The former England Under-21s manager Aidy Boothroyd has revealed he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s three years ago.
Boothroyd also managed Watford and Coventry before succeeding Gareth Southgate as Under-21s manager in 2016, spending five years in the role before leaving in April 2021. In a statement released on the League Managers Association’s website on Wednesday, the 54-year-old said: “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.”
In a video released by the LMA, Boothroyd described how difficult the last three years have been. “Psychologically it’s been tough, physically it’s been easier,” he says. “I’m coping well with that because I’m a former footballer who’s worked on the grass every day as a coach, as a manager so that’s easy getting up and being disciplined to go for a run or do some exercise, because exercise is the key thing in staving off this condition. It’s been tough, but now I feel a lot more able to come out and talk about these things.”
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“It is a bit like my life’s been on hold for all of us really, for my family, for my kids and people have just wanted to be helpful and that’s great,” Boothroyd added. “I don’t want to wallow, don’t want pity, all I want is to get back on the pitch or whatever it is I end up doing. I won’t let this define me, I’ll continue, I’ll keep fit, I’ll do what I’ve got to do in the gym and hopefully I can get a job with a purpose.”
After leaving his England role following the team’s exit from the European Under-21 Championship, Boothroyd had a short spell as part of the Northern Ireland coaching staff in May 2022.