Dave Sexton, Manchester United manager

In 1977, the flamboyant Tommy Docherty was replaced as manager of Manchester United by the more studious Dave Sexton. Sexton was manager for four seasons.

Dave Sexton was born in London in 1930. He played professional football throughout his twenties, appearing for Luton Town, West Ham United, Leyton Orient, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. After playing, he went into coaching and coaching led him into management. He had managed Leyton Orient, Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers when he came to Old Trafford.

Sexton inherited a successful team, if not a particularly deep squad. To those already there, he added a number who went on to enjoy significant Old Trafford careers: Gordon McQueen, Joe Jordan, Ray Wilkins, Kevin Moran and Gary Bailey. Unfortunately, under Sexton, Manchester United failed to win any trophies. They lost to Arsenal in the last minute of the 1978-1979 FA Cup final and, the following season, 1979-1980, were runners-up to Liverpool in the League. Many supporters became restless. Not only were Liverpool still dominant but Manchester United weren’t even playing entertaining football. Just two near-misses, and fairly unexciting fare, meant that at the end of the 1980-1981 season, Sexton was dismissed.

Sexton was probably more a coach than a manager. He was shy and studious and hated the public duties required of the top man. He bought pretty well, yet his teams played dull football. Some, disparagingly, thought this mirrored the character of the man. Yet even they didn’t doubt Sexton’s integrity. He was widely recognised as a good man who knew his football. He just didn’t set Old Trafford alight. After leaving Manchester United, Sexton became manager of Coventry City. For many years he coached the England under-21 team and was also the first Technical Director at the FA's National School at Lilleshall. He was replaced as Manchester United manager by Ron Atkinson.