Football has seen lots of influential characters. There have been many players and managers who have left their mark on the game, but few will ever match the significant of the great Sir Bobby Robson.
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Robson, who was a solid, spectacular forward during his playing days, took his reputation to new heights when he turned Ipswich Town into a real powerhouse in the 1970s, but that was just the beginning of perhaps the most influential managerial career of the last century.
Although his eight years with England may seem more important on paper, Robson independently changed the future of football in July 1992, when he went to Portugal to take over responsibility for Sporting CP.
Mourinho was Sir Bobby Robson’s interpreter on #Sporting. He will return to José Alvalade Stadium at #UCL pic.twitter.com/XbUyfBY5al
– Mourinho Fan Club (@MourinhoFanClub) September 9, 2014
Unable to speak a word of Portuguese, Robson needed the help of a troubled upstart named Jose Mourinho, with whom he built a close relationship and eventually invited to become his assistant manager when he moved to Porto in 1994.
“What did he give me? I could not describe in words, and I would not go in the direction of football,” Mourinho told Sky Sports News 2019. “It’s unbelievable what he means to the people and for me it’s hard to talk about him. “
Joining the fun in Porto was a 16-year-old Andre Villas-Boas, who joined the scouting team and eventually got help through his coaching badges at a tender age of 17.
Mourinho never shyes away from discussing the effects Robson had / Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Robson already built a famous team of future stars, who showed his unmatched eye for talent in the back room and used his gentle, caring personality to give these youngsters the education that would soon make them two of the biggest names in the game. in just a few years.
However, this influence would soon increase when Robson and Mourinho took over at Barcelona in 1996 and managed a side that included the future world champion Pep Guardiola.
Fast-forwarding until March 12, 1997 and Robson faced the sack at Camp Nou. Both his and Mourinho’s careers were on the line when Barcelona went 3-0 down to Atletico Madrid in the first half of a Copa del Rey match. Robson looked ready, and his final replacement, Louis van Gaal, was already present. Barcelona were sure that Robson was repaired.
A tactical switch saved Robson’s job / Ben Radford / Getty Images
Robson’s half-time conversation may well be the most important moment in the last football memory.
The Englishman helped rebuild his side’s confidence and brought in a tactical change that led to Barcelona scoring five goals in the second half.
Robson kept his job, Mourinho’s credibility was intact, but in another twist of fate, the manager’s actions helped convince Guardiola that he wanted to be manager when he hung up his shoes.
“I learned a lot,” Guardiola said during the film of Robson’s career, Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager. “I thought ‘I want to be a boss’ because of how he handled that situation. It was unbelievable. It does not matter what the media says, everyone is trying to drive you: always try to be calm.”
Robson inspired Guardiola to become manager / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Robson retired from management in 2004, when he had to kick back and reap the rewards of all his hard work.
He saw Mourinho lead Porto to the Champions League in 2004, before lifting two Premier League titles with Chelsea between 2004 and 2006. Robson even managed to capture Mourinho, who led Inter to the 2009 Serie A title before tragically losing his match with lung cancer that summer.
Although his death was obviously devastating, it came at such a moment in history. Robson lived long enough to see Guardiola win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League during his first year as Barcelona manager. His work was done.
Robson knew he had played an important role in sculpting the careers of these two great greats, but he never learned his full impact.
Picture of Luis Enrique, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola … This is where it all started. In Barcelona in 1997, they all worked under Sir Bobby Robson. ? pic.twitter.com/jvnvXT6kNd
– Old Days Football (@OldDaysFootball) May 21, 2020
It’s almost hard to understand the number of trophies Robson did not get to see his disciples lift. Mourinho has added 11 major awards in three different countries since Robson’s death. Guardiola has taken in 31. Luis Enrique, part of his Barcelona team, won nine at the Camp Nou. Villas-Boas has also lifted seven in Portugal and Russia.
Without Robson, perhaps some of the greatest memories of the last 20 years have never happened. Football today looks like it does because of him, and few people will ever have the honor of saying that.
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