Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson has admitted he will lose his battle with lung cancer 'sooner rather than later'.

Robson has been battling a fifth bout of the illness and has accepted doctors' prognosis that he is unlikely to beat it.

Speaking to The Sun, he said: 'I have accepted what they have told me and I am determined to make the most of what time I have left.

'I am going to die sooner rather than later. But then everyone has to go some time, and I have enjoyed every minute.

'I have been fortunate to survive this long. It is thanks to the doctors and their dedication.'

Sir Bobby, who took England to the brink of a World Cup final in Italy in 1990, has enjoyed a football career spanning six decades - from playing days with Fulham and England, to managerial triumphs first with Ipswich and then as national coach at two World Cups, to continental coaching appointments.

He later returned to his native north-east to take over at Newcastle and most recently spent a short time as consultant for the Republic of Ireland.

i agree

heartbreaking stuff

Sir bobby was a great manager and has an eviable record to boot

I may have only seen him coaching at NUFC, but he not only was a good tactician but a genuinly great guy...no none could say a bad thing about him...which is surprising considering the fact that sir bobby was the same man who brought jose mourinho into the management game after hiring him as he's translator...

...my thoughts go out to him and his family as he will be sorely missed

...is it too much to ask for a statue of him a st james in honour of him, along with alan shearer of course

One of football's greats, very sad news.

bummer

i've started a thread against him

at least we dont post useless threads on a forum when we are bored (well most of us)
seems to me ur the loser

Guys, lets keep the banter out of this thread

Sad loss, tremendous player

omg
stop making new accounts