FORMER Arsenal and England ace Graham Rix has been forced to temporarily stand down as manager of Sydenhams Wessex League club AFC?Portchester after suffering a heart attack.
The 59-year-old is recovering at home after the cardiac arrest on April 8.
After retiring as a player, Rix had spells in charge of Chelsea, Portsmouth, Hearts and Oxford United before taking over at Portchester in February 2013.
A statement from the Hampshire club read: “Sad to announce that our manager, Graham Rix, suffered a heart attack. Thankfully he’s comfortable and recovering. All at the club send our thoughts to Linda (his wife) and his family and wish Graham a speedy and full recovery.”
Rix will be succeeded at AFC?Portchester by his newly-appointed assistant, Ian Saunders, who was recently sacked as boss of Southern South & West outfit Winchester City.
