Jack Charlton 'changed Irish football forever'
The Football Association of Ireland has led the tributes to former manager Jack Charlton, who has died aged 85.
Charlton won the World Cup with England in 1966 and guided the Republic of Ireland to two successive World Cups, reaching the quarter-finals in 1990 and the last 16 and 1994.
The FAI said he "changed Irish football forever".
Taoiseach Michael Martin described Charlton as an “iconic figure” who “came to personify a golden era in Irish football”.
Meanwhile Irish President Michael D Higgins said he “brought Ireland to some of our most celebrated moments in Irish sporting history”.
Charlton became the first non-Irish manager of the Republic in 1986.
He successfully guided the team to their first major finals at Euro 88 in West Germany, then two years later led them to the World Cup quarter-finals at Italia 90.
Charlton, already hugely popular for making it to the tournament, won the hearts of a nation and the rest of the footballing world.
Further success followed at the 1994 USA finals, where Ireland lost to Holland in the last 16.
Charlton's captain Mick McCarthy, who himself has had two spells as Ireland manager, was among the many players paying tribute.
"Jack's passing will touch Ireland, England and the football world, but the loss to football will be felt in Ireland more than anywhere else,” he said.
"English fans will always remember Jack as one of their World Cup winners in 1966, but what he did with Ireland will, I suspect, mean even more to our fans and the country.”
Niall Quinn, a member of the 1990 World Cup quarter-final team, admitted his devastation at the news of Charlton's death.
"I'm sure I'm not the only Irish person who shed a tear or two this morning,” he said.
“I'm devastated.
"Jack Charlton led the band. He brought us, as players and fans, to places we never thought possible beforehand and gave us so many precious moments.
“He changed lives. For his players, he gave us the best days of our lives.”
Kevin Sheedy, who played under Jack Charlton for the Republic of Ireland at Euro 1988 and World Cup 1990, admitted the whole of the country loved him.
He told Sky Sports News: "It was Ireland's most successful period and the majority of the credit has to go to Jack.
“He got everyone playing for the country.”
Ireland's record goalscorer Robbie Keane posted on Instagram: "Thank you, Jack.
"You changed Irish football for the better - you gave hope to young kids like myself that it was possible to play in World Cups and that we weren't there to make the numbers up.”
He added: "You will live forever in our (hearts) - we're all part of Jackie's Army. Sleep well, Jack."