Gentleman Giant, Sir Bobby Robson, Dies

English football's leading figures paid tribute to Sir Bobby Robson on Friday after the former England coach lost his long battle with cancer. Robson passed away aged 76 at his family home on Friday morning, and his death brought an immediate outpouring of love and respect from the football community.

England manager Fabio Capello said: "Sir Bobby was a wonderful man, a real gentleman. To manage the England national team for so long was a remarkable achievement and we all remember how close he came to leading England to the World Cup final in Italy."

"His spirit and courage was incredible. To fight cancer so many times really showed the strength of the man. All the time we spoke over a cup of coffee with his close family, his passion for football shone through. He loved the game and was extremely proud of his country and the north-east region."

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle, who played under Robson at the 1986 World Cup, told Sky Sports News: "It's devastating. Our feelings and thoughts go out to Bobby's family. Obviously for everybody in the football world it's a very, very sad day. "He's the closest we've come to winning the World Cup since 1966 (and they may have if a certain Diego Maradona hadn't blatantly cheated and the officials ostrich-like ignored it) that's how good Bobby was.