LEICESTER CITY begin the 2024/25 Premier League season tonight as they take on Tottenham.
And both sets of players are set to wear black armbands in the game at the King Power.
Why are Leicester and Tottenham players wearing black armbands?
Leicester and Tottenham players are wearing black armbands during tonight’s match in tribute to former Foxes manager Craig Shakespeare, who sadly passed away at the beginning of August aged 60.
Shakespeare’s family released the following statement confirming the heartbreaking news, it read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Craig Shakespeare, ‘SHAKEY’.
“Craig passed away peacefully this morning at home surrounded by his family.
“Whilst the family are immensely proud of his footballing achievements as both a player and a coach, to us, his family, he will always primarily be a loving and loved husband, father, son, brother and uncle.
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“The loss is devastating to us all and we would ask that privacy be given at this incredibly difficult time as we try to come to terms with, and mourn, the loss of a very special person.”
Shakespeare played a pivotal part as Claudio Ranieri’s assistant in Leicester’s fairytale Premier League winning season in 2016.
He later replaced Ranieri as the club’s manager in February 2017 and took charge of 24 games.
Shakespeare also worked for the likes of West Brom, Hull, Everton, Watford, Aston Villa and Norwich and had a spell as England assistant boss in 2016.
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Shakespeare’s career in numbers
A look into Craig Shakespeare’s career…
Playing Career
1981-1989: Walsall (240 apps, 45 goals)
1989-1990: Sheffield Wednesday (17 apps, 1 goal)
1990-1993: West Brom (112 apps, 12 goals)
1993-1997: Grimsby Town (106 apps, 10 goals)
1997-1998: Scunthorpe United (4 apps, 0 goals)
1998: Telford United (1 app, 1 goal)
2000: Hednesford Town (1 app, 0 goals)
Coaching Career
2006: West Brom (caretaker manager)
2008-2010: Leicester City (assistant)
2010-2011: Hull City (assistant)
2011-2017: Leicester City (assistant)
2017: Leicester City (manager)
2019-2020: Watford (assistant)
2020-2021: Aston Villa (assistant)
2021-2022: Norwich City (assistant)
2023: Leicester City
Leicester confirmed plans to honour the life of Shakespeare ahead of their Premier League opener against Tottenham on Monday, August 19.
As well as the players wearing black armbands, the club have asked fans to take to their seats early for a minute’s applause before kick-off.
Representatives from both Leicester and Tottenham will lay flowers in the dugouts ahead of the Premier League fixture.
A book of condolence will be in the Foxes Fanstore from 3pm on Monday, August 19 for those who wish to leave their own words of tribute.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
