The Cardiff‑born midfielder, who became one of Welsh football’s most respected figures both on and off the pitch, enjoyed a remarkable career that spanned Leeds United’s glory years, 59 caps for Wales, and two spells in the Swansea City dugout.
A giant of Welsh football
Yorath came through the ranks at Leeds United under Don Revie, becoming a key part of the side that won the First Division title in 1974 and reached multiple European and domestic finals. He made 199 appearances for the club before spells with Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City.
He captained Wales 42 times and later managed the national side, famously taking them to the brink of the 1994 World Cup before an agonising defeat to Romania ended their hopes.
Swansea City: promotion, pride and a lasting legacy
In Swansea, Yorath is remembered as the manager who steadied the club during a turbulent era and delivered promotion from the Fourth Division in 1988. He briefly returned for a second spell in charge during the early 1990s, juggling club duties with managing Wales.
He also made a single league appearance for the Swans in 1986 — the final match of his playing career.
His time in management took him across Wales and beyond, including Bradford City, Cardiff City, Lebanon, Sheffield Wednesday and Margate.
A career touched by tragedy
Yorath was assistant coach at Bradford City during the Valley Parade fire in 1985, helping evacuate supporters before being injured himself while escaping the burning stand.
In 1992, he suffered the devastating loss of his 15‑year‑old son Daniel, who collapsed while playing football at home. Yorath later spoke openly about the profound impact of Daniel’s death on his life.
Family pays tribute
His children — Gabby, Louise and Jordan — said in a statement:
“To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was Dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel.”
Yorath’s death came hours after his daughter, BBC presenter Gabby Logan, was forced to leave Wednesday night’s Match of the Day broadcast due to a family emergency.
He is survived by his children and grandchildren Reuben, Lois, Mila, Phoenix and Paloma.
Tributes from across football
Leeds United said they were “devastated” by the news, while former players and clubs across the UK and abroad paid tribute to a “no‑nonsense leader”, a “gentleman”, and a man who shaped Welsh football for generations.
Yorath was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
