Former England and Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson died yesterday at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer.
Robson, whose first brush with the disease that would ultimately claim him was in 1992, led England to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990 before leaving to manage a host of top European clubs including PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona and finally his boyhood team Newcastle.
A statement issued on behalf of his family said: “It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer. He died very peacefully this morning [Friday] at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.”
PHOTO: EPA
Ipswich opened a book of remembrance for Robson ahead of yesterday’s friendly with Real Valladolid and a minute’s silence was held during training at Newcastle, while the club’s St James’ Park stadium was opened for fans to lay tributes.
Through the 1950s and early 1960s he was a top midfielder with the London club and with West Bromwich Albion.
His first managerial role came at Fulham, but he made his name during a reign at Ipswich from 1969 to 1982.
Under Robson’s astute leadership, Ipswich — an unheralded provincial club — became one of the most feared teams in England and their boss earned a reputation as one of the gentleman of British sport.
Ipswich won the FA Cup in 1978, beating Arsenal 1-0 in the final, and enjoyed European glory for the first time in 1981 with victory over Dutch side AZ 67 Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup final.
A year later Robson was appointed England coach and, after missing out on qualific he took England to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 1986.
England’s run in Mexico ended in controversial circumstances when Diego Maradona’s infamous “hand of god” goal and a brilliant solo effort handed Robson’s team a 2-1 defeat.
“It wasn’t the hand of God, it was the hand of a rascal,” Robson said.
By the time England reached the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Robson had grown tired of the pressures of the job and revealed he would leave to take charge at PSV after the tournament.
He almost went out on a high as England, inspired by a young Paul Gascoigne, reached the last four for the first time since winning the competition in 1966.
A heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat to West Germany ended Robson’s England reign, but he was to enjoy more success for the rest of his career.
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