Icons: Bryan Robson
It's time to explore another football icon. This time it's Bryan Robson.
A former player and manager that is held in high regard by so many in English and world football.
The start of a fantastic career
Bryan Robson started his career with West Bromwich Albion in 1972, making over 200 appearances and serving as club captain. During his time at West Brom, he scored 46 goals in 245 appearances. In 1981, he moved to Manchester United. This is where he made a name for himself.
Becoming a Manchester United legend
He very quickly became the club's longest-serving captain. During his time there, he won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one Football League Cup, two FA Charity Shields, and a European Cup Winners' Cup. Known as "Captain Marvel," Robson was voted the greatest-ever Manchester United player in a 2011 poll of former players, conducted for a book celebrating the club's 19th league title.
One of his finest performances for the club came in 1984. He helped Manchester United overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Barcelona in the European Cup Winners Cup. He scored the first two goals in a match that is often regarded as the greatest in the history of Old Trafford.
In his first nine years at Manchester United, he only won two FA Cups. However, in his later years, he would earn a lot more success. His third FA Cup triumph in 1990 was seen as the turning point in United's history under Sir Alex Ferguson. The following year, they won the European Cup Winners Cup. In 1992, Robson and United won the League Cup.
Throughout his time as a player, there was an accolade that he craved more than any other. This was the league title. Robson finally became an English champion in his final two seasons, and despite only playing 40 times in that period, Robson's experience was deemed a key ingredient in that success.
Robson the England international
Robson represented England 90 times between 1980 and 1991, making him the fifth-most capped England player at the time. His 26 goals placed him eighth on the all-time scoring list. He captained England 65 times, a record only surpassed by Bobby Moore and Billy Wright. Bobby Robson once said that Bryan, along with Alan Shearer and Kevin Beattie, was one of the best British players he had ever worked with.
An interesting managerial career
Robson began his managerial career as a player-manager with Middlesbrough in 1994, retiring from playing in 1997. Over seven years at Middlesbrough, he led the team to three Wembley finals, albeit all losses, and secured promotion to the Premier League twice. Between 1994 and 1996, he also served as assistant coach to England manager Terry Venables, including during Euro 96.
He later returned to West Bromwich Albion as manager for two years, helping them avoid relegation after being bottom of the league at Christmas, a feat not achieved in 14 years. You can see how Robson responded to West Brom's 2005 great escape in the video below. The footage, uploaded in 2015, is from the official West Brom YouTube account.
His managerial stints with Bradford City and Sheffield United were less successful, with Bradford being relegated from the EFL Championship after just six months, and his time at Sheffield United lasting less than a year without achieving promotion.
On 23 September 2009, Robson was appointed manager of the Thailand national team, a position he resigned from on 8 June 2011. Subsequently, on 1 July 2011, he was named "Global Ambassador" for Manchester United.
