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Former Republic of Ireland manager and England World Cup winner Jack Charlton dies aged 85

FORMER REPUBLIC of Ireland manager and England World Cup winner Jack Charlton has died.

The 85-year-old passed away in his sleep at his home in Northumberland this past Friday.

Charlton had been suffering from a long-term illness.

He is survived by his wife Pat Kemp and their three children.

His family said in a statement: "Jack died peacefully on Friday 10 July at the age of 85. He was at home in Northumberland, with his family by his side."

The older brother of Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton, Jack spent his entire career with Leeds United, making a record 773 appearances for the club over a 23-year spell.

Joining the Elland Road club at the tender age of 15, Charlton went on to twice help the Whites gain promotion from the old second division as was part of a side that also won the League Cup in 1968 and FA Cup in 1972.

We'll never forget.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam ☘️#RIP pic.twitter.com/5lxVX326vI

— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) July 11, 2020

“Big Jack” also earned 23 caps for England, partnering captain Bobby Moore in central defence during the Three Lions’ victorious 1966 World Cup campaign.

As a manager, he enjoyed promotions with Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday.

To Ireland fans, however, he will always be remembered as the man who guided the Green Army to their first World Cup in 1990, where they defied expectations to reach the quarter-finals.

He also led Ireland to qualification for Euro 1988, where they came within a whisker of reaching the semi-finals and the 1994 World Cup, where Ireland enjoyed a memorable 1-0 victory over eventual finalists Italy.

The Football Association of Ireland were among those to pay tribute to Charlton.

“The FAI is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jack Charlton, the manager who changed Irish football forever,” they said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with Pat and the family at this sad time.”