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January 13, 2017

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Ex-coach of England Taylor dies

GRAHAM Taylor, a former England coach who was labeled a “turnip” by the tabloids for failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, has died. He was 72.

Taylor died early yesterday of a suspected heart attack, his family said in a statement.

Taylor, who also coached Aston Villa and Watford, reached the pinnacle of English management when he was hired by the national team in 1990. England qualified for the 1992 European Championship, but was eliminated in first stage. But the failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the US was a blot on Taylor’s earlier accomplishments.

Taylor guided Watford from the fourth division to the first division, an FA Cup final and European competition in five years from 1978. He then took over at Villa, guiding it to promotion to the top-flight and a second-place finish in 1990.

The news of his death drew a shocked reaction as stars paid tributes.

“Completely shocked by news of Graham Taylor. Always held him in the very highest regard — the man who gave me my first england cap. So sad,” former England captain Alan Shearer tweeted.

Stoke striker Peter Crouch, who played for Taylor at Villa, tweeted: “Sad news about Graham Taylor. Had so much respect for him. Gave me my premier league debut.”




 

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