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David SextonEnglish footballer and football coach.
Date of Birth: 06.04.1930
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Dave Sexton
Dave Sexton was an English footballer and football coach, known for his successful career as both a player and a coach. He was born in 1927 and was the son of professional boxer Archie Sexton. However, Dave chose to pursue a career in football instead.
Playing Career
In 1948, Dave signed his first professional contract with London-based club West Ham United. He primarily played as an inside forward and also played for clubs such as Luton Town, Leyton Orient, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Crystal Palace. He achieved his greatest success with Brighton & Hove Albion, winning the championship title of the Third Division South in the 1957/58 season.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Sexton transitioned into coaching and joined the coaching staff of Chelsea. In 1965, he briefly served as the head coach of Leyton Orient before returning to Chelsea in 1966 as the first-team coach. He later became the head coach of Chelsea, succeeding Tommy Docherty. Under his leadership, Chelsea won the FA Cup in 1970 and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1971. In 1972, Chelsea reached the final of the League Cup but lost to Stoke City.
However, Sexton's relationship with some key players, including Peter Osgood and Alan Hudson, deteriorated, leading to their eventual sale. This, along with other internal problems within the club, resulted in Sexton's dismissal after a disappointing start to the 1974/75 season.
Shortly after his departure from Chelsea, Sexton was appointed as the head coach of Queens Park Rangers. With a team consisting of players such as Stan Bowles, Jerry Francis, and former Chelsea players John Hollins and David Webb, Sexton competed for the championship title in the 1975/76 season but ultimately finished just one point behind Liverpool.
In 1977, Sexton took charge of Manchester United, replacing Tommy Docherty once again as the head coach. However, his cautious and academically oriented style of play made him unpopular among the fans. Despite his tenure, Manchester United did not win any trophies during his time at the club. He was eventually dismissed in April 1981, despite the team winning seven consecutive matches prior to his departure.
Sexton then went on to coach Coventry City for two years, successfully keeping the club in the top division. In 1983, he ended his coaching career. However, he continued to achieve significant success as the coach of the England youth team, winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championships in 1982 and 1984. In 1984, he became the Technical Director of the Football Association at the National School of Football in Lilleshall. He also wrote a book called "Tackle Soccer," which serves as a coaching guide for teams of all levels.
In his later years, Sexton resided in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, where he had been living since his appointment as the head coach of Coventry City in 1981. In his honor, a building in the town center was reconstructed and is now known as "Sexton House," housing offices and shops.
