AFP, London :
Mike Smith, who coached Egypt to the 1986 African Cup of Nations title and had two spells in charge of Wales, has died at the age of 83, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said Thursday.
The Englishman oversaw Egypt’s 1986 African campaign which ended with a penalty shootout win over Cameroon in front of 100,000 fans in Cairo after the final ended 0-0.
He was also the first non-Welshman to manage Wales, leading them to the quarter-finals of the 1976 European Championship, where they were beaten 3-1 over two legs by Yugoslavia.
A statement on the FAW’s official website said: “The Football Association of Wales is saddened to learn that former Cymru manager Mike Smith has passed away, aged 83.
“The thoughts of everyone at the FAW are with Mike Smith’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Smith replaced David Bowen as manager of Wales in 1974, taking them to the quarter-finals of the 1976 European Championships.
The Welsh missed out on qualifying for the 1978 World Cup finals following a 2-0 defeat by Scotland in a game played at Anfield.
Smith left his post in 1979 before taking charge at Hull for three years.
He then had a second spell in charge of Wales following John Toshack’s 48-day reign in 1994, but that lasted just 16 months.
