This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
Former English football manager Jim Smith, who handled several top-tier clubs including Portsmouth, QPR, and Derby County, has passed away at the age of 79 after a long battle with illness.
According to reports, Smith died on Tuesday, December 10, leaving behind a legacy of his remarkable coaching career.
Before his passing, Smith had last coached the Oxford Football side as a caretaker boss before retiring from coaching in 2009.
During his illustrious career, Smith played for several clubs, including Boston United, Halifax, and Lincoln, before transitioning to coaching.
As a manager, Smith was in charge of 1,500 games across nine clubs in the English Leagues, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
His passing comes just days after the English football fraternity mourned the loss of former Aston Villa, Birmingham City, and West Brom manager Ron Saunders, who died at the age of 87.
