Manchester United and England legend, Wayne Rooney has joined millions of football fans across the world, to pay a tribute to Walter Smith, who was a former Everton, Rangers and Scotland manager.
Wayne Rooney who expressed his sadness to the news of the death of the former Everton manager, posted a photo of him signing what we believe was his first contract with Everton with other staff and Walter Smith present at the ceremony.
Posting the photo, Wayne Rooney who is having serious issues with club Derby, captioned the photo paying his condolences to his family. He said:
“Devasted to hear the sad news about Walter Smith. Great man and a legend of the game. Condolences go out to all his family and friends. RIP Walter,” he said.
Walter Smith: The Former Everton Manager Died At 73:
The Scot, whose death was reported in various media outlets from the United Kingdom on Tuesday, died at the age of 73.
Rangers chairman Douglas Park confirmed the news, sending on his best wishes to Smith’s family and stressing that their iconic former head coach would be ‘sorely missed’.
‘On behalf of the Rangers board of directors, staff and players, I convey my deep condolences to the Smith family. Walter leaves behind a wife, children and grandchildren, all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time,’ Park said in a statement.
‘It is almost impossible to encapsulate what Walter meant to every one of us at Rangers. He embodied everything that a Ranger should be. His character and leadership was second to none, and will live long in the memory of everyone he worked with during his two terms as first team manager.
‘I spoke with Walter as recently as last weekend. Even when he was battling illness, he was still able to provide advice and support. For that, I am personally grateful. I know that he continued also to maintain dialogue with senior members of staff, including our manager, Steven Gerrard.
‘Walter will be sorely missed by all of us at Rangers.
‘Winning 10 top-flight titles as manager, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups, as well as leading his club to the UEFA Cup Final in 2008, he will be remembered by the football community across the world. His spells as Scotland manager as well as managing in the English Premier League underlined his credentials as one of the great modern day football managers.
‘However, for Rangers supporters, he was much more than just a football manager. Walter was a friend to many, a leader, an ambassador and most of all a legend.’
Walter Smith represented Dundee United and Dumbarton as a defender during his playing days, but is perhaps best remembered for his success as a manager across two trophy-laden spells at Ibrox.
In total, Smith won ten league titles in charge of Rangers, while also steering the club to five Scottish Cups, six Scottish League Cups and the 2008 Uefa Cup final.
Smith called time on his playing career after a second stint with Dundee in 1980 while he was also managing the Scotland Under-18 side.
He went on to lead the Scotland U21s for four years before taking his first permanent position in club football with Rangers – the team he had supported since childhood – in 1991.
When Smith departed Rangers for a second time in 2011, he left as the club’s second most successful boss of all time behind Bill Struth.
Between managing Everton and Scotland’s national team, Smith worked as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United.
During Smith’s brief spell at Old Trafford, the Red Devils beat Millwall to lift the 2004 FA Cup thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy in Cardiff.
Rangers confirmed back in March that Smith was recovering in hospital after undergoing an operation.