truly capable leader whose contributions over four decades have had a lasting impact on numerous players, coaches, and colleagues fortunate enough to have worked with him.”
“His passing is a significant loss to all who knew and loved him. Our thoughts are with his wife Samantha, sons David and Ryan, and all of his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Though he was born in England, Jackett had Welsh eligibility through his father, Frank, who also played for Watford.
After an injury ended his playing career prematurely in 1990, he remained with Watford as a coach before being appointed manager in 1996 when Taylor assumed the role of director of football.
Watford described him in a statement as “a local lad who lived and breathed the Hornets.” Jackett was recognized as a homegrown talent integral to the club’s greatest achievements.
Watford’s chairman and chief executive, Scott Duxbury, expressed, “The club is experiencing a profound sense of loss with Kenny Jackett’s passing. He achieved legendary status here for his remarkable contributions as a player, coach, and manager, and once again, we have lost one of our own.”
Swansea, where he spent three years, shared that he would be “deeply missed by all who knew him,” emphasizing that both the club and the sport of football benefited from his presence and legacy.
Millwall, where he spent six years and led the team to the 2010 League One play-off win against Swindon Town, stated, “Kenny Jackett will always be remembered as one of Millwall’s greatest managers, creating unforgettable moments for Lions fans.”
Wolves expressed sadness over the loss of their iconic former manager, noting his successful three-year tenure at Molineux after they fell to the third tier, where he won promotion back to the Championship on his first attempt.
Following his managerial stints, he took on senior technical and strategic roles, including his time as director of football at Gillingham.
Bevan added, “Kenny exemplified the qualities we admire in a manager: humility, professionalism, and a genuine care for his players and staff. He enhanced every club he managed and did so with quiet dignity, embodying a profound sense of responsibility to his teams and the sport throughout his career.”