Liverpool verify Alan Hansen has been DISCHARGED from hospital
- Liverpool have confirmed that Alan Hansen has been discharged from hospital
- The 69-year-old had been admitted after falling seriously ill a fortnight ago
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Liverpool have confirmed that club legend Alan Hansen has been discharged from hospital two weeks after he was admitted.
It was confirmed on June 9 that the 69-year-old was seriously ill in hospital, leading to fans and those in the football community sending their best wishes.
Hansen, played for the Reds between 1997 and 1991 making 620 appearances for the club after arriving from Partick Thistle. He then moved into broadcasting where he famously worked as a pundit on Match of the Day.
Former team-mate Graeme Souness had provided some positive updates earlier this week, revealing that he had held phone conversations with Hansen.
Liverpool have now confirmed that he has been released from hospital and will continue his recovery at home.
Alan Hansen has been released from hospital two weeks after falling seriously ill
Hansen (pictured right alongside Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish) was admitted to hospital on June 9 and was left fighting for his life
Hansen (second right during his days playing for Liverpool) will continue his recovery at home
In a statement they wrote: ‘Alan has been discharged from hospital today to continue his recovery at home.
‘Alan, Janet, Adam, Lucy and family would like to thank everybody for their wonderful messages of love and support.
‘It has been overwhelming and has helped enormously. We also hugely appreciate the ongoing respect that has been shown for our privacy as Alan continues his recovery.’
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle is among those who have reacted with delight at the news, tweeting: ‘What great news that Alan Hansen is out of hospital and at home. Take it easy big man.’
Ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge also commented: ‘Great news to see you my old mate Alan (Jockey) Hansen has been released from hospital.’
Former team-mate Souness meanwhile told talkSPORT on Friday: I spoke to him a couple days ago. Anyone who’s met Alan Hansen, he has a wicked sense of humour so I’ve had two conversations with him in the last five, six days.
‘Both conversations were me on the receiving end of his humour, so that tells me he’s on the way back.’
Souness, who previously described Hansen as a ‘dream for a midfielder’ due to his brilliance in defence, told Mail Sport after news that his former team-mate had been hospitalised that he was praying for his former colleague and yearned for the return of his ‘his usual p***-taking duties’.
Glenn Hoddle and John Aldridge are among those who have reacted to the news
Souness (left with Dalglish and Hansen) reported good news earlier in the week after saying that he had two positive phone calls with his former team-mate
News of Hansen’s condition sparked a wave of well-wishes from across the football world
In his first update on the 69-year-old on Monday, he said: ‘I spoke to him yesterday and he sounded fabulous so I hope that’s him on the way to a full recovery.
‘He’s definitely back because he did nothing but take the mickey out of me!
‘I’ve been speaking to his son and Janet his wife and I’ve been phoning his phone, his phone number. I got on the train on Sunday and I was looking for my seat and my phone rang and I could see it was Big Al.
‘I was thinking, “Oh no, don’t answer that”. So I sat down and got the courage to phone back and he answered the phone. He’s been in a difficult place but the way he sounded yesterday, he’s back, and I hope I’m right.’
News of Hansen’s condition sparked a wave of well-wishes from across the footballing world. Ahead of the start of BBC’s coverage of Euro 2024, his former Match of the Day co-host Gary Lineker delivered an emotional tribute.
Hansen worked on the BBC television show for 20 years.
‘It’s been a tough week for everyone associated with Match of the Day,’ Lineker said ahead of Italy’s meeting with Albania on Saturday night.
Turning to his colleague Alan Shearer, he added: ‘The news that Alan Hansen was seriously ill in hospital shocked us all, didn’t it Alan?’
The former Newcastle striker responded: ‘Oh absolutely. We are great friends with Al, we know his character we know he’s a fighter, we know how tough he is.’
Shearer added: ‘We’re thinking of you big man and we’re with you, we’re hoping and we’re praying for you.’
Hansen won eight league titles, two FA Cups and three European Cups during his time at Liverpool
Lineker joined Match of the Day in 1992, famously working alongside Gary Lineker (right) and covered 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups and five European Championships
Hansen pictured with his wife Janet in 2012 who he married back in 1980
Hansen won eight league titles, two FA Cups and three European Cups during a decorated 14-year stint with the Reds.
The 69-year-old rejected the offer of going into management before pursuing a career in broadcasting, where he would take up positions with Sky and BBC Radio 5 Live.
He subsequently joined up with BBC Match of the Day as a co-host in 1992 before leaving the show in 2014 having covered 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups, five European Championships and one Olympics with the BBC.
