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Smith managing Derby County in 2001. EMPICS Sport

Tributes pour in as ex-Premier League manager Jim Smith passes away

The 79-year-old had spells in charge of Derby County, Newcastle United, QPR, Portsmouth and Birmingham City.

FORMER DERBY COUNTY, Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth manager Jim Smith has died aged 79, English Championship club QPR said last night. 

Smith also guided Birmingham City into the old First Division and had several stints at Oxford.

Nicknamed ‘the Bald Eagle’, he also managed Newcastle from 1988-1991 before steering Portsmouth to a 1992 FA Cup semi-final where they took Liverpool to a replay before losing on penalties after extra-time.

Smith became a member of England’s League Managers’ Association’s Hall of Fame 1,000 club and served for a time as the organisation’s chief executive before returning to management and leading Derby into the Premier League.

“I have so many fond memories of Jim as a football manager but foremost as a friend,” said LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson.

“He was intelligent, passionate, determined, honest and always great fun to be with.”

Jim Smith QPR Twitter / QPR Twitter / QPR / QPR

Jim Smith Chris Powell Twitter / Chris Powell Twitter / Chris Powell / Chris Powell

© – AFP, 2019

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    Mute John McCabe
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    Dec 11th 2019, 1:31 PM

    Ah God bless the Bald Eagle. As a long suffering Derby fan Jim brought nothing but joy to the club and its supporters. Great character and wit. RIP

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    Mute Brian Moloney
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    Dec 11th 2019, 12:32 PM

    Put the pride in Pride Park in Derby.

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    Mute Gary Donlan
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    Dec 11th 2019, 1:27 PM

    Sry.. Saw it now

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    Mute Gary Donlan
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    Dec 11th 2019, 1:18 PM

    A young Irish footballer lost his life too yesterday. No article..?

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
    Favourite Shaun Gallagher
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    Dec 11th 2019, 1:19 PM

    @Gary Donlan: look about 4 articles down

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