The 76-year-old has suffered health difficulties since being rushed into intensive care in 2022
Toshack has suffered health difficulties in recent years
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Welsh football legend John Toshack has issued a rare public video message after years of health difficulties.
The 76-year-old was rushed into intensive care in 2022 as he battled pneumonia from complications brought on by Covid, as he was left unconscious and placed on a ventilator for two weeks in a hospital in Barcelona. While he survived the "frightening" ordeal, recent years have been challenging for Toshack amid his health difficulties, with the Liverpool icon keeping a low profile as he recovers.
However, he has delighted fans by sharing a video message to welcome in the New Year, with the football legend sending his regards to former club Real Sociedad, who he managed over two spells in the 1980s and 1990s.
In a clip filmed in his kitchen, Toshack is seen looking well, wearing a Sociedad shirt and Union Jack apron while standing over a table filled with ingredients.
In Spanish, he says: "Here I am at home preparing dinner for tonight. Happy New Year to everyone at Real Sociedad."
It comes after the former Wales manager was honoured in emotional scenes last year, as he returned to Real Sociedad to be presented with the Diamond and Gold badge, the highest honour the La Liga club can give to their legends.
Taking to the pitch at the Anoeta Stadium ahead of their clash with Real Madrid, Toshack received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters as he received the honour from Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay.
Toshack was a genuine superstar during his playing days, signing for Liverpool for £100,000 in 1970 after beginning his career with hometown club Cardiff City.
The striker won nine trophies - including three First Division titles and a European Cup - with the Reds, while he also scored 13 goals in 40 appearances for Wales.
He moved to Swansea as a player-manager in 1978, and was hailed by legendary Liverpool boss Bill Shankly as "the manager of the century" as he famously led the Welsh club to three promotions in four seasons, elevating them from the Fourth Division to the First.
Toshack was honoured on the pitch as he returned to Real Sociedad in September
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Toshack went on to take charge of more than a dozen clubs around the world, including Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, with his career also taking him to the top flight in France, Portugal and Turkey as well as sides in Macedonia, Morocco and Azerbaijan.
He also had two stints as Wales boss, the first in 1994 lasting just 47 days. His second spell came between 2004 and 2010, as he helped kickstart the youth revolution which saw the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen make their Wales debuts as teenagers.
Reflecting on his 2022 health scare in a documentary filmed later that year, Toshack admitted it was "frightening" to think of himself lying unconscious in hospital for two weeks.
"I've been seriously ill and I've recovered," he said at the start of the documentary. "Thank God, I'm out okay.
"When somebody tells you that you were out for two weeks, it's frightening. You can win a championship in two weeks or get relegated. When I think back on it now, it's frightening. But there we are, 72 going on."