Neil Warnock Pays Tribute to ‘Ray of Sunshine’ Sol Bamba, Dead at 39

Neil Warnock has paid tribute to Sol Bamba, describing him as “a ray of sunshine” following Bamba’s tragic death at the age of 39. The former Cardiff, Leeds, and Hibernian defender passed away in Turkey, where he was coaching Adanaspor, just a day after being hospitalized and missing a match against Manisa.

The football community has been deeply affected by Bamba’s passing. Warnock, who was Bamba’s manager at Cardiff and led him to Premier League promotion in 2018, expressed his sorrow on social media. He spoke fondly of the time they spent together, saying, “I can’t believe I won’t see that beaming smile again. I’m so happy that Sol was part of my life and we had such brilliant memories together. I’m heartbroken for Chloe and the family; all my thoughts are with them. Sol was a ray of sunshine, and I’ll miss him so much.”

Chloe Bamba also honored her late husband with a heartfelt post on Instagram. She reflected on the battles Sol faced with remarkable courage and resilience since his 2021 diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. “For the last few years, I have watched Sol fight his cancer head-on with astounding mental and physical strength. Unfortunately, it was never a fair fight, and just when things were looking up, he took a downturn and finally succumbed on 31st August. These years have been indescribably difficult, but we still managed to find joy and laughter in it. Sol accepted his fate as God’s will and left this earth knowing without a doubt that he was loved wholeheartedly. It was an honor to have loved and been loved by Sol. He is my hero. My heart is breaking.”

Bamba’s legacy extends beyond his time at Cardiff. He also played for Leicester City, Dunfermline, Hibernian, and Middlesbrough, and earned 46 caps for the Ivory Coast. Social media was flooded with tributes from the clubs and players he touched during his career. Leeds United stated, “Everyone at LUFC is devastated to learn of the news that former LUFC captain Sol Bamba has passed away. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this tragic time. Rest in peace, Sol; you will be forever in our hearts.”

Liam Cooper, who played alongside Bamba at Leeds, shared his grief: “Truly heartbreaking. A man that stood for what was right. An amazing player on the pitch and a true gentleman off it. Sending all my love and prayers to Sol’s family, friends, and everyone who was lucky enough to know him. Fly High, mate.”

Middlesbrough also shared their condolences: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Sol Bamba at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with Sol’s family and friends at this time. RIP Sol.”

Bamba’s journey in football saw him making significant contributions to every team he played for. He reached the Scottish Cup final with Dunfermline in his debut season and joined Hibs before moving to England with Leicester in 2011. After stints at Trabzonspor and Palermo, he joined Leeds initially on loan and then became the club captain. His leadership helped Cardiff achieve promotion to the Premier League in his first full season with the club. He played over 100 matches for the Bluebirds and served as assistant manager for six months in 2023.

Cardiff expressed their deepest sorrow: “It is with the deepest sadness that we have learnt this evening about the passing of club legend, Sol Bamba. As a player and coach, Sol’s impact on our football club was immeasurable. He was a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room, and a true gentleman. Our thoughts are with his friends, family, and everyone lucky enough to know and love Sol.”

The world of football mourns the loss of Sol Bamba, a player who touched many lives on and off the pitch. His spirit, resilience, and positivity will continue to inspire those who knew him.

Source: PA Archive, X