Glenn Roeder (1955-2021)

Born in Woodford, Essex, on 13th December 1955, Roeder joined the Magpies as a player in 1983, having previously represented Leyton Orient and Queens Park Rangers, as well as Notts County on loan. A cultured defender, he was made captain and helped United to win promotion from the old Second Division in 1983/84.

Roeder made 217 senior appearances during six seasons at the club - scoring ten goals - before joining Watford, but returned to St. James' Park in 2005, initially to lead the Academy's coaching set-up. 

When Graeme Souness was sacked as manager in February 2006, Roeder was appointed caretaker manager, and under him the team finished seventh in the Premier League after a strong finish to the campaign.

He then became Newcastle United's permanent manager on in May 2006, and under him the Magpies won the Intertoto Cup and qualified for the UEFA Cup, but he resigned at the end of the 2006/07 season.

He was in charge of United as they beat Sunderland 4-1 at the Stadium of Light in Alan Shearer's final game as a player in April 2006, and masterminded a memorable 1-0 win in Palermo in November of the same year when he handed debuts to an 18-year-old Tim Krul and a 17-year-old Andy Carroll.

On Sunday, Krul wrote on Twitter: "So sad to hear the news that Glenn Roeder passed away. The man who believed in me and who gave me my @NUFC debut. Rest in peace."

Shearer wrote: "So sad. A fantastic man. RIP Glenn," while Michael Owen added: "So so sad to hear Glenn Roeder has passed away. Why do the best people leave us so early? I'm devastated. A true gentleman. He will be sorely missed."

Former team-mate Chris Waddle wrote: "So sorry to hear the sad news of Glenn Roeder he was great bloke who loved his family and football you will be missed RIP x," while Terry McDermott described him as "a great man to play alongside and work under when he became manager."

Shay Given wrote: "Sorry to hear the news that my old manager @NUFC has passed away Glenn Roeder, thoughts and prayers with his family and friends. Taken from us way too soon."

And Nigel Pearson wrote: "When I learned today the devastating, sad news that Glenn Roeder had lost his battle with a brain tumour it stopped me in my tracks. Not just because we shared fun on coaching courses. Not just because he asked me to be his assistant at Newcastle United where we had incredible fun together and success.

"Not just because he and his family, Faith, Holly, Will and Joe welcomed my family to Newcastle and made us feel included with their genuine warmth and affection. All of these things, and because he was a man with incredible integrity, humility, warmth, humour and humanity.

"A sensitive caring man who didn't always have as high a regard for himself as others had for him. He was loved and admired by those who worked with him. I loved working to 'Glenn time'. Nicky, Hannah & James send their love. I'll miss you, my friend x."

Everybody at Newcastle United - including several staff still with the club who worked alongside him during his time at St. James' Park - send their condolences to Glenn's wife, Faith, his daughter, Holly, his sons, Will and Joe, and all of his family and friends at this extremely sad time.

Carroll took to Instagram to write: "Rest in peace to a great man. Glenn gave me the power to push even harder to become a first team player. He gave me my debut which I will never ever forget and I just wish I could have the chance to thank him one more time."

And Steve Harper, who played under Roeder and is now a first team coach at United, tweeted: "RIP to an @NUFC great. Captain, manager, leader and an absolute gentleman too."