Graham Taylor: tributes pour in after death of former England manager aged 72

The football world has come together to mourn the death of the former England manager Graham Taylor at the age of 72 from a suspected heart attack.

Tributes from figures across the game have flowed for a man who enjoyed the highs the sport could offer and endured the greatest lows, but whose genial personality and human touch ultimately won him the affection of a nation.

Sir Elton John led the tributes. “I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Graham’s passing,” said the former owner of Watford, with whom Taylor made his name in the 1970s and 80s. “He was like a brother to me. We went on an incredible journey together. He took my beloved Watford from the depths of the lower leagues to uncharted territory and into Europe.

“We have become a leading English club because of his managerial wisdom and genius. This is a sad and dark day for Watford. The club and the town. We will cherish Graham and drown our sorrows in the many brilliant memories he gave us. I love you Graham. I will miss you very much.”

Sir Alex Ferguson also praised the man he called “approachable, open and honest”. The former Manchester United manager said: “Graham was one of the old-school managers. He started as a very young man of 28, having suffered a career‑ending injury as a player. He applied himself to every facet of football management. I have very fond memories of Graham. He was approachable, open and honest. If he could help you in any way, he always would. I was really shocked by this terrible news and I send my condolences to Graham’s wife and all of his family.”

John and Ferguson were not alone in the emotional tenor of their condolences. Luther Blissett who, alongside John Barnes, was the star of Taylor’s Watford side that finished second in the First Division in 1983 and reached the FA Cup final in 1984, said of his former manager: “All else in my football world fades into insignificance now. RIP great man from one who owes you so much Thankyou GT YOU were the true star.”

After 10 years at Watford, Taylor moved on to Aston Villa in 1987 where he first won promotion to the top flight and then two seasons later claimed a second‑place finish. Paul McGrath, who played for Taylor at Villa while also in the throes of alcoholism, posted the following message of thanks on Twitter: “Devastated to hear of Graham’s sad passing, what a gentleman. In my darkest days himself and [Taylor’s wife] Rita were always there for me #RipGrahamAHero.”

After Sir Bobby Robson stepped down following a successful World Cup in Italy in 1990, Taylor was made England manager, a job that was unfortunately to define his professional career in the eyes of many. An ignominious exit from Euro 92 was followed by failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. Taylor endured grotesque headlines and saw his reputation further ridiculed in a warts-and-all TV documentary, An Impossible Job.

The players Taylor selected for international duty were, however, effusive in their tributes. Gary Lineker, who was substituted by Taylor during his final England match meaning he could never equal Sir Bobby Charlton’s England goalscoring record, said on Twitter: “Very sad news that Graham Taylor has passed away. An outstanding manager, lover of football and thoroughly decent man.”

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Lineker’s Match of the Day colleague and England successor Alan Shearer shared similar sentiments, saying: “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 Gascoigne also paid tribute. “His enthusiasm for life and football was incredible,” he said.

Taylor resigned from England in 1993 and was replaced by Terry Venables. Venables, who managed QPR while Taylor was at Watford, said news of Taylor’s death had hit him “like a sledge hammer”.

“Graham was a leader”, he said. “He knew what he wanted, whether it was the coaching, or [later] on the radio. Me and Graham, alongside David Pleat at Luton, we were rivals. It was a fantastic time and we were very lucky.”

After England, Taylor spent a season at Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning to Watford where, once again, he won promotion, this time to the Premier League. After a final short return to Villa, Taylor retired from the game, becoming a radio pundit and honorary lifetime president at Watford. In 2014, the Vicarage Road club renamed the Rous stand the Graham Taylor stand in his honour.

Sean Dyche, now manager at Premier League Burnley, was one of the last to benefit from Taylor’s mentoring, when he helped his former player land his first managerial job with the Hornets. “I’m devastated at the news,” Dyche said. “He played a massive part in me taking over at Watford. He helped me get the job then let me get on with it. He always resisted the temptation to get involved or interfere, he knew I had to learn for myself. He had his fair share of knocks in his managerial career but overall I think the respect for him within the game runs pretty deep.”