Former Everton manager Walter Smith has died at the age of 73.
Smith spent over three-and-a-half years in the Goodison Park hot seat between June 1998 and March 2002 after replacing Howard Kendall.
He joined the Blues from Rangers, whom he had guided to seven of nine successive league titles before that run was finally broken by Celtic in 1998.
The Lanark native oversaw some of the most tumultuous years in the club’s history when he succeeded Kendall following a final-day relegation escape.
Chairman Peter Johnson’s decision to approve the sale of Duncan Ferguson to Newcastle forced Smith to consider quitting just months into his new tenure.
Although the striker returned 18 months later, further first-team departures ensued including the homegrown duo of Francis Jeffers and Michael Ball.
Smith’s Everton reign still contained several highlights including a 1999 win over Liverpool at Anfield which had stood unrivalled until February this year.
Kevin Campbell scored the winning goal in that game and was one of several former players to reflect on the legacy that his former manager leaves behind.
“You were such a great man and I can’t thank you enough for bringing me to Everton,” he wrote on Twitter.
“A true football great.”
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, who had the onerous task of sacking Smith in 2002, paid an extensive and heartfelt tribute following Tuesday’s sad news.
He said: “He was one of the very best people I was lucky enough to meet in my lifetime in football.
“A man of loyalty, integrity and great talent. Strong when he needed to be but with a mischievous sense of humour that could ease even the most tense situations.
“Walter and I shared a lot together during the takeover years but among many, many examples of real friendship, one will always stick out.
“We had just… tearfully… agreed his farewell to Goodison, when he slapped his hands together and said ‘Okay Bill, who are we going to get to manage this great club of ours?’
“Even in a moment of real sadness, he refused to put himself first…one of the true attributes of a great leader.
“And that’s exactly what Walter Smith was. A great leader, and a great man.”