by Bashmachkin Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:02 pm
Bobby Robson didn't really save Newcastle from anything; Kevin Keegan saved us from relegation into the third tier of English football and the financial turmoil that was ready to ensue. However, Robson did a huge deal for us also; after a spell of Premier League mediocrity under Dalglish and Gullit, he brought our dressing room together, signed us some quality players, made us play exciting, positive and very modern football, and ultimately made us one of the best clubs in the league; he gave us some really special and memorable nights in Europe; he resurrected the careers of Robert Lee and, to a lesser extent, Alan Shearer, who stand beside Robson as club heroes. I've always felt that he made a number of mistakes towards the end of his reign as our manager - but I think very fondly of Robson, I know that he was a real gentleman at heart, and I am thankful for the wonderful years he gave us.
I also have a huge deal of admiration for his career apart from Newcastle. It's certainly a mark of a great manager that he brought success to clubs in four different leagues over a period of four decades. It is remarkable to think of all the figures who openly credit him for giving them their starts in the game, or for giving them significant help towards their own successes - from Mourinho, to Ferguson, to the likes of Bryan Robson, Ronaldo, Figo and Gazza. As Mourinho has said in his quite touching tribute, in this way someone like Robson lives on within and without the game.
Home
