Dave Sexton was a highly regarded English football manager and coach, best known for his tactical acumen and calm, disciplined approach to the game. Sexton managed Manchester United from 1977 to 1981, guiding the club through a transitional period following the reigns of Tommy Docherty and Sir Matt Busby. Although his time at United did not yield any trophies, Sexton had a long and distinguished career in football management, most notably winning the FA Cup with Chelsea and helping to develop young talent for England.
Dave Sexton’s Time at Manchester United (1977–1981)
Dave Sexton took over as Manchester United manager in 1977, following the departure of Tommy Docherty, who had been dismissed despite leading United to an FA Cup victory that year. Sexton was known for his tactical knowledge and methodical approach to management, in contrast to Docherty’s more charismatic style. Sexton was brought in to build on Docherty's success and to help restore stability to the club.
Challenges and Tactical Approach
Sexton’s time at Manchester United was characterized by a shift towards a more defensive and disciplined style of football, which contrasted with the more free-flowing, attacking play United fans had grown accustomed to under Docherty. His tactical approach emphasized structure and organization, but despite these qualities, the team often struggled to score goals consistently. Sexton’s more cautious style did not always resonate with the Manchester United faithful, who were accustomed to a more adventurous brand of football.
Key Moments During His Tenure:
- League Performance: Sexton led Manchester United to a second-place finish in the 1979-80 season, narrowly missing out on the league title to Liverpool. This was the highest finish the club achieved under his leadership.
- FA Cup Final (1979): One of the standout moments of Sexton’s tenure was reaching the 1979 FA Cup Final, where Manchester United faced Arsenal. In a thrilling match, United fought back from 2-0 down to level the score at 2-2, only for Arsenal to score a late winner and take the cup with a 3-2 victory.
- Key Players: Sexton worked with talented players like Ray Wilkins, Steve Coppell, and Joe Jordan, but was unable to build a team that could consistently challenge for major trophies.
Lack of Silverware and Dismissal
Despite having a strong squad and guiding the team to decent league finishes, Sexton’s time at Manchester United was ultimately disappointing in terms of silverware. The team’s lack of attacking flair and failure to win trophies led to growing dissatisfaction among the club’s supporters. After a 7th place finish in the 1980-81 season, Sexton was dismissed in April 1981, ending a four-year tenure that had failed to bring the success that was expected of a Manchester United manager.
Post-Manchester United Career
After leaving Manchester United, Sexton took over at Coventry City, where he managed from 1981 to 1983. His career then shifted towards coaching and youth development, where he made a significant impact. Sexton managed the England U21 team from 1984 to 1990, leading them to successive European U21 Championship titles in 1982 and 1984. His work with England’s youth players helped develop some of the country’s future stars.
Legacy
Dave Sexton is remembered as a thoughtful and tactically astute manager, but his time at Manchester United was marked by underachievement, with no major trophies to show for his four-year tenure. His managerial career was highlighted by success at Chelsea, where he won the FA Cup in 1970 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971, but his disciplined, defensive approach did not fully translate into success at Old Trafford.
Despite his difficulties at Manchester United, Sexton’s legacy as a coach and youth developer is widely respected. His influence on the England U21 team and his broader contributions to English football coaching earned him recognition as one of the more thoughtful and influential figures in the game.
Summary
Dave Sexton was Manchester United’s manager from 1977 to 1981, a period marked by a disciplined and defensive style of play that ultimately failed to deliver the trophies the club expected. Sexton led United to a second-place finish in the 1979-80 season and to the 1979 FA Cup Final, but his lack of silverware led to his dismissal. While his time at United was not marked by great success, Sexton’s legacy as a manager and coach remains significant, particularly for his contributions to Chelsea, England U21, and English football as a whole. |
