Liverpool have confirmed that club legend Alan Hansen has been released from hospital two weeks after being admitted and is fighting for his life.
On June 9, it was confirmed that the 69-year-old was seriously ill in hospital, prompting fans and people from the football community to send their best wishes.
Hansen played for the Reds between 1997 and 1991, making 620 appearances for the club after joining from Partick Thistle. He then moved to broadcasting, where he famously appeared as a pundit on Match of the Day.
Former teammate Graeme Souness had provided some positive updates earlier this week, revealing 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 was released from hospital two weeks ago after becoming seriously ill
Hansen (pictured right alongside Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish) was admitted to hospital on June 9 and left to fight for his life
Hansen (second from right during his days at Liverpool) will continue his recovery at home
In a statement they wrote: ‘Alan has been released from hospital today to continue his recovery at home.
‘Alan, Janet, Adam, Lucy and family would like to thank everyone for their wonderful messages of love and support.
‘It was overwhelming and helped enormously. We also greatly appreciate the continued respect shown for our privacy as Alan continues his recovery.”
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle is among those who have reacted happily to 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 said: ‘Great news to see you, my old friend Alan (Jockey) Hansen has been released from hospital.’
Former teammate Souness has since told us talkSPORT on Friday: I spoke to him a few days ago. Anyone who’s met Alan Hansen, he’s got a wicked sense of humor, so I’ve had two conversations with him in the last five, six days.
“I was on the receiving end of his humor in both conversations, so that tells me he’s on his way back.”
Souness, who previously described Hansen as a ‘dream for a midfielder’ due to his brilliance in defence, told Mail Sport following the news that his former teammate had been admitted to hospital that he was praying for his former colleague and longing for his return former teammate. ‘his usual p*** duties’.
In his first update on the 69-year-old on Monday, he said: ‘I spoke to him yesterday and he sounded fantastic so I hope he is on the road to a full recovery.
Souness (left with Dalglish and Hansen) reported good news earlier this week after saying he had two positive phone calls with his former teammate
News of Hansen’s condition prompted an outpouring of well wishes from across the football world
“He’s definitely back, because he didn’t do anything but get me out!”
“I talked to his son and Janet, his wife, and I called his phone, his phone number. I boarded the train on Sunday and looked for my seat. My phone rang and I saw it was Big Al.
‘I thought, “Oh no, don’t answer that.” So I sat down and got up the courage to call back and he answered. He’s had a tough time, but the way he sounded yesterday, he’s back, and I hope I’m right.”
News of Hansen’s condition prompted an outpouring of well wishes from across the football world. Ahead of the start of the BBC’s Euro 2024 coverage, his former Match of the Day co-host Gary Lineker paid an emotional tribute.
Hansen worked on the BBC television show for twenty years.
“It’s been a tough week for everyone involved in Match of the Day,” Lineker said on Saturday evening ahead of Italy’s meeting with Albania.
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’re good friends with Al, we know his character, we know he’s a fighter, we know how strong he is.”
Shearer added: “We are thinking of you great man and we are with you, we hope and we pray for you.”
Lineker joined Match of the Day in 1992, where he teamed up with Gary Lineker (right) and covered 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups and five European Championships
Hansen won eight league titles, two FA Cups and three European Cups during a decorated 14-year spell with the Reds.
The 69-year-old turned down the offer to move into management before pursuing a career in broadcasting, where he would take up positions at Sky and BBC Radio 5 Live.
He then joined BBC Match of the Day as co-host in 1992 before leaving the show in 2014 after covering 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups, five European Championships and one Olympic Games with the BBC.
