Bobby Robson: A Touch of Class

A few years back, we were proud to meet the late Sir Bobby Robson. He was definitive proof that nice guys don’t always finish last. In honor of his indelible impact on the game, we’ve trawled through the archives and selected some of the most memorable moments from Sir Bobby‘s career:

The Birth of a Legend: Winning the 1978 FA Cup with Ipswich Town was to be one of Robson‘s most famous achievements as manager. The shock 1-0 victory over a fantasy Arsenal side brought the FA Cup to small-town Ipswich for the only time in its history.

Assault on Europe: Winning the 1981 UEFA Cup with Ipswich provided the stepping stone for Robson’s successful move to some of Europe’s glitziest clubs. Ipswich’s 5-4 win over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in a two-legged final announced Robson to the global community.

First European triumph back in '81 with Ipswich

World Cup Tears: While Gazza stole the headlines with his tricks and tears at Italia 90, it was Bobby who masterminded England’s assault on Rome, overcoming a plucky Cameroonian side and coming within a wayward Chris Waddle penalty of beating West Germany in the Semi Finals.

Resurrecting Barcelona: Robson arrived in Barcelona from Porto bringing with him a very special weapon from his days at PSV: his Brazilian protégé, Ronaldo. (This was back in the days when Ronaldo wasn’t so fat.) Together with a young Jose Mourinho, they captured the 1997 European Cup Winners Cup, bringing European success back to a club who had been craving a return to the elite.

Enjoyed success at Barca with two of his more famous protégés

RIP Sir Bobby

Related Articles:

• A City’s Welcome to tevez (Machester United)