England manager Roy Hodgson has led the tributes to Don Howe, whose death at the age of 80 was announced on Wednesday.
Howe, who as a full-back won 23 caps for England, has been hailed as one of the outstanding coaches of his generation and is fondly remembered for his spell in the backroom staff for the national side under Ron Greenwood, Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Venables.
He enjoyed a lengthy playing career in England with Arsenal and West Brom, before going on to manage both sides, and took charge at QPR and Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Roy Hodgson paid an emotional tribute on the Football Association website to a man he described as an inspiration, a friend and a mentor.
He said: "He was all of those things to me and friends of my generation. I found myself privileged to say he befriended me and I think it is a great loss and I am very sad. I can only pass on my deepest condolences to his family.
"I think we were very fortunate growing up as young coaches to be able to take inspiration from Don, Sir Bobby Robson and Dave Sexton alongside him.
"I got to know Don quite well during my time in Sweden when he was at the Arsenal and I was able to come over at Christmas and spend time watching him work and, most importantly of all, picking his brains.
"He was absolutely one of the very best coaches I have ever come across in my life and, certainly in my opinion, one of the very best coaches England ever had."
Howe is recognised as having a great influence on two of the most successful England sides in recent times, working with both Robson and Venables as they reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup and the 1996 European Championship.
His reputation extended to his club career, where he coached Arsenal with distinction during a long association with the north London club.
Former Arsenal players Paul Merson and Charlie Nicholas also hailed him as one of the outstanding coaches of his time.
Talking to Sky Sports News, Merson said: "He was so far ahead of his time it was scary. You talk about the Wengers and people like that, he was the best coach in the world of football, not just in England in the world of football. He was a phenomenal, phenomenal coach."
Former striker Nicholas, who endured a difficult start to his Arsenal career before working closely with Howe, added: "I would toast Don, because he brings smile to my face. It wasn't the easiest time when I first got to Arsenal but Don worked with me every day.
"I'm just sat here smiling. I have a really happy memory of the man."
Tributes were paid on Twitter, with former England captain Bryan Robson, who began his playing career at West Brom, tweeted: "Don Howe was my greatest ever coach. He taught me everything I know. He will be sadly missed, my thoughts are with his family."
Former England striker Gary Lineker, who was trained by Howe, posted: "Sad to see that Don Howe has passed away. It was a privilege to have known and been trained by him. A great coach and a lovely man. #RIP."
Source: PA-WIRE
