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Reaction: Tributes pour in for Jack Charlton who has passed away aged 85

On Saturday morning the news broke that the former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton has ...



Reaction: Tributes pour in for...
Soccer

Reaction: Tributes pour in for Jack Charlton who has passed away aged 85

On Saturday morning the news broke that the former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton has passed away. He was 85 years of age.

A World Cup winner with England in 1966 and a stalwart in the Leeds United defence throughout his entire playing career, spanning over 20 years, Charlton left his post as Newcastle United manager in 1986 to take over as the Republic of Ireland boss, where he remained in charge for the next decade.

In that time, Charlton led the national side to its first-ever major tournament at Euro 88, where Ray Houghton's famous looping header inspired a 1-0 victory over England. Two years later, Ireland made its debut in the World Cup, reaching the quarter-final before narrowly losing to the hosts Italy, courtesy of a Toto Schillaci goal.

Ireland were back at the next World Cup, USA 94, and once more reached the knockout stages, coming unstuck against the Netherlands in the Round of 16.

It was the Dutch again that provided Charlton's last opposition as the Ireland manager, when they soundly defeated the Boys in Green at Anfield in a Euro 96 playoff encounter.

Since that memorable six-year period between 1988 and 1994, Ireland has qualified for just three international tournaments and has yet to better the performance at Italia 90.

Charlton, who also managed Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday after retiring as a player, had been suffering from lymphoma since last year and had already been diagnosed with dementia.

As the news broke of Charlton's passing on Saturday morning, tributes have been pouring in throughout the world of football and beyond for a man affectionately known as 'Big Jack'; a figure who transcended sport to become an Irish cultural icon.


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Euro 88 Ireland Italia 90 Jack Charlton Tributes USA 94