The great gentleman of English football passes away aged 76

Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson died this morning, aged 76, after a long battle with cancer.

Robson was one of the most loved and respected figures in football. He was in charge of the national team for the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where England reached the semi-final before losing on penalties to West Germany. After a playing career that brought him 20 England caps, Robson had a long and distinguished managerial career, taking unfashionable Ipswich Town to UEFA Cup glory in 1981 before landing the England job.

After standing down from international football, Robson took on some of the biggest jobs abroad, enjoying success withteams in Holland and Portugal before moving on to Barcelona. In 1999 he returned to English football, as manager of Newcastle, the club he watched and supported as a boy.

Sir Bobby’s last public appearance was last Sunday at St James’ Park, where 33,000 fans turned out to honour their former manager and raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson cancer foundation. An England XI, including several members of the 1990 World Cup Squad took on a Germany XI. This time Robson saw his England team win 3-2.