Terry Yorath, Wales football legend and Gabby Logan’s father, dies aged 75

The news was announced today (Thursday 8th January).

Terry Yorath, in red Wales football kit, stares straight ahead as he stands on the pitch in Cardiff.

Photo by Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images

Published: Thursday, 8 January 2026 at 10:38 am

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Wales football legend Terry Yorath, the father of Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan, has died, aged 75.

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Logan left Wednesday (7th January)'s recording of MOTD, with co-host Mark Chapman stepping in, due to a family emergency.

Yorath played 59 times for his country, captaining them on 42 occasions, and would later spend five years at the helm as manager, narrowly missing out on qualification for the 1994 World Cup.

During a playing career that spanned two decades, the midfielder enjoyed spells at Coventry City, Tottenham, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City, before retiring at Swansea City – but it was at Leeds United where he made his name.

The Welshman came through as an apprentice at the Yorkshire club and spent nine years there as a player – winning the First Division in 1974 and reaching the finals of the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup.

A close up of former Wales coach Terry Yorath, in blue jacket, holidng his hands to his face as he gives instructions.

Terry Yorath. Photo by David Davies/Offside via Getty Images

After hanging up his boots, he spent more than 30 years in management, taking charge of Swansea, Wales, Bradford City, Cardiff City, Lebanon, Sheffield Wednesday and Margate.

Yorath faced several tragedies during his career in football. He was a player-coach at Bradford when the Valley Parade fire killed 56 fans and injured 270 more in 1985.

Seven years later, his son Daniel, aged 15, passed away from a genetic heart condition while playing football with Yorath in the garden.

Terry Yorath, in Wales training kit, gives instructions to two players on the pitch.

Terry Yorath spent five years as Wales manager. Photo by David Davies/Offside via Getty Images Photo by David Davies/Offside via Getty Images

The Football Association of Wales has described him as "a defining figure in Cymru history", while Leeds United have said he "will always be a club legend".

In a statement, Yorath's children said: "To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man.

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"Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel."

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Ned Holmes, smiling against a lime green background.

Ned Holmes

Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.

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