UEFA President pays tribute to Sir Bobby

UEFA President Michel Platini is among those who have paid tribute to the former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who has passed away at the age of 76. Players and coaches talked of Sir Bobby's love of football, his influence, and the respect in which he was held throughout the game in a distinguished playing and coaching career.

'Great sadness'
"It is with great sadness that I learned today of the death of Sir Bobby Robson," said Mr Platini. "He was a great ambassador for football and a true gentleman in everything he did. He will be remembered not only for his playing career and his outstanding managerial career at both club and international level, but also because he was a truly warm and passionate human being. My thoughts and condolences go to his wife and family at this time."

'Wonderful individual'
"I was never too big or proud to ask him for advice which he gave freely and unconditionally. And I'm sure I am speaking for a lot of people when I say that," said Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "In my 23 years' working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby Robson. I mourn the passing of a great friend, a wonderful individual, a tremendous football man, and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed."

'Incredible manager'
"Sir Bobby Robson was an extraordinary man and an incredible football manager," said Scotland boss George Burley, who began his playing career with Sir Bobby at Ipswich Town FC. "Not only did he manage my career from the age of 15 when I signed for him at Ipswich, he also had a huge influence on my life. He brought me up as a person and I have always considered him to be a second father."

'Genuine legend'
"FC Barcelona are in mourning," said the Spanish club about their former coach. "Throughout his time at Camp Nou he had the respect and affection of everyone associated with the club. He was a genuine legend of the world game." "Sir Bobby was a wonderful man, a real gentleman," added current England coach Fabio Capello. "To manage the national team for so long was a remarkable achievement, and we all remember how close he came to leading England to the [1990 FIFA] World Cup final in Italy."

'Passion for life and football'
FC Internazionale Milano coach José Mourinho served his coaching apprenticeship under Sir Bobby in Portugal and Spain. "I will always remember the everyday Bobby Robson, a man with an extraordinary passion for life and football, with a great enthusiasm," he said. "Bobby Robson is one of those persons who never dies – not only for what they did during a career, for a win or a defeat, but for everything he could give to people, like me, who were fortunate enough to get to know him and walk beside him."

'Enjoy the game'
"It is a great loss. He was a great sportsman and a great football personality; he was also very kind," said José Eduardo Bettencourt, the Sporting Clube de Portugal president, of his side's former coach. "A fantastic man with a great sense of humour," added PSV Eindhoven general manager Jan Reker of Robson, who had two spells with the Dutch team. "All players loved him. He showed huge passion and love for football. 'Enjoy the game – be happy you are allowed to play football,' he always said before a match. The man possessed huge vitality and was a great coach."

More tributes
In 2003, players and coaches paid tribute to Sir Bobby in the official UEFA publication The Technician after he had received the UEFA President's Award the previous year. Click to read the publication in English, French or German. In 2002, Sir Bobby also gave an interview to UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh on his career, coaching experiences and beliefs. Click here to read the interview (in English).