RIP Kenny Jackett: The football world reacts to the passing of a ‘man of great integrity’
Former clubs have paid tribute to a man who held great respect at every club he worked at during his career.
This past week saw the untimely passing of former Gillingham Director of Football Kenny Jackett. He was 64 years of age.
The former Welsh international, who played the majority of his career at Watford, ended up working for a host of clubs during his career, most notably at Millwall, where he spent six years at The Den, and at Portsmouth, where he spent four years on the South Coast.
Gillingham was his final club, with Jackett departing his Director of Football role for medical reasons. Sadly, 19 months on from that news, it was announced that Jackett had passed away, leaving a wife and two sons.
As a respected member of the football community, particularly across the EFL, a host of clubs paid tribute to Jackett following news of his passing, as his former teams, plus the League Managers’ Association, all released statements of condolence.
“Everyone at Gillingham FC is saddened to learn that Kenny has passed away. Kenny was a man of great integrity. In our early days in English football, his knowledge of the game, his vast contacts within it, and his willingness to share his wisdom with us was invaluable to us.
“He was loved and respected across the game, not only for his achievements, but the manner in which he carried out his work. He really is a legend of the EFL and Football in general. Our thoughts are with Kenny’s family at this sad time, but we hope the inevitable outpouring of love, affection and respect for Kenny will provide some comfort to them during this difficult time.”
Brad Galinson, Owner, Gillingham FC
“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.”
Watford FC
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... 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.”
Scott Duxbury, Chairman and CEO, Watford
“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.”
Millwall FC
“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.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers
“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.
“Swansea City sends its sincerest condolences to Kenny’s family and friends at this sad time, and the club will look to remember and pay tribute to Kenny when we are all together again at the start of the 2026-27 season.”
Swansea City
“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 benefitted from his guidance.
“He embodied everything we like to see in a manager, humility, professionalism and a deep care for his players and staff. 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. 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.”
Richard Bevan, LMA Chief Executive