Former Real Madrid president dies after contracting coronavirus

UEFA Champions League Final, Paris, Real Madrid v Valencia, 24/5/00 Lorenzo Sanz the Real Madrid President holds the UEFA Champions League trophy with Michel Salgado [Mandatory Credit: Action Images / John Sibley]

The man who led Real Madrid at the helm, guiding them to the 1998 European Cup triumph Lorenzo Sanz is dead.

Sanz died at the age of 46 after contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to English news outlet The Guardian, Sanz was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, March 17 following a three-day fever.  

San, who also had other respiratory problems suffered from kidney failure due to an infection and succumbed on Saturday night.

Lorenzo Sanz is dead [COURTESY]

"My father has just passed away. He did not deserve this ending and in this way. One of the best, bravest and hardest-working people I have ever seen. His family and Real Madrid were his passions," tweeted his son, Lorenzo Sanz Duran.

Sanz was in charge of Los Blancos for five years was responsible for the signing of star players like Clarence Seedorf, Fernando Hierro, Roberto Carlos Raul and Davor Suker.

He guided the club to two Champions League titles during his tenure.

Hoy es el día más triste de mi vida, nos ha dejado un gran padre y un gran abuelo, una persona única, hecha así misma que fue capaz de conseguir todo lo que se propuso, pero su mayor logro fue su familia, papa te quiero y se que siempre seguirás cuidando de nosotros pic.twitter.com/MpEsDbDUsG

— Fernando Sanz 19 (@FernandoSanzD19) March 21, 2020

The first one, With Jupp Heynckes as Real beat Juventus in the 1998 Champions League final, claiming their seventh European Cup but in 32 years. Two years later, beat Valencia in the final staged in Paris to claim their eighth title. 

Current club captain and Spanish defender Sergio Ramos hailed condoled with Sanz family on social media.

"Very sad day for Real Madrid. Lorenzo Sanz connected yesterday and today with two numbers for history -- 7 and 8. His death saddens us even more in these difficult days in which we find ourselves. My deep condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace," tweeted Ramos

Día muy triste para el madridismo. Lorenzo Sanz conectó el ayer y el hoy con dos números para la historia: 7 y 8. Su muerte entristece aún más estos días difíciles en los que nos encontramos. Mis profundas condolencias para familia y amigos. Descansa en paz. — Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) March 21, 2020

Sanz lost the Real Madrid presidential election in 2000 to Florentino Perez.