Former Real Madrid and Real Sociedad manager John Toshack is in intensive care at a Barcelona hospital, after suffering complications in his battle against Covid.

Barcelona based Toshack, 72, who has lived in Spain for four decades, with his wife Maite, is suffering serious pneumonia.

Ex-Liverpool and Wales legend Toshack, who had successful managerial spells with Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, is in hospital in Barcelona.

Toshack, who began his career at Cardiff City, joining Liverpool in 1970, was admitted to hospital on February 28 after falling ill.

He has reportedly been in intensive care ever since, with his oxygen levels dropping dangerously and complicating his health situation.

Toshack, understood to have been fully vaccinated against Covid, had a back operation several months ago but his health, until his admission to hospital intensive care, had been described as good.

Toshack, who helped Liverpool win two league titles, European Cup, UEFA Cup on two occasions, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup, had two spells as Wales national manager.

Spanish daily ABC said before Toshack was put on a ventilator, to help him with his breathing, he told his wife he wanted to eat pan-fried hake with rice, which he used to love eating when he lived in the Basque city of San Sebastian.

Toshack, in charge at Real Murcia in 2004, has not managed since leaving Iranian side Tractor in September 2018.

He was manager at Real Madrid during 1989-90, after being at Real Sociedad during 1985-89, returning to Real Sociedad in 1991, until 1994.

After taking the Wales managerial post in 1994, he returned to Real Madrid in 1999, and again to Real Sociedad in 2001-02.

It is understood that his son, Cameron Toshack, is set to be appointed as Jesse Marsch’s assistant at Leeds United.