Tottenham legend and Leyton Orient manager Justin Edinburgh has tragically died at the age of 49.
Edinburgh had been in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on Monday following his return from the Champions League final in Madrid.
He was taken to hospital and died on Saturday, just weeks after guiding the east London club back into the Football League.
Justin Edinburgh has died aged 49 after being rushed to hospital on Monday
Edinburgh (second left) was last pictured before watching Spurs at the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1 with fellow Tottenham legends Clive Allen (left) and Paul Allen (2nd right) and Benny V of Souped Up records
‘We are completely heartbroken by this tragedy’, Orient chairman Nigel Travis said in a statement.
‘All our thoughts and love are with the Edinburgh family and we know from the messages that have flooded into the Club over the last week that the wider football world will share our sentiments.
‘The success that Justin brought to Leyton Orient was incredible, but more importantly the impact he had on us all as a winner and a wonderful, inspirational human being will be his legacy and will stay with us forever.’
He leaves behind his wife Kerri and their children Charlie and Cydnie.
In the minutes following his death, tributes began to pour in from the world of football.
‘We are deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Justin Edinburgh,’ a Tottenham statement read.
‘Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts go out to his family and friends at this terribly difficult time as well as everyone that worked alongside Justin at Leyton Orient.’
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville labelled Edinburgh ‘a Champion that managed a team that played with your spirit,’ while Burnley, Fulham, Scunthorpe and Accrington Stanley were among the clubs to express their sadness.
‘Absolutely shocking news about the death of Justin Edinburgh. Taken far too young. Thoughts go out to his family,’ added former player turned pundit Chris Sutton.
Last week the 49-year-old had travelled to Madrid to watch his former side Tottenham in their Champions League final defeat by Liverpool.
Shortly after his return to the UK he suffered a cardiac arrest and on Saturday, Leyton Orient confirmed the terrible news of his death.
Edinburgh played for Spurs between 1990 and 2000, featuring more than 200 times, winning the FA Cup in 1991 and the League Cup eight years later.
Before joining Spurs in 1990 Edinburgh started his career at Southend.
Edinburgh guided Leyton Orient to promotion back to the Football League last season after taking over the club at their lowest ebb in 2017
The former defender made more than 200 appearances for Tottenham between 1990-2000
He joined Portsmouth in 2000, initially on loan, and spent three years there.
He ended his playing career at Billericay Town and also managed them during his spell there.
Edinburgh then took charge of the likes of Rushden and Diamonds before enjoying a successful period at Newport County.
In 2012-13, Edinburgh steered Newport back to the Football League, after a 25-year absence, via the play-offs.
He also had spells at Gillingham and Northampton Town before joining Orient in 2017.
The O’s missed out on the non-League Double when they lost the FA Trophy final to Fylde but the priority was always to get back to the Football League and Edinburgh got them there by topping the National League table by three points from closest challengers Solihull Moors.
Edinburgh took the time while leading Orient’s promotion push to help raise almost £5,000 for the Epilepsy Society by running in the London Marathon alongside his son, Charlie, in April. Justin was forced to pull with a knee injury but Charlie, who suffered from benign rolandic epilepsy, completed the race.
Edinburgh (left) travelled to Madrid last week to watch the Champions League final
Edinburgh in Madrid with ex-Spurs team-mates Steve Sedgley (L) and David Howells (R)
Justin raised almost £5,000 for the Epilepsy Society with his son, Charlie, by running the London Marathon this year. Justin pulled out with a knee injury but Charlie, who suffered from benign rolandic epilepsy, completed the race
Edinburgh (left) celebrating a goal with David Ginola during his time at Tottenham Hotspur
Edinburgh dispossesses Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler during a Premier League match in 1996
He won the FA Cup with Spurs in 1991 after they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in extra-time
He enjoyed a successful spell at Newport and guided them back to Football League in 2013
Edinburgh smiles with Leyton Orient captain Jobi McAnuff as they celebrate promotion
A Savage bust-up at Wembley
Edinburgh won the League Cup with Spurs in 1999, but was sent off in the final after an altercation with Leicester’s Robbie Savage.
He was given a straight red card for raising his arm up to the Leicester man, who was shown to have gone down from minimal contact by post-match analysis.
The former Wales international’s play-acting helped to get Edinburgh sent off, but Tottenham still went on to win the game 1-0.
Savage issued an apology to Edinburgh years later ahead of his Newport side’s FA Trophy final against York City in 2012.
Edinburgh gave a comical and candid interview about the infamous incident only last year.
Robbie Savage reacts to the flare-up with Edinburgh during the 1999 League Cup final
He told WeAreTottenhamTV: ‘It was cut short, but the idea of that was to liven up the cup final and the plan worked, I rallied the players and they went on to win comfortably 1-0.
‘I pulled Robbie Savage’s plat out, but no I think I put Robbie on the map. He hasn’t thanked me for it yet but look at him, he’s a superstar now.
‘It was one of those scenarios (where) if I could wind the clock back I certainly would. It’s disappointing to be sent off at Wembley but to win the cup final was the icing on the cake.’