Egypt’s former manager Mike Smith dies aged 83

CAIRO-23 July 2021: The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced on Friday that the former Egyptian national team manager Mike Smith has passed away at the age of 83.

Smith was Egypt’s national team manager when the Pharaohs won the Africa Cup of Nations title at home in 1986.

Smith does not have a decorated career as a footballer, having played amateur football with Corinthian Casuals.

Despite his humble football career, he made his name in management, especially with the national teams.

In 1974, Smith became the first non-welsh manager to coach the Welsh national team and he led them to the last eight in the European Championship.

Smith started his mission with the Pharaohs in 1984 and he helped the Egyptian national team win the third AFCON title in the nation’s history after defeating Cameroon on penalties at Cairo International Stadium.

He is the only English coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations.