Football legend John Toshack has publicly denied claims made by his son that he has been diagnosed with dementia, stating he is "not yet" demented. The 77-year-old former Liverpool striker and Wales manager addressed the issue from his home in Girona, Spain, where he lives with his wife, Mai.
Son's Interview Sparks Controversy
Toshack's son, Cameron, gave an interview to the Daily Mail published on Wednesday where he claimed his father had received a dementia diagnosis and gave permission for this information to be shared publicly. Cameron, who works as a coach in Thailand, described his father as having "good days and bad days" and claimed they spoke "most days."
Toshack's Direct Response
"Demented? Not yet," Toshack told Spanish newspaper El Mundo during a visit to his home. The former footballer added with characteristic wit: "I've forgotten all the goals I've missed, but I remember perfectly the ones I've scored."
Spanish journalist Luis Nunez-Villaveirn, who visited Toshack at his residence, shared video footage showing the 77-year-old wearing a Real Sociedad tracksuit and speaking in Spanish about his condition.
Covid-19 Battle Explains Memory Issues
Toshack acknowledged experiencing some short-term memory difficulties but attributed these problems to his serious battle with Covid-19 rather than dementia. The football icon spent more than two weeks in intensive care at a Barcelona hospital after contracting both Covid-19 and pneumonia in 2022, confirming at the time that he had been "seriously ill."
Family Dynamics Revealed
Toshack's wife, Mai, revealed that her husband has not seen his son Cameron in two years, contradicting Cameron's claim of regular communication. This family separation adds context to the conflicting narratives about Toshack's health and communication patterns.
Illustrious Football Career
John Toshack enjoyed a remarkable playing career, scoring 96 goals for Liverpool during a seven-year spell at Anfield that yielded three league titles, two UEFA Cups, and the European Cup. He formed a legendary strike partnership with Kevin Keegan and earned 40 caps for Wales, scoring 13 international goals.
After retiring from playing, Toshack embarked on an extensive managerial career that included two spells in charge of Spanish giants Real Madrid, winning La Liga with them in 1990. He remains the only Welshman to have managed Real Madrid.
Managerial Journey Across Europe
Toshack's managerial journey took him across Europe, with stints at Swansea City, Sporting Lisbon, Deportivo La Coruna, Besiktas, Saint-Etienne, and Real Murcia. He also managed the Welsh national team twice, first in 1994 and then between 2004 and 2010.
Cameron Toshack had told the Daily Mail that despite any health concerns, his father could still recall intricate details of past matches from his time at Liverpool and Real Madrid, suggesting his football memory remains intact even if other aspects of his memory have been affected by his Covid-19 experience.
