Thaindian News

Former England national football manager Sir Bobby Robson died on Friday after a long battle with cancer, aged 76.

Robson, the son of a coal miner, was one of the most respected men in world football, enjoying a successful playing career with West Bromwich Albion and Fulham and earning 20 England caps before moving into coaching.

Robson gained a reputation as an astute manager after taking over at unfashionable Ipswich Town in 1969, establishing them as regular title challengers, and winning the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981.

In 1982 Robson was appointed England national team manager ended his eight-year reign by leading England to the World Cup semi-finals in Italy in 1990 where they lost to West Germany in a penalty shoot-out.

Robson followed this up with a period in Europe managing Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, and Barcelona, before returning to England and taking over Newcastle.

Last Sunday, Robson, who was suffering a fifth bout of cancer, this time in both lungs, was honoured by a crowd of more than 30,000 at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park who attended a match to raise money for his cancer charity.

According to a statement issued on behalf of his family, the football great died “very peacefully at home with his wife and family beside him”.

News of the football legends death resulted in a massive outpouring of tributes from football fans around the world and saw the Wikipedia page dedicated to him crash under the flow of inquiries.