Former Stoke City manager Gudjon Thordarson dies aged 71.

Stoke City have announced the death of former manager Gudjon Thordarson at the age of 71, prompting tributes from clubs, former players and supporters. The Potters confirmed the sad news on Saturday afternoon, remembering a manager whose time in charge delivered important moments in the club’s history.

In an official statement, Stoke said they were deeply saddened by the passing of the manager who guided the team to the 2000 Auto Windscreen Shield and secured promotion during the 2001/02 season. The Icelandic coach arrived in the Potteries in 1999 after enjoying a successful spell with his country’s national team.

Thordarson spent three and a half years at the club, taking charge of Stoke on more than 150 occasions at the stadium then known as the Britannia Stadium.

Gudjon Thordarson has died(Image: Getty Images Sport)

Wembley success and painful play-off disappointments

One of Thordarson’s earliest major achievements came just five months after his appointment. Stoke reached the Auto Windscreens Shield final, where goals from Graham Kavanagh and Peter Thorne secured a 2-1 victory over Bristol City at Wembley. More than 75,000 spectators watched the match at the national stadium as the Potters celebrated lifting the trophy.

However, the success was followed by disappointment. A month after the Wembley triumph, Stoke suffered a painful defeat in the second leg of their play-off semi-final against Gillingham. The result ended hopes of completing a memorable first-season double.

The following campaign brought another difficult experience for Thordarson and his players. In 2000/01, Walsall eliminated Stoke at the semi-final stage of the promotion play-offs, leaving the club facing another season outside the division they wanted to reach.

Despite those setbacks, the manager continued working towards promotion. Stoke lost two influential players, Thorne and Kavanagh, to rivals Cardiff City during the summer that followed. Their departures represented a significant challenge, but Thordarson eventually guided the team through the play-offs at the third attempt.

Promotion secured after dramatic Cardiff tie

Stoke’s route to promotion in 2001/02 included another meeting with Cardiff City. The Potters faced a difficult situation after falling two goals behind in the first leg of the semi-final at home. Deon Burton’s late goal, however, gave the team renewed hope before the return match in Wales.

The second leg took place at Cardiff’s Ninian Park ground, where Stoke produced a dramatic response. James O’Connor scored a late equaliser before Souleymane Oulare became part of the occasion with an extraordinary extra-time winner. The goal was described as an inadvertent strike, but its importance was enormous, sending Stoke through to another major final in the Welsh capital.

This time, the Potters made no mistake. They faced Brentford at the Millennium Stadium and secured a 2-0 victory to complete their promotion achievement. The late Peter Handyside lifted the trophy, giving supporters a moment to celebrate after the previous disappointments.

Stoke described those occasions as some of the most dramatic, heartbreaking and joyful periods in the club’s history. The Wembley cup success, two unsuccessful play-off campaigns and eventual promotion helped establish Thordarson’s place in the club’s story.

Tributes from former clubs and players

Thordarson continued his involvement in football for another 20 years after leaving Stoke. His managerial career included spells at Barnsley, Notts County and Crewe Alexandra, alongside several appointments in his native Iceland. His overall coaching career stretched from 1987 until 2022.

Notts County paid tribute following news of his death, expressing sadness and sending thoughts to his loved ones. The club remembered him as a former manager and offered condolences to his family and friends.

Crewe Alexandra also released a message acknowledging his passing at 71. The club extended heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and friends during what it described as a sad time.

Former Stoke captain Clive Clarke shared his own memories of working with Thordarson during an appearance on BBC Radio Stoke Sport. Clarke explained that Graham Kavanagh had contacted him the previous evening after receiving a call from one of Thordarson’s sons, who informed him of the death.

Clarke said the news was very sad and brought back memories of the time they had spent together. Having played under the Icelandic manager for several years, he remembered him as quite a character.

Parkinson’s disease diagnosis shared in 2024

In its statement, Stoke also recalled that Thordarson had announced in 2024 that he was living with Parkinson’s disease. The club offered condolences to his former Potters, Bjarni and Thordur, as well as to all members of his family and friends.

His death has prompted an outpouring of affection from the clubs and people who shared part of his football journey. For Stoke supporters, his legacy will remain closely connected to the trophy won at Wembley and the promotion secured after the dramatic historic Cardiff semi-final.