‘Chopper’ Harris leads tributes as legendary Chelsea boss Dave Sexton dies at 82

Sexton took over the reins at  Stamford Bridge from Tommy Docherty in 1967 and led Chelsea to a first FA Cup win in 1970 and a maiden European trophy the following season with victory over Real Madrid in the Cup Winners’ Cup final.

Sexton went on to manage Manchester United, again succeeding Docherty, while he also took QPR to within a point of a first top-flight title before spending much of his later career at the Football Association.

But it is for his exploits with Chelsea that he will be best remembered, and Harris, who played nearly 800 games for the Blues in the 1960s and 70s, praised his formidable coaching skills.

The 68-year-old said: “It’s a sad day, especially for the players that played under him. He used to spend hours on the training field. He was the best coach I ever worked with. I’ve got some great memories.”

Sexton was calm and methodical who was renowned for a technical approach to coaching that saw him appointed the FA’s first technical director at Lilleshall in the 1980s.

Harris said: “Dave was a very honest man who would pat you on the back. He came across as a bright lad. You knew when he was upset, you could see it in his face.

Sexton also led the England’s under-21s to European titles in 1982 and 1984, while his playing career included spells with West Ham, Luton, Leyton Orient, Brighton and Crystal Palace.

The FA’s director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, said: “It is a sad day for English football.

“Anyone who was ever coached by Dave would be able to tell you what a good man he was but, not only that, what a great coach he was.”

There was a minute’s applause before today’s Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues paid their own tribute to Sexton, who was given an OBE for services to football in 2005.

“Chelsea Football Club would like to express our enormous sadness and send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dave Sexton, who has died aged 82,” the statement read.

“Sexton is without doubt one of the greatest managers in Chelsea history having led the club to our first FA Cup in 1970 and the Cup Winners’ Cup a year later – our first European trophy.”

Peter Bonetti, the Chelsea goalkeeper during the Sexton era, told chelseafc.com: “He passed away peacefully last night. I’ve spoken to his wife and it’s come as a complete shock because he was such a lovely man. Everybody loved him and everybody respected him here at Chelsea and he will go down in the club’s history as being such a fantastic guy who brought us so much success.”

QPR also expressed their sadness at Sexton’s death, saying in a statement: “The club is desperately saddened to learn of the passing of former QPR manager Dave Sexton.

“Sexton was just a point shy of guiding Rangers to the 1975/76 league title – a position that still remains the club’s highest league finish. The club would like to extend its deepest condolences to Dave’s family and friends at this sad time. May he rest in peace.”