Alan Hansen was ‘seriously ill’ in hospital two weeks ago (Picture: Getty)
Liverpool legend and Match of the Day icon Alan Hansen has been discharged from hospital following his ‘serious illness’ and will continue to recover at home, his family have said.
Liverpool said in a statement on June 9 that Hansen, who made 620 appearances for the Reds, was ‘seriously ill’ in hospital.
During an illustrious 14-year spell at Anfield, Hansen helped Liverpool win eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups.
After hanging up his boots, Hansen – who earned 26 caps for Scotland – established himself as a high-profile and respected pundit, working on the BBC’s Match of the Day show for 22 years.
Liverpool shared an update from Hansen’s family on Sunday in which it was confirmed the 69-year-old had been discharged from hospital to ‘continue his recovery at home’.
A statement on Liverpool’s official website read: ‘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.
Hansen, right, with fellow Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness (Picture: Getty)
‘We also hugely appreciate the ongoing respect that has been shown for our privacy as Alan continues his recovery. Thank you.’
One of Hansen’s close friends and former team-mates, Graeme Souness, teared up on ITV’s coverage of Euro 2024 as he ‘sent prayers’ to the Anfield legend last week.
‘I had the pleasure of playing with him, he was an absolute dream for a midfielder,’ Souness said on ITV. ‘He passed the ball at the right weight, at the right angle, at the right time.
Hansen playing golf during a charity event in 2021 (Picture: Getty)
‘Just a super footballer. I believe the best footballing centre-half ever. I know that’s some statement but I really believe it. I saw it close-up, he was a real quality performer.
‘And as a human being, when people are ill people say they were great guys. But I’m telling you, he was a great guy.
‘You’d have to search a long, long way to find anyone who’s got a bad word to say about him and that takes some doing. His chat and banter was top-class, he was a pleasure to be around.
‘He’s in the fight of his life right now and we should all say a little prayer for him.’
Souness also spoke highly of Hansen on talkSPORT, saying: ‘He wasn’t a colleague, he was a mate, a good friend, a proper friend. He’s a proper human being, it will be hard to find anyone say a bad word about him.
‘He is one of life’s good guys and we’re all saying a prayer for him. I spoke to his wife, Janet, a few days ago and you can imagine the state she’s in.
‘But I’m telling you, he’s one of the best guys you could meet, a proper human being.’
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