‘He was a leader who popularised the game here’

ALF RAMSEY’S reply to Jack Charlton as to why he’d been selected for his England debut at the age of 29 in 1965 was stencilled into Charlton’s coaching philosophy when he entered management. ‘I pick the best players for my pattern of play; I don’t always pick the best players.’

Nowhere was it more evident than when he managed the Republic of Ireland from February 1986 until December 1995.

Charlton was utterly convinced his way was right and would bring success, even if that meant there were casualties among those who preferred a more cavalier style of play. He told the Irish players in a three-nation event in Iceland in 1986 to believe in him, and to trust him.

Those who did saddled up for a decade of highs as Ireland reached three majors finals between 1988 and 1994.

John Giles, a former Leeds United teammate, and a former Ireland manager too, acknowledged the astonishing feats of his fallen comrade, who has passed away at 85.

‘We never agreed on things in football in 10 years at Leeds. A lot of players wouldn’t agree what Jack was doing but he wouldn’t stand any nonsense. He gave leadership.

‘I did criticise him (as Irish manager) as I believed with the players we had we could have done better. Jack was a leader, who popularised the game in Ireland, and did a huge job with the Irish team. I fully respected him.’

Giles also felt Charlton evolved under Don Revie ‘into the best centre-half in the First Division for at least five years’.

He scored over 100 career goals and is ninth in the all-time top league scorers for Leeds.

Eamon Dunphy, another critic of his managerial style, acknowledged Charlton’s contribution to Irish culture and identity.

‘We’d never qualified for a major championship. Jack took us to three.

‘When we got to Euro ’88, in our first game we beat England. That was hugely significant for Ireland as a country. He took us to the World Cup quarter-finals in 1990, and were only beaten by the hosts.

‘In the USA, we beat Italy who went on to reach the final. All of those moments transcend soccer, and soccer tactics.’

Of all the stories yesterday, former Irish captain Andy Townsend recalled a beauty after Ireland lost 1-0 to Italy in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Charlton had sent Packie Bonner to the showers, knowing the ’keeper was smarting from the goal he conceded before half-time, which followed a stinging shot from Roberto Donadoni.

Charlton took a pull on a ciggy, turned to Townsend and said: ‘Even the f ***** g Pope would have saved that, Andy.’

Packie Bonner spoke of Charlton’s immense presence and how he was almost better known for his success with Ireland than for his status as a World Cup winner with England.

John Aldridge recalled how the players ‘would run through a brick wall’ for Charlton and thanked him for ‘the best 10 years of my life’.

Alan Kelly hailed Charlton’s magnetism. ‘When he walked into a room, you waited to see what he was about to say. There was always a nugget in there.’

Irish manager, Stephen Kenny, said: ‘To qualify for three major tournaments, two World Cups and a European Championship, was an exceptional achievement.’

‘Those tournaments also showed us how a successful Irish football team can lift and inspire the nation.’

Charlton admitted he cried when it was time to leave the Irish job, knowing in his heart ‘I’d wrung as much as I could out of the squad.’ Yesterday, the tears flowed for him.