European football mourns Dave Sexton

Former Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC manager Dave Sexton has died at the age of 82.

A forward in his playing days, Sexton experienced his greatest triumphs during his spell in charge of Chelsea from 1967 to 1974. His Blues side beat Leeds United AFC in a replayed final to lift the FA Cup in 1970 and the following year they required another replay before edging Real Madrid CF 2-1 to clinch the European Cup Winners' Cup – the club's first European trophy – in Athens.

Sexton left Chelsea for west London neighbours Queens Park Rangers FC in 1974 and managed United from 1977 to 1981, when he lost his job despite winning his last seven games. The London native then led England's Under-21 side to consecutive victories at the 1982 and 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Championships, and it was with the Under-21s that he ended his management career in 1996.

"It is a sad day for English football," said the Football Association's ( FA) director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking. "Anyone who was ever coached by Dave would be able to tell you what a good man he was, but not only that – what a great coach in particular he was.

"In the last 30 to 40 years, Dave's name was up there with any of the top coaches we have produced in England – the likes of Terry Venables, Don Howe and Ron Greenwood. His coaching was revered."

Chelsea held a minute's applause in honour of Sexton ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting with Manchester City FC, and the club released a statement saying they "would like to express our enormous sadness and send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dave Sexton. Sexton is without doubt one of the greatest managers in Chelsea history."