John Toshack family feud as former Real Madrid and Wales boss hits back after son said he has dementia

However, when Spanish journalists visited the former striker and manager at his residence in Besalu, Catalonia, both Toshack and his second wife Mai Angulo disputed the assertion.

The football great, who resides with Mai and their five dogs in the Girona province, responded directly to the claims with characteristic humour: "Dementia? Not yet!"

Mai, who has been married to Toshack for 33 years, acknowledged to Spanish newspaper El Diario Vasco that her husband suffered significant consequences following his coronavirus infection in 2022.

"It is true that Covid left him with very severe after-effects, both physical and mental. Everyone has been able to notice this," she stated.

The couple endured a harrowing period with Toshack sedated in intensive care for over ten days, uncertain of his recovery.

Mai expressed frustration at her stepson's public comments, noting: "Cameron only knows what he talks about very occasionally on the phone with his father.

"He hasn't seen him for two years. That's why it really surprised me that he said this."

She also remarked that during those difficult hospital days, few beyond John's closest friends showed concern, including family members.

Toshack appeared in good spirits when welcoming a reporter from El Mundo into his home, wearing a Real Sociedad tracksuit while sitting in the sunshine.

The former Cardiff City player, who made over 200 appearances for the Welsh club before claiming nine trophies during eight seasons at Anfield, demonstrated his wit remained intact.

"I've forgotten all the goals I missed but I remember perfectly the ones I scored," he quipped.

He then recited his famous team selection quote from his time managing Real Madrid, following a difficult away defeat to Rayo Vallecano: "On Mondays I always think I'll make 10 changes to the team.

"On Tuesdays, seven or eight. By Thursday, it's four. Friday two, and by Saturday I'm back to starting the same 11 bastards."

El Mundo journalist Luis Nunez-Villaveiran observed that Toshack "maintains the spark he became known for" at clubs including Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.

Cameron, the 56-year-old assistant coach at Thai League 1 side Buriram United, maintains his father has received an official diagnosis.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he described the condition as "a terrible disease" affecting primarily short-term memory.

"I speak to him most days and if we chat in the afternoon, he might not remember that we also spoke in the morning," Cameron explained.

Yet he noted his father's extraordinary ability to recall details from his playing and managerial career: "But if I ask him about the Liverpool days, or Sociedad or Madrid, the detail is amazing."

When asked directly whether the dementia diagnosis was formal, Cameron confirmed: "Yes."

His account was privately supported on Friday by individuals acquainted with the football legend.