It is with great sadness that The FA learns of the passing of Dave Sexton.

Sexton had two spells in charge of the England Under-21 team, most notably between 1977 and 1990 when he led them to back-to-back European titles, in 1982 and 1984.

A former player with Luton, West Ham, Leyton Orient, Brighton and Crystal Palace, Sexton began his coaching career at Chelsea.

His managerial career started at Leyton Orient in 1965 and he went on to manage Chelsea, QPR and Manchester United, before taking the reins with the Under-21s. He later took over at Coventry in the early 1980s.

Sexton led Chelsea to FA Cup glory in 1970 and then guided them to the 1971 European Cup Winners' Cup.

He was awarded an OBE in 2005 for services to football.

The FA’s Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking, said: "It is a sad day for English football.

"Anyone who was ever coached by Dave would be able to tell you what a good man he was, but not only that, what a great coach in particular he was.

"In the last 30-40 years Dave's name was up there with any of the top coaches we have produced in England - the likes of Terry Venables, Don Howe and Ron Greenwood.

"His coaching was revered."

A fuller tribute to Dave Sexton will appear on TheFA.com on Monday.