Former Rotherham United, Millwall and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Kenny Jackett dies aged 64
FORMER Rotherham United manager Kenny Jackett has died at the age of 64.
In his playing career, Jackett was a key part of the Watford story under Graham Taylor in the 1980s and made over 300 appearances for his hometown club.
He was also capped 31 times by Wales, who he was eligible to represent through his Welsh-born father. He retired from playing at the age of 28 due to injury.
Jackett went onto forge a strong career in management and was a widely-respected figure across the game.
His spell with the Millers was a very short one and lasted just 39 days in 2016.
With the ink barely dried on a three-year deal that he signed in mid-autumn, Jackett resigned just before the outset of winter.
Graciously at the time, he accepted the blame for his move to Rotherham not working out and said that he was happy to take ‘full responsibility’ for what he felt to be a wrong decision on his part in heading to the Millers.
Jackett enjoyed plenty of success in the lower divisions and led Swansea City to promotion from the fourth tier in 2004-05, the 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, while he won the Checkatrade Trophy at Portsmouth in 2018-19.
Jackett also had a spell in charge of Leyton Orient.
He later became director of football at Gillingham in 2022, but stood down from his role for medical reasons in November 2024.
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."