Former Liverpool captain and football pundit Alan Hansen is “seriously ill” in hospital, it has been confirmed.
The Merseyside club confirmed this news with a statement with an announcement which has received several messages from former teammates and TV colleagues.
Having joined the club in 1977 from Patrick Thistle, Alan Hansen enjoyed a stellar career in the red of Liverpool, winning eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups, and three league cups.
Hansen also captained the club for four seasons, going on to make 620 appearances for Liverpool, which puts him firmly in the top 10 appearance makers at the Anfield club.
“The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital”, Liverpool said in a statement posted via their website.
They continued: “The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to provide our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family”.
“We will provide any further updates as we receive them in due course, and we request that the Hansen family’s privacy is respected at this time”.
“lets hope he can pull through”
Former Rep of Ireland striker John Aldridge who also played with Hansen at Liverpool, posted this message online.
“All our thoughts as ex-LFC players are with Alan (Jocky) Hansen and his family. Let’s hope he can pull through his illness. ynwa”, he wrote.
Former referee Keith Hackett also sent his: “best wishes for a speedy recovery”. He also called Hansen “a wonderful player and a delight to referee”.
Following his retirement in 1991, Alan Hansen later became a pundit for Sky and BBC, regularly appearing on Match of the Day alongside presenter Gary Lineker.
Posting on X, Gary Lineker reacted to the news regarding Hansen’s illness.
“Horrendous news. Thoughts are with Alan, Janet and all the family”, Lineker wrote.
“you can’t win anything with kids”
During his time as a pundit, Hansen was also known for the phrase: “you can’t win anything with kids”.
He uttered this following Man United’s defeat to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the 1995/96 Premier League season.
United had sold experienced players like Paul Ince and Mark Hughes, and introduced youth stars David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, along with Gary and Phil Neville.
Hansen was forced to eat humble pie, as Man United went on to win the Premier League and FA Cup that season.
However, Hansen also said that that phrase “made him” as a pundit, as people often shouted it to him in public. He eventually retired from punditry after the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
