The former Leicester and Watford manager Nigel Pearson has revealed that he had to learn to walk again over the past year after recovering from a “neurological situation”.

The 61-year-old spoke of his “frustration” with his health when he was seen on crutches towards the end of his tenure at Bristol City in October 2023 and posted an update on social media thanking those who have supported him during his recovery.

“Learning to walk again has been an incredible challenge,” he said. “My appreciation of support from family, friends, colleagues, supporters, and medical professionals has been profound. I had the wonderful opportunity of travelling to the US with my dad to meet family for the first time in Wisconsin.”

Pearson spoke about his love of the outdoors in an interview with the Guardian in February 2023 and has recently been able to get back out into the countryside again.

“I’ve been able to cycle in the Peak District, and swing golf clubs at the driving range, although my follow through needs some work (I’ve not fallen over yet!),” he added. “Although my prognosis is still uncertain, believe me that positivity and laughter can prove the best medicine as I experienced with old friends from school on a canal narrow boat on my birthday. There is always light somewhere ahead – new possibilities, new challenges.”

Pearson did not say whether he still had a desire to extend his managerial career in the future. He first took a job in the dugout at Carlisle in 1998 and has managed Southampton, Leicester, Watford, Derby, Bristol City as well as a spell at OH Leuven in Belgium.

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