With the football world celebrating The FA’s Sir Bobby Robson Day on Thursday, the fifth anniversary of his death on 31 July 2009, Albion boss Alan Irvine has added to the tributes.
And having had the pleasure of working under the former England manager when he was academy director at Robson’s boyhood club Newcastle United, he is ideally placed to reflect on the influence he had.
Sir Bobby Robson played for WBA in the 1950s and 1960s
"He was a fantastic man," revealed Irvine, who took time out of the preparations for his first season in charge of the Baggies to speak to TheFA.com.
"I had the pleasure of working very closely with him when I was at Newcastle and straightaway, as a person, he was someone who came over to speak to you and came across really well.
"The whole staff liked him, the players liked him and the fans obviously liked him.
"I loved his enthusiasm, his passion and his energy, from a man who wasn't young by the time he'd come to Newcastle."
With Barcelona boss Luis Enrique leading the tributes to Robson and his influence on the game during a spell in charge of the Spanish giants, Irvine also admits that Robson's way of coaching rubbed off on everyone he worked with or taught.
And former Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday manager Irvine believes the annual Sir Bobby Robson Day is a fitting tribute to the former Fulham midfielder.
"He probably influenced so many people, who then went on to influence others," he added.
"It's difficult to think of English coaching without Bobby Robson being at the top of that, his impact was huge and very, very far reaching.
"It's a fantastic idea and richly deserved as well because his life and his passing should be marked without any doubt."
Watch the full interview with Irvine in the media player above
