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Dave Sexton

David 'Dave' Sexton (born April 6, 1930 in Islington, London) is a retired English football manager and player.

Playing career

Son of former professional boxer Archie Sexton, he started his playing career with West Ham United in 1948. Playing mainly at inside-forward, he would finish his career with time at Luton Town, Leyton Orient, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Crystal Palace. His biggest success came at Brighton, where he won the Third Division (South) Title in 1957–58.

Coaching and managerial career

He started off as a coach at Chelsea, before leaving to begin his managerial career at Leyton Orient for a brief spell in 1965. In 1966 he was appointed by Arsenal manager Bertie Mee as the Gunners' first-team coach, but a year later returned to Chelsea to become manager following the departure of Tommy Docherty. He led the club to FA Cup success in 1970 and the European Cup Winners' Cup a year later. Chelsea also reached the League Cup final in 1972, but lost to Stoke City. Sexton then fell out with several important players, such as Peter Osgood and Alan Hudson, who were subsequently sold. This, combined with other problems at the club, ensured that Sexton didn't come close to repeating his earlier success and he was sacked after a poor start to the 1974–75 season.

Shortly afterwards, he was appointed manager of Queens Park Rangers. With a team containing the likes of Stan Bowles and Gerry Francis, as well as players recruited from ex-club Chelsea, John Hollins and David Webb, Sexton took Rangers to within a point of the League title in 1975–76. They were top after playing their final game, but Liverpool's late win over Wolverhampton Wanderers denied them.

He took over at Manchester United – again succeeding Tommy Docherty – but his reign was characterised by dour football and was not popular with the fans. In appointing Sexton it appeared as if the United board had again opted for safety following the tumultuous tenure of Docherty.

His reign at Old Trafford failed to deliver any trophies and in the pressure atmosphere that was engulfing United, Sexton seemed an inevitable casualty. The highlight was an FA Cup final appearance in 1979, losing 3–2 to Arsenal in a dramatic match, and finishing as league runners-up to Liverpool in 1979–80. Sexton was dismissed in April 1981, despite having won his final seven games in charge, and managed Coventry City before going into semi-retirement.

Sexton also had a very successful period as coach of the England's Under-21 side, and won the UEFA Under 21's Championship twice, in 1982 and 1984. After that he went on the become the FA's first Technical Director at the FA's National School at Lilleshall in 1984. He also wrote a book on coaching a soccer team for coaches of all levels called "Tackle Soccer."

Honours

As a player

West Ham United

Second Division Title winner: 1954–55

Brighton & Hove Albion

Third Division (South) Title winner: 1957–58

As a manager

Chelsea

Manchester United

FA Charity Shield winner: 1977* (*Shared)
FA Cup finalist: 1979

'''England Under-21s

UEFA Under 21's Championship winner: 1982, 1984

Managerial statistics

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
Team	Nat	From	To	G	W	L	D	Win %
Leyton Orient		January 1965	December 1965	37	7	20	10	18.9
Chelsea		October 1967	October 1974	333	140	93	100	42.0
Queens Park Rangers		October 1974	July 1977	130	57	41	32	43.8
Manchester United		July 1977	April 1981	191	75	52	64	39.3
England Under-21s		1977	1990
Coventry City		May 1981	May 1983	88	28	39	21	31.8
England Under-21s		1994	1996