LONDON: Graham Taylor, the former England football manager, has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 72, his family announced yesterday.
Taylor, who had a playing career with Grimsby Town and Lincoln City, was a successful manager in English football’s top flight with Watford and Aston Villa, guiding both to second-place finishes in the old first division.
It was his ill-fortune, though, to be remembered for his turbulent reign as England manager between 1990 and 1993, when he was widely criticised for failing to take the national team to the 1994 World Cup finals.
Amid vicious and sometimes personal vitriol, Taylor remained a dignified and charming personality and went on to become a much-loved and admired figure within the English game.
After further spells as manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Watford for a second time and Aston Villa, the son of a journalist made a successful career in the footballing media as a radio pundit.
Devastated
“With the greatest sadness, we have to announce that Graham passed away at his home early this morning of a suspected heart attack,” his family said in a statement.
“The family are devastated by this sudden and totally unexpected loss.”
Taylor’s death prompted a wave of affectionate tributes.
Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s leading scorer, said on scial media: “Completely shocked by news of Graham Taylor.
“Always held him in the very highest regard - the man who gave me my first England cap. So sad.”
Paul Hayward, the Daily Telegraph’s chief sports writer, spoke for many within an industry that had given Taylor a rough ride during his England reign when he wrote: “His time with England might have soured him. He refused to let that happen.”
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