Newcastle boss Steve McClaren pays tribute to Pavel Srnicek
Wednesday 30 December 2015 16:30, UK
Steve McClaren has paid tribute to former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek who passed away on Tuesday.
Srnicek, who made 190 appearances for the club in two spells, between 1991 and 1998, and 2006 and 2007, died at the age of 47 after suffering a cardiac arrest nine days previously while out running in his native Czech Republic.
He was placed in an induced coma but brain scans showed "irreversible" damage and the decision was taken to turn off his life support system.
Newcastle head coach McClaren, who was speaking ahead of his side's trip to Arsenal on January 2, said it was a sad time for everyone at the club.
"We talked a lot about it last week when he was in the coma and unfortunately he's not come through," McClaren said. "So, absolutely devastated to lose anybody, but especially a character like Pav at that age.
"It is real, real sad - condolences to his family and everybody who has been around him. Really a sad time at Newcastle at the end of this year.
"When you see the sad news of Pav you think how life can be just a second away from ending. Real sad - puts everything into perspective."
McClaren did not know Srnicek personally but encountered him in the game and said members of his coaching staff knew the goalkeeper from his second spell at the club.
"I didn't [know him personally], obviously came across him and watched him many times," McClaren said. "A great character and a typical goalkeeper - a little crazy in the mind - but a fantastic goalkeeper, great character and servant of the club.
"They [coaching staff] knew him really well and obviously a lot of stories going around. He wasn't just a good player on the pitch but he was also good off the field with everybody, with the fans, and sadly missed."
