John Toshack's wife has spoken out following the football legend's son Cameron announcing his father's dementia diagnosis. Cameron, who is an assistant manager at Buriram United in Thailand, recently gave an update on Toshack's health.
The 77-year-old has experienced health problems in recent years, including being admitted to intensive care in 2022 as he fought pneumonia from complications caused by Covid-19. However, the former Liverpool forward's wife Mai Angulo has now shared her thoughts.
She admitted to being taken aback by Cameron's comments, given that he hadn't visited his dad for an extended period of time. Mai maintained that "things are very calm" when discussing her husband's condition.
The couple reside at a farmhouse in Girona, Spain, the country where the Welsh football icon previously managed clubs such as Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. Mai told El Diario Vasco: "John, as he (Cameron) says, is no longer the strong man who arrived in San Sebastian in 1985, but here he is trying to improve every day from the terrible aftereffects of the illness (Covid).
"It's true that Covid left him with very serious aftereffects, both physical and mental. Everyone has been able to see that. We can't forget that we went through some terrible times, with John sedated in the ICU, not knowing how he would progress. The illness greatly affected his mobility and also his memory.
"He always says he was out of this world for more than 10 days, and that when, thank God, he came back, he didn't understand anything. He didn't know what was happening to him or where he was. It wasn't easy, no. I spent many days in anguish because, except for John's closest friends, no one cared, not even his family."
However, she continued: "Rehabilitation was extremely difficult for him, but with effort he gradually improved. Every step he took was a victory. John is very calm here. We celebrated his 77th birthday on Sunday, and he was very happy. He lives peacefully here, with good weather most days.
"We work in the vegetable garden, and he can go out into the garden or the pool without any problems. He has good days and bad days, but that's to be expected at 77. I'm here to help him at all times."
Addressing Cameron's comments, she stated: "I was very surprised that he said that. He hasn't seen his father for two years and only speaks to him very occasionally on the phone."
Cameron is Toshack's son from an earlier marriage to Susan Bann, from Cardiff. The couple parted ways in 2013 following Susan's divorce petition, citing alleged "unreasonable behaviour." They wed in 1969 when both were 20. He moved to Liverpool in 1970 in a £100,000 transfer, netting 96 goals for the Reds.
After retiring from playing in 1984, Toshack managed some of Europe's leading clubs, including Sporting CP, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna, Besiktas and Saint-Etienne. In Madrid, he claimed the La Liga trophy in 1990.
He also had two periods as Wales manager. Once briefly on a part-time basis in 1994 and then again between 2004 and 2010, helping to develop the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen during that second period.
His wide-ranging managerial career concluded in 2018, during which he held 14 different positions. He ended his 40-year career following a brief spell in charge of Iranian side Tractor.
Last year, he was recognised in a rare public appearance, receiving the Diamond and Gold badge - the highest honour the La Liga club can bestow - by his former club Real Sociedad.
Cameron had told The Mail: "It's a terrible disease. It's the short-term memory where we're seeing it. I speak to him most days and if we chat in the afternoon, he might not remember that we also spoke in the morning.
"But if I ask him about the Liverpool days, or Real Sociedad or Real Madrid, the detail is amazing. The other day he was telling me about a Real Madrid game against Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan and exactly how he tweaked his midfield to deal with Marco van Basten.
"The game could have been yesterday, his memory was so clear. I'll talk to him about what we're doing in Thailand and he still gives great advice. As a manager, he could always see two or three moves ahead, and it was always in the genes for me, really."
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