Sir Bobby Robson

Bobby Robson was appointed Newcastle manager in 1999 following the resignation of Ruud Gullit with the club 19th in the league having taken only 1 point from the first 7 games. Robsons first league game was billed as a relegation fight with opponents Sheffield Wednesday being the only team below Newcastle in the Premiership Table. However, Newcastle won the game 8-0 with Alan Shearer scoring five times. Following that win, Newcastles fortunes slowly improved and by the end of the season Newcastle had finished 12th in the league.

In 2000 the FA approached Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd to ask if Bobby Robson was available to become caretaker manager of England following the resignation of Kevin Keegan, just request was rejected. In 2001-2002 just two years after Robson had saved Newcastle from relegation they were in the Champions League after a 4th placed finish in the league. He quided Newcastle to the second group phase, despite losing the first three group games without scoring a goal, Newcastle won the remaining three and a late winner from Craig Bellamy in Rotterdam gain qualifcation from the group..

That season also saw Newcastle come third in the league, until April they were on the fringes of a title challenge, the first real indication of Newcastle challenging for the title since Keegan resigned in 1997. This challenge ended when Manchester United won 6-2 at St.James' Park.

Robson was knighted in 2002 for serives to football and in 2003 was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

During his time at Newcastle, Robson found himself in personal battles with his players luxury lifestyles and the politics of the Premier League. Aplit also opened up with the management who failed to keep Robson informed over transfer deals and in August 2004 he was dismissed as manager, despite being told he would be allowed to see out his contract until the end of the season.

Info

Full name: Sir Robert William Robson
DOB: 18th February 1933
Place of Birth: County Durham, England
Position: Striker

Facts

Bobby Robson signed Jermaine Jenas in 2002, the pair share a birthday with Bobby being exactly 50 years older.

Robson was sacked by Fulham in 1968 but was not informed by the club, he found out via the newspapers.

Robson said of Diego Maradona's infamous goal: "It wasn't the hand of God. It was the hand of a rascal. God had nothing to do with it... That day, Maradona was diminished in my eyes forever."