BOBBY ROBBY-TEMP!!

As The England F.A. searched for a new England manager (head coach?) in 2000 to replace ex-Magpies' boss, Kevin Keegan (remember him?) who had resigned, and the EFA committee was finding a genuine lack of candidates. 

FA Chief Executive, Adam Crozier, decided to "buy a little time", so he called on a "temp" in the form of an 67 year old ex-manager, who had trouble remembering players' names! So Crozier made an approach to Newcastle United's owners to employ Bobby Robson on this day in 2000. The FA asked Newcastle club chairman, Freddy Shepherd, to permit Robson to take over in a part-time caretaker capacity, but the request was refused. Fat Freddy Shepherd refused to play ball and let Bobby return to the national team. Robson guided Newcastle from bottom of the Premier League to a fourth-place finish in the 2001-2 season.

Bobby Robson's record as England manager from 1982–1990 was 95 matches, 47 wins, 21 draws, 27 losses in 95 games, for a win percentage of approximately 49.5%. During his tenure, he led England to two World Cups, reaching the quarter-finals in 1986 and the semi-finals in 1990. 

After 1991, Robson was repeatedly diagnosed with cancer. He had several operations and in 2006 was operated on for a brain tumour. This, on occasion, affected his work; while at Porto, for example, Robson had malignant melanoma, which resulted in his missing the first few months of the 1995–96 season. On 17 October 2006, it was revealed that Robson had been given the all-clear and was set to see out his contract as consultant to the Irish team. Robson revealed on 7 May 2007 he had been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time. On 17 May 2008, Robson was the guest of honour at the 2008 FA Cup FInal at Wembley Stadium when Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City 1–0. He presented the trophy to the victorious captain, Sol Campbell. 

Full name	Robert William Robson
Date of birth	18 February 1933
Place of birth	Sacriston, County Durham, England
Date of death	31 July 2009 (aged 76)
Place of death	Beamish, County Durham, England
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position	Inside forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1950–1956	Fulham	152	(68)
1956–1962	WBA	239	(56)
1962–1967	Fulham	192	(9)
1967–1968	Vancouver Royals Canadians	0	(0)
Total		583	(133)
International career
1957–1962	England	20	(4)
Managerial career
1967	Vancouver Royal Canadians
1968	Fulham
1969–1982	Ipswich Town
1982–1990	England
1990–1992	PSV Eindhoven
1992–1994	Sporting CP
1994–1996	Porto
1996–1997	Barcelona
1998–1999	PSV Eindhoven
1999–2004	Newcastle United
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

He also acted as a pundit for ITV during the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2024.

Robson was known for his man-management skills, his composed and demanding yet caring style as a coach, and for his ability to motivate his players and build positive relationships with them, making him a well-liked figure among fans and players alike. His profile on the website of the "National Football Museum Hall of Fame" describes him as "a tough taskmaster," who was "fiercely loyal to those who gave their all, and never failed to get the very best out of his players."  Gary Lineker opined that Robson "wasn't the greatest tactician of world football," but that "he had a good understanding of the game," describing him with the following words: "He was fiercely loyal to the players who served him well, he understood the game and he had this magnetic enthusiasm, not just for football, but for everything in life. You just wanted to go out there and run yourself into the ground for him and the team."  Mourinho, who initially served as an interpreter and later as an assistant coach under Robson at Barcelona, praised him for his leadership and for his methodology in the attacking phase of the game.

Bobby's statue at Portman Road, Ipswich. While at Cambridge University, I played for the Blues against an Ipswich XI. at our home pitch, as part of our run up to the Varsity Match. Robson came along to watch the game, Football meant that much to him and he respected all those who played the game. He stayed after and chatted to the students; he really was a manger of the people!