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.
Beyond sad to have to say goodbye to my beloved Grandad, Jack Charlton. He enriched so many lives through football, friendship and family. He was a kind, funny and thoroughly genuine man and our family will miss him enormously. pic.twitter.com/MR4i5WgAMP
— Emma Wilkinson (@emmawilkitv) July 11, 2020
We’ll spend the next few days on OTB Sports paying tribute to Jack Charlton’s incredible influence on Irish Football [@offtheball] https://t.co/BOGfdr8EgM https://t.co/x5U629PsEB
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) July 11, 2020
Absolutely gutted 😢
Father figure to me for 10 years, thanks for having faith in me. Sleep well Jack, Love ya 💔
Thinking of Pat, John and Peter at this sad time 💚 🇮🇪 ☘️ #thanksforthememories pic.twitter.com/qstCVbCK4C— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) July 11, 2020
We'll never forget.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam ☘️#RIP pic.twitter.com/5lxVX326vI— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) July 11, 2020
Kami turut berduka atas meninggalnya Jack Charlton, saudara laki-laki Sir Bobby dan anggota skuat juara Piala Dunia 1966 Inggris.
Belasungkawa kami yang terdalam ditujukan kepada semua keluarga Charlton atas kehilangan yang sangat menyedihkan. pic.twitter.com/pwWxuMCleJ— Manchester United Indonesia (@ManUtd_ID) July 11, 2020
Really saddened to hear the passing of the great Jack Charlton , absolute hero in Ireland growing up. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends. “We re all part of Jackies army “ #ripjackcharlton 🇮🇪🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/qSgX6eAjfA
— Shay Given (@No1shaygiven) July 11, 2020
As an 8 year old I went to the homecoming of the Ireland team from Italia 90, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets! Jack Charlton started something that we are all benefiting from! Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. ⚽️🇮🇪🙏🏻 #Ripjack
— Andy Reid (@AndyReidXI) July 11, 2020
So saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Charlton who brought such honesty and joy to the football world.He personified a golden era in Irish football-the Italia 90 campaign being one of pure joy for the nation. He gave us magical memories.Thank you Jack.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 11, 2020
All of Ireland is sad to hear of the passing of Jack Charlton. He lifted the nation and gave us some truly incredible memories through those wonderful summers of 88, 90 and 94. #ThankyouJack
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) July 11, 2020
Jack Charlton was in Jervis Centre maybe 15 years ago launching a DVD, I think. Grew up loving his Ireland team so wanted that autograph. All I had for him to write on was a joke Xmas present I bought for my brother: 'The Truth About Chuck Norris.' Jack signed with a smile.
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) July 11, 2020
I expect this to be No 1 in Ireland again by next week #jackcharlton https://t.co/Jr9LF8B5ko
— Declan Cashin (@Tweet_Dec) July 11, 2020
RIP Jack Charlton an honorary Irish man. I can remember listening to this song all through the summer of 1990 when I started work in Jim Bolger’s https://t.co/2Huh2V9YVf
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) July 11, 2020
Always liked about Jack Charlton that his pub of choice in Dublin was the Hill 16 in the north inner city.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) July 11, 2020
Sad to hear of the passing of Jack Charlton. Played against him for club & country. Condolences to his family & loved ones RIP #RIPJack #JackCharlton pic.twitter.com/5gdgMKylgM
— Cliff Jones (@Cliff_Jones11) July 11, 2020
Jack Charlton RIP ... he gave so much to Ireland and made an indelible mark on our sporting history, Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam ...https://t.co/Iswmvpkg4Q
— The Wolfe Tones 🇮🇪 (@wolfetones) July 11, 2020
One of my childhood heroes. RIP Jack Charlton. He joins Trevor Cherry & Norman Hunter as Leeds legends who’ve died in 2020. Promotion to where @LUFC belong would be a fitting tribute. https://t.co/MioSqTHVPK
— Bill Neely (@BillNeelyReport) July 11, 2020
Ah Jack Charlton. A giant of the game. My Granddad's face would light up and his voice quicken when talking about 'Jackie'.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) July 11, 2020
Jack Charlton brought such joy and excitement - and almost unbearable tension - to my life and to the lives of so many Irish people all those years ago. He made our world brighter and better. Today is a sad day. RIP #jackcharlton
— Conor Pope (@conor_pope) July 11, 2020
R.I.P Jack Charlton
Was privileged to meet and be in the company of Jack on numerous occasions as both lived in Hexham,a very funny man who made me laugh everytime I seen him,I made him a few quid he used to put £10 on me to be 1st goalscorer for @NUFC when he came to the games— Mick Quinn (@mickquinn1089) July 11, 2020
RIP big Jack Charlton. One the nicest , funniest , straightest and honest human beings put on this world. Wether it was going fishing anywhere in the world or just talking sport ( especially football) he was the best company you could ever have. Lovely man.
— Barry Hearn (@BarryHearn) July 11, 2020
Another one of my heroes & football legend has sadly passed away RIP Big Jack Charlton 🏴 🇮🇪 A World Cup winner but that was just the icing on a wonderful & glorious career
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) July 11, 2020
773 - Jack Charlton made more appearances for @LUFC than any other player in the club's history; he also won more @England caps as a Leeds player than any other (35). Legend. pic.twitter.com/xP4h4OVR9u
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 11, 2020
Growing up in an Ireland where the news was dominated by unemployment, emigration, the heroin epidemic and the Troubles, Jack Charlton was the man who taught me that things don’t have to be sh*t.
— Paul Howard (@AkaPaulHoward) July 11, 2020
