Former Premier League manager Aidy Boothroyd, 54, reveals secret battle with Parkinson’s in emotional video message
FORMER Premier League boss Aidy Boothroyd has opened up on his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s. Boothroyd, 54, released an emotional video and statement through the League Managers Association – revealing he has quietly been battling the disease for three years. GettyAidy Boothroyd has revealed that he is battling Parkinson’s[/caption] LMABoothroyd discussed his diagnosis in an emotional video[/caption] A statement read: “Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. “The news came as a massive shock to me, following what I expected to be my routine LMA Annual Health Assessment. “It has taken me time to feel ready to share my diagnosis, and I have found it difficult not being completely open with people. “Personally, my passion and love for coaching is as strong as ever, I am focusing on keeping physically fit, which is key to slowing down the progression of Parkinson’s. “I am ready to start the next chapter in my life. I would like to thank the LMA and Parkinson’s UK for their support.” Boothroyd, who previously spent five years as head coach of the England U21 side, revealed that he was diagnosed in November 2021. LMA CEO Richard Bevan said: “Aidy has displayed incredible positivity, resolve and determination since his Parkinson’s diagnosis three years ago. “His passion for football and people drives him on and he continues to play an active role in the LMA, as an almost ever-present senior member at our events and educational sessions. Aidy Boothroyd's career A brief look into the coaching career of Aidy Boothroyd... 1. WatfordDates Managed: March 2005 – November 2008 Games Played: 184 Games Won: 75 Boothroyd took over Watford in March 2005 and led them to promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs in 2006. However, they were relegated after one season in the top flight. He left the club in November 2008. 2. Colchester UnitedDates Managed: September 2009 – May 2010 Games Played: 46 Games Won: 14 Boothroyd joined Colchester United in League One and managed them for less than a season. He left the club in May 2010 to take over at Coventry City. 3. Coventry CityDates Managed: June 2010 – March 2011 Games Played: 38 Games Won: 10 Boothroyd managed Coventry City in the Championship but was let go in March 2011. 4. Northampton TownDates Managed: November 2011 – January 2014 Games Played: 106 Games Won: 38 Boothroyd took charge of Northampton Town in League Two. He led them to the play-off final in the 2012–13 season. 5. England U20sDates Managed: February 2015 – August 2016 Games Played: 19 Games Won: 8 Boothroyd transitioned to international management with the England U20 team, working with young talent but achieving mixed results during his tenure. 6. England U21sDates Managed: September 2016 – June 2021 Games Played: 56 Games Won: 34 Boothroyd became manager of England’s U21 team, guiding them to the semi-finals of the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. However, his tenure ended in 2021 after poor performances in the 2021 tournament. Summary of Managerial Career Stats: Total Games Played: 449 Total Games Won: 179 “We care deeply for all our members, and Aidy’s attitude since his diagnosis has been an inspiration to our entire team as we continue to support him and his family throughout this unexpected and challenging time.” Boothroyd has been without a managerial role since leaving Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC in 2023. His coaching career has seen him hold roles with Watford, Colchester, Coventry and Northampton Town. While his time with the FA saw him manage the Young Lions across U19, U20 and U21 levels. Everything you need to know about Parkinson’s Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, meaning that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. It affects around 153,000 people in the UK. People with Parkinson’s don’t have enough of the chemical dopamine because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working. This can cause a range of more than 40 symptoms, but the three main ones are: Tremor (shaking) Slow movement Rigidity (muscle stiffness) Other common signs include: Mild memory and thinking problems Trouble sleeping Issues with balance Pain Anxiety and depression Shuffling walk with very small steps Difficulty making facial expressions Loss of sense of smell Problems peeing Constipation The four main ways of managing Parkinson’s include medication, staying active, exploring occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech and language therapy, and monitoring symptoms. Source: Parkinson’s UK and NHS MORE TO FOLLOW… THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, box
FORMER Premier League boss Aidy Boothroyd has opened up on his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s.
Boothroyd, 54, released an emotional video and statement through the League Managers Association – revealing he has quietly been battling the disease for three years.
A statement read: “Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
“The news came as a massive shock to me, following what I expected to be my routine LMA Annual Health Assessment.
“It has taken me time to feel ready to share my diagnosis, and I have found it difficult not being completely open with people.
“Personally, my passion and love for coaching is as strong as ever, I am focusing on keeping physically fit, which is key to slowing down the progression of Parkinson’s.
“I am ready to start the next chapter in my life. I would like to thank the LMA and Parkinson’s UK for their support.”
Boothroyd, who previously spent five years as head coach of the England U21 side, revealed that he was diagnosed in November 2021.
LMA CEO Richard Bevan said: “Aidy has displayed incredible positivity, resolve and determination since his Parkinson’s diagnosis three years ago.
“His passion for football and people drives him on and he continues to play an active role in the LMA, as an almost ever-present senior member at our events and educational sessions.
Aidy Boothroyd's career
A brief look into the coaching career of Aidy Boothroyd...
1. Watford
Dates Managed: March 2005 – November 2008
- Games Played: 184
- Games Won: 75
- Boothroyd took over Watford in March 2005 and led them to promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs in 2006. However, they were relegated after one season in the top flight. He left the club in November 2008.
2. Colchester United
Dates Managed: September 2009 – May 2010
- Games Played: 46
- Games Won: 14
- Boothroyd joined Colchester United in League One and managed them for less than a season. He left the club in May 2010 to take over at Coventry City.
3. Coventry City
Dates Managed: June 2010 – March 2011
- Games Played: 38
- Games Won: 10
- Boothroyd managed Coventry City in the Championship but was let go in March 2011.
4. Northampton Town
Dates Managed: November 2011 – January 2014
- Games Played: 106
- Games Won: 38
- Boothroyd took charge of Northampton Town in League Two. He led them to the play-off final in the 2012–13 season.
5. England U20s
Dates Managed: February 2015 – August 2016
- Games Played: 19
- Games Won: 8
- Boothroyd transitioned to international management with the England U20 team, working with young talent but achieving mixed results during his tenure.
6. England U21s
Dates Managed: September 2016 – June 2021
- Games Played: 56
- Games Won: 34
- Boothroyd became manager of England’s U21 team, guiding them to the semi-finals of the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. However, his tenure ended in 2021 after poor performances in the 2021 tournament.
Summary of Managerial Career Stats:
- Total Games Played: 449
- Total Games Won: 179
“We care deeply for all our members, and Aidy’s attitude since his diagnosis has been an inspiration to our entire team as we continue to support him and his family throughout this unexpected and challenging time.”
Boothroyd has been without a managerial role since leaving Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC in 2023.
His coaching career has seen him hold roles with Watford, Colchester, Coventry and Northampton Town.
While his time with the FA saw him manage the Young Lions across U19, U20 and U21 levels.
Everything you need to know about Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, meaning that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time.
It affects around 153,000 people in the UK.
People with Parkinson’s don’t have enough of the chemical dopamine because some of the nerve cells that make it have stopped working.
This can cause a range of more than 40 symptoms, but the three main ones are:
- Tremor (shaking)
- Slow movement
- Rigidity (muscle stiffness)
Other common signs include:
- Mild memory and thinking problems
- Trouble sleeping
- Issues with balance
- Pain
- Anxiety and depression
- Shuffling walk with very small steps
- Difficulty making facial expressions
- Loss of sense of smell
- Problems peeing
- Constipation
The four main ways of managing Parkinson’s include medication, staying active, exploring occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech and language therapy, and monitoring symptoms.
Source: Parkinson’s UK and NHS
MORE TO FOLLOW…
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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