Former
Chelsea, Fulham and Portsmouth manager Bobby Campbell has died, aged 78.
The Liverpool-born former wing-half was the most recent Blues manager to win
promotion to the top-flight, doing so as Second Division champions with 99
points in the 1988-89 season.
Campbell then led Chelsea to a fifth-place finish in the old Division One
before being relieved of his duties after an 11th-place finish in 1990-91,
and then he was immediately installed as chairman Ken Bates' assistant.
The ex-Liverpool, Wigan, Portsmouth and Aldershot player then became a
trusted adviser to Chelsea's current owner Roman Abramovich, watching games
next to him regularly at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking in 2012 about their relationship, Campbell said: "I respect him and
I like him. I have been invited to watch games with him for seven or eight
years and I have learned a lot from him."
Chelsea issued a statement on their official website on Saturday morning
which read: "Chelsea Football Club is greatly saddened to announce the
passing of our former manager Bobby Campbell at the age of 78.
"All at the club send our deepest condolences to Bobby's family and friends
and our players will wear black armbands in his memory at today's game at
Stoke."
The west London club added: "Chelsea was very close to Bobby Campbell's
heart and he will always be close to ours."
Jason Cundy, who played under Campbell, wrote on Twitter: "RIP Bobby
Campbell. Gave me my debut at Chelsea I loved playing for him. Saw him & his
family regularly at Chelsea. Thinking of them."
Ex Blues midfielder Jody Morris also tweeted: "RIP Bobby Campbell...was
always down at Cobham watching the academy boys train..enthusiasm for the
game still as strong as ever."
And former Chelsea centre-back David Lee, who also played under him, said:
"RIP Bobby Campbell. He gave me my Chelsea debut which is something I'll
always treasure."
After coaching spells with Portsmouth, QPR, Arsenal and Fulham, Campbell
began his managerial career with the Cottagers between 1976 and 1980, in
which time he made a £1m transfer profit and signed George Best for a season
as well as working with Bobby Moore.
Fulham Football Club tweeted: "Everyone at Fulham Football Club was saddened
to learn of the passing of former coach and manager Bobby Campbell."
He took charge of Portsmouth between 1982 and 1984 and then Chelsea
followed, in addition to coaching roles back with Aldershot and QPR.
Portsmouth tweeted: "Portsmouth Football Club are saddened to learn of the
death of former Pompey player and manager Bobby Campbell RIPBobby."
Arsenal tweeted on Saturday: "Everyone at Arsenal sends their thoughts and
wishes to family and friends of former first-team coach Bobby Campbell
following his sad death."
QPR said: "QPR are saddened to hear of the passing of former assistant
manager Bobby Campbell, who has died at the age of 78."
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