Wales head coach Craig Bellamy has described Terry Yorath’s impact on Welsh football as “immeasurable”
Yorath, the former Wales captain and manager who played for Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City, has died at the age of 75.
He was was national team manager between 1988 and 1993, with Wales missing out on qualification for the 1994 World Cup finals in the United States.
“As a country, we have so much to thank Terry for what he did,” said Bellamy, who has been Wales boss since July 2024.
Yorath captained Wales in 42 of his 59 international appearances and took charge of a further 41 matches as manager.
He also had two spells as Swansea City manager and had a brief stint as boss of hometown club Cardiff City as well as managing Bradford City, Sheffield Wednesday, Margate and the Lebanese national team.
“The impact Terry Yorath had on Welsh football is immeasurable,” added Bellamy.
“Terry epitomised everything it means to represent Wales as a player, and watching the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign with him as manager was the first time I experienced genuine belief that our country could qualify for a major tournament.
“My thoughts and condolences are with Terry’s family and friends during this difficult time, everyone in the Welsh football family will miss an incredible person.”
Yorath guided Wales to within a win of reaching the 1994 World Cup finals in the USA but his team lost 2-1 at home to Romania in Cardiff, which ultimately proved to be his final game in charge.
Barry Horne was Wales’ captain that night having been appointed skipper by Yorath and also played under him at Huddersfield Town.
“He represented his country with massive pride and distinction,” former midfielder Horne told BBC Wales’ Feast of Football podcast.
“Terry had taken Wales from not being very competitive to the brink of what I think would have been a glorious era for Welsh football.
“We had great players, we had balance, team spirit and Terry’s got to take a lot of credit for that.
“He was a leader and he had a great relationship with the players and I can’t tell you how much I owe him.
“He was a proud Welshman and he served his country through his football absolutely brilliantly.
Former Watford, Leicester City, Norwich City and Huddersfield Town striker Iwan Roberts was given his first senior cap by Yorath in 1989.
“He was like a father figure to us all,” Roberts said.
“He was humble and had no ego even though he’d had an incredible career. So down to earth.
“A fantastic captain, fantastic manager and a great player for Wales, but he was also a good person, a good bloke.
“We have lost a Welsh great.”
