Justin Edinburgh, head of Leyton Orient, dies at 49 | Soccer

Leyton Orient's manager, Justin Edinburgh, died Monday at the age of 49 from a heart attack.

The club announced the death of Edinburgh in a statement, saying the former Tottenham defender had died Saturday.

"We are completely upset by this tragedy," said President of the East Nigel Travis. "All our thoughts and love go to the Edinburgh family and the messages that flooded the club last week teach us that the football world in general will share our feelings."

Edinburgh had just guided Orient towards promoting the Football League after taking office in November 2017 as the club embarked on an in-depth reconstruction.

"The success that Justin brought to Leyton Orient was incredible, but above all it had a positive impact on all of us – a wonderful and inspiring human being will be his legacy and will remain forever for us," added Travis.

As a left-back, Edinburgh has made a name for Tottenham, making over 250 appearances in ten years, winning the FA Cup in 1991 and the League Cup in 1999. "We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the pbading of Justin Edinburgh, "said Spurs." Our deepest condolences and thoughts accompany his family and friends in this extremely difficult time, as well as all the people who worked alongside Justin at Leyton East. "

Edinburgh also played for Portsmouth and Billericay, having started his career at Southend. As a manager, he worked at Billericay, Fisher Athletic, Grays Athletic, Rushden and Diamonds, Newport, Gillingham and Northampton before taking over in Orient.

The league managers' badociation paid tribute to Edinburgh. Its president, Howard Wilkinson, called him a "true professional". Wilkinson said: "A man who has worked hard and who has been successful as a player at the highest level of football and turned his love of football into a career of a lifetime as a coach and in as a manager. At a time when he should celebrate the success of his team and prepare for league football awards next season, he was lost too early for the game and for his community. "