Source: Telegraph
Sir Bobby Robson: football makes tributes
Sir Alex Ferguson:
"In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above Sir 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.
"The strength and courage he showed over the past couple of years when battling against his fifth bout of cancer was indescribable. Always a smile; always a friendly word with never a mention of his own problems. The world, not just the football world, will miss him. Let's hope it won't be long before another like him turns up because we could never get enough of them."
Jose Mourinho: "It is difficult to accept such a person is no longer with us - but he is immortal because he leaves in everybody who knows him a mark of his personality - a great coach but, more than that, a great person."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown: "I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of Sir Bobby Robson. I had the privilege of meeting Bobby on many occasions. He epitomised everything that is great about football in this country.
"Over the past few years, he fought cancer with his characteristic tenacity and good humour. He will be sorely missed - not only in Newcastle and Ipswich, both of whom he served with such devotion, but by all sports fans in our country."
Stuart Pearce, England Under-21 coach: "It is a massive loss, as a man, and to football. I cannot think of anyone in the game who was held in higher esteem. It was an absolute privilege and honour for me to work with him. My thoughts are with his family at this time."
Fabio Capello: "Sir Bobby was a wonderful man, a real gentleman. It's extremely sad that Sir Bobby has lost his final fight against cancer, but he will never be forgotten. He really was a great man."
Ray Clemence: "It's a sad day for football and football people. He had such honesty and enthusiasm for the game as a player and manager. Even right up to the very end, when he spoke about football the enthusiasm still shone through how much he loved and cared about the game.
"Since Sir Alf Ramsey England have never been as close to winning the World Cup as we were with Bobby. At the top end of sport, these things are decided by the smallest issues and obviously it went to penalties. He certainly made the nation very proud because of the way the team played in that 1990 World Cup."
Alan Shearer: "He will be sadly missed by everyone, not just by people in the football world but from all walks of life. It's a very sad day for everyone, especially his family, his close friends and anyone who's ever worked with him."
Gary Lineker: "I was deeply saddened to hear of Bobby Robson's death. He was a great football man. He had a tremendous enthusiasm and passion for football and life and continued to retain this right to the last days of his life.
"He will be deeply missed by everyone, especially those who played for him. I have the fondest memories of playing for him at two World Cups."
Ray Wilkins: "Everyone had the utmost respect for him. He handled people in the right fashion and I think that was his major strength. He was a joy to be around."
Richard Scudamore: "It's a real shame. Obviously our thoughts go out to his family. Anyone who spent any time in his company was enriched. The great thing about Bobby was he made you feel you knew him well. He always had time to speak to you and share his passion for the game."
Tony Blair: "Sir Bobby was one of the nicest, most caring and genuine people I ever met - a real Geordie gentleman. He was, of course, an outstanding coach, but he was also immensely generous with his time and energy across a range of charitable activities.
"It was a privilege to have known him."
Gerry Sutcliffe (minister for sport):"Sir Bobby Robson was one of the towering figures of English football. His record at club, European and international level speaks for itself. He was a much-loved and respected figure who lived and breathed football at every level , and in the right spirit, and his passion for the game was infectious. He will be sorely missed."
FC Barcelona:
"Barcelona is in mourning. During his period with the club, Robson won the affection of all Cules (Barca supporters). He is a true legend of world football."
Steve McClaren: "I had a cup of tea with him a couple of months ago in his home. He was fighting as he always did but you could tell time was passing. To be so successful, but to be so loved by everybody throughout his career... that's special and says something. The game will be worse for Bobby Robson leaving us. The passion was still there, it was unbelievable. His mind was still so sharp, so enthusiastic, even at that age and even though he had an illness."
Ian Watmore (FA chief executive): "The whole of football loved Bobby Robson as a player, a manager and an ambassador for the game. This is a sad day and on behalf of the Football Association I would like to send condolences to his family and thank him for all that he did for England and football in general."
Don Howe (Robson's assistant manager with England): "It is a sad day. When somebody is ill like that you realise what is happening but when it comes it is really shocking to your system. Having known him since the 1950s when he was transferred from Fulham to West Brom, where I was already, we just gelled together. We were both similar, we had both got big families to look after and wanted to be successful in football. That's why we got on well together.
"He was a man of standards. Whatever he talked about or did, he had high standards to do the best he could possibly do and he lived his life that way."
George Burley: "Sir Bobby was like a father to me, taking a personal interest in me right from the start, always checking whether I was happy; were the digs all right; was I getting the right food and so on. His support and enthusiasm was the perfect cure for homesickness and helped my career to get off the ground and thrive.
Paul Parker (England defender):"When I was with the England side he was a fantastic person to play for. The way he asked you and told you do stuff...you really wanted to do it for the man.With his love and his drive you just wanted to perform for him. Everybody loved playing for Bobby, he was one of the few managers everybody took to. He was just a wonderful man to play for."
Micky Stewart (former England cricket manager): "He was an enthusiast for the game and had such respect for players. That's gone out of fashion a little these days. He loved the game and was a top player as well. He wouldn't miss a ball when he was invited to Test matches. He wasn't one of the prawn sandwich brigade and whatever was going on he would catch the first ball after lunch or tea...he had great respect for sport."
Warren Barton (former England and Newcastle defender): "It's devastating news, he was a great manager and a great man. I hope his legacy continues, he was the best manager I had. He was black and white through and through."
Glenn Hoddle:"It's devastating, very sad. 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 was a very open and very honest person. He and Don Howe were closely-knit together in my era of playing under Bobby. He was someone that would talk to you. The lads really did take to him and have respect for what he's done not only in football but off the pitch. He was a very charming man but also a winner.
"I was absolutely amazed to see, when he went back to Newcastle, the passion he had for continuing at Newcastle when he'd done most jobs he wanted to. I met up quite a few times with him when he was Newcastle manager and that passion was still there. I think that was still there to this very day. He had a genuine, refreshing love the game. He'll be sadly missed."
Trevor Steven (England squad 1990):"It is very sad news. I knew he was desperately ill, so in some ways it is not a surprise. Bobby was a very important man to me in my career, he gave me my first England cap.
"He was a 100 per cent football man, very enthususiastic and it is that enthusiasm that I will remember him best for, that was his most appealing trait. He had some tough times as an England manager but he stuck by his players and gave them his full backing."
Jeremy Peace (West Brom chairman):"Everyone at West Bromwich Albion is deeply saddened to hear of Sir Bobby's Robson's passing. He was a terrific servant for this football club, which always remained dear to his heart. He was a true gentleman in every sense and our sincere condolences go to his family."
Everton Football Club: "The players, board of directors, management, staff and supporters of Everton Football Club would like to pass on their most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sir Bobby Robson who died this morning at the age of 76. Sir Bobby was a regular visitor to Goodison Park throughout his long and illustrious playing and managerial career and this football club would like to mark the passing of a man of genuine integrity."
