Ron was in charge of the England team from 1977 until 1982 and led England out in 55 matches.

He took England to two major tournaments, the European Championships in 1980 and the World Cup in Spain in 1982. Despite only making it through to the Second Round of the World Cup in Spain, England didn't lose a game at the competition.

FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking paid tribute to the man who guided him for West Ham and England.

He told TheFA.com: "Ron was one of the best coaches this country ever produced. He obviously played a key role in my career with both West Ham and England and one of the things that will always stand out for me was the way he interacted with his players.

"He used to ask us questions and make us part of the decision-making process, just as we would need to be when we went onto the field. He put the players at the centre of his coaching and made sure that we went on the pitch to express and enjoy ourselves."

Before taking charge of England Ron was extremely successful as manager of West Ham United, who under his reign won the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1965.

But his work at West Ham also influenced the success of England in 1966.

Sir Trevor continued: "At West Ham he introduced a continental style of play based around possession and keeping the ball and he also played a huge role in helping to shape certain individuals’ careers.

"Transforming Geoff Hurst from a wing-half into a centre-forward is of course something that gave the whole country benefit when he went on to score that hat-trick [against Germany].

"In his England coaching career, Ron was incredibly forward-thinking and, in involving Bobby Robson as part of his coaching set-up, he paved the way for his own successor.

"If you ask any of the players that played under Ron for England, from Kevin Keegan through to all the Liverpool boys that had come through the ‘Boot Room’, they all remember how enjoyable he made training and the whole experience of playing football for your country.

"In some ways it’s a great shame that football didn’t tap into Ron’s experience and abilities after ’82 but I will never forget what he taught me about the game and it’s certainly influencing the things I am doing and what I am trying to put in place at The FA today."

FA Chairman Geoff Thompson said: "Ron was a great manager who made an enormous contribution to the English game. He was a real football man and a true gentleman who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends."

Sir Geoff Hurst also paid tribute to Greenwood, saying: "I am really sad to hear this. It would not be overstating the case to say that Ron Greenwood was the single most influential figure in my career."

He continued: "I considered it a privilege to play for him. He opened the door to the world of modern football."