BEIRUT: The legendary Lebanese football coach Adnan Hussein Mekdache died on Tuesday aged 80, sparking an outpouring of mourning and tributes from fans and former teammates.
Dubbed Adnan Al-Sharqi, the former striker, coach and manager of the celebrated Al-Ansar Sporting Club, lost his battle with cancer at Beirut Military Hospital shortly before sunrise.
Born in Beirut in November 1941, Al-Sharqi, played for several clubs in Kuwait, Egypt and Lebanon. But his name was synonymous with Al-Ansar, where he first played between 1955 and 1957 and went on to spend more than 40 years as a player, coach and manager.
Al-Sharqi led the then second tier Al-Ansar to the Lebanese Premier League in 1967 as a player-coach.
His nephew, Ebrahim Mekdache told Arab News that no words could describe his uncle’s legacy on the pitch and across the Lebanese sporting arena. He described him as a “celebrated football icon whose achievements spoke prominently about who he was.”
“At home he was such a kind, warm and funny character. He loved his family just like everybody loved him,” Ebrahim said.  
During his tenure at Al-Ansar, Al-Sharqi became the world’s first football coach to win 11 consecutive championships - a world record. He won the titles between 1988 and 1999 as well as winning the Lebanese Cup 12 times between 1988 and 2000.  
Nejme Club’s former player, coach and director Ibrahim Zaazaa, who played alongside Al-Sharqi during a brief spell at Nejme in the 1967/1968 season, said he was a pillar of Lebanese football and Al-Ansar Club.
“He was one of the greatest left wingers and played a vital role in qualifying Al-Ansar to the top tier,” Zaazaa told Arab News. “He was a phenomenal manager and coach who achieved an unparalleled benchmark by having Ansar register their name in the Guinness World Record.”
An Ansar fan, Bassam Al-Deek, told Arab News that Al-Sharqi was a “great player, coach and leader who had inspired several generations.”
“He had been the main pillar of Al-Ansar and the national team. He motivated players to achieve epic success capitalizing on his experience and paternal approach,” Al-Deek, who spent his teenage years watching Al-Ansar and Al-Sharqi, said.
In July 1995, Al-Sharqi became the only Lebanese coach named the Asian Football Confederation Coach of the Month.
He played for the national team during the 1966 Arab Cup and spent several stints as the national team coach.
News of Al-Sharqi’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes on social media praising his legacy and achievements.
Al-Ansar and Nejme Clubs posted photos and obituaries commemorating Al-Sharqi on their social media handles while dozens of former players and co-workers shared videos of him. 
His family confirmed, Al-Sharqi had died from cancer after spending 45 days in hospital.
Al-Ansar Club’s home ground, Beirut Municipal Stadium, will host Al-Sharqi’s funeral on Wednesday noon.