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Celtic legend Wim Jansen passe...

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Celtic legend Wim Jansen passes away aged 75


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Wim Jansen has passed away at the age of 75. 

The Dutch legend is closely associated with Feyenoord, having made over 400 appearances for the club as a player.

Jansen also held a variety of coaching roles with the club, including a three-year stint as head coach.

But he is also fondly remembered by Celtic fans, having led the club to the 1997-98 league title as manager during his one and only season in charge.

It was a win that prevented Rangers from winning ten league titles in a row.

During his time at Parkhead, Jansen guided the club to the League Cup in the same year.

Significantly, he also signed Henrik Larsson, who would go on to become a club legend himself in scoring over 174 goals during seven years with Celtic.

Jansen confirmed in October last year that he had been living with dementia.

The news of his passing was confirmed by Feyenoord today.

"With the death of Wim Jansen, Feyenoord loses a special person and someone who was associated with the club all his life," a statement from the Dutch club read.

"Jansen served the club as a (youth) player, youth, assistant and head coach, technical director and advisor to the trainers of Feyenoord Academy."

As a player, Jansen racked up 65 caps with The Netherlands, scoring one.

He also had two spells at Ajax. His playing career concluded after the second of these, in 1982, at the age of 35.

Celtic paid tribute to their former manager via a statement this afternoon.

"Everyone at Celtic Park was saddened to hear of the sad passing of former manager Wim Jansen this morning at the age of 75.

"Wim, of course, will forever be remembered as the manager who arrived to stop the 10 in season 1997/98 by lifting the championship on the never-to-be-forgotten day of May 9, 1998 when goals from Henrik Larsson and Harald Brattbakk defeated St Johnstone 2-0.

"That came after the Dutchman, who had played against Celtic for Feyenoord in the 1970 European Cup final, had earlier also led the Hoops to League Cup glory by beating Dundee United in that season’s Ibrox final.

"Also forever remembered as the man who delivered Henrik Larsson to the club, it should also be remembered that Wim rebuilt the team that term with other signings such as the aforementioned Brattbakk, Paul Lambert, Marc Rieper, Craig Burley and Jonathan Gould among others, not only stopping the 10, but setting the wheels in motion for continued success at the advent of the following decade.

"All at Celtic Park offer their most sincere thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Wim Jansen at this sad time."

 


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