Dave Sexton

Did You Know?

• Sexton was the son of former professional boxer Archie Sexton.
• He began his professional career with Luton Town in 1951 after spells with non-league clubs Newmarket Town and Chelmsford City.
• His biggest playing success came at Brighton, where he won the Third Division (South) Title in 1957–58.

Coaching and managerial career

Dave Sexton began his coaching career at Chelsea before moving into management for the first time with Leyton Orient in 1965. He became Fulham’s coach in January 1966, taking over from Ron Burgess, and within five months kept the club from relegation. Despite the club’s disappointment, he left at the end of that season. In August 1966, Arsenal manager Bertie Mee hired him as the club’s first-team coach, but a year later Sexton returned to Chelsea as manager after Tommy Docherty’s exit.

At Chelsea, he won the FA Cup in 1970 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971. The team also reached the League Cup final in 1972, losing to Stoke City. However, Sexton clashed with players like Peter Osgood and Alan Hudson, who were sold. Combined with other issues at the club, he could not replicate his earlier success, and he was sacked early in the 1974–75 season, which ended with Chelsea’s relegation.

A few weeks later, in October 1974, Sexton became Queens Park Rangers manager, replacing Gordon Jago. With a squad featuring Stan Bowles and Gerry Francis, plus former Chelsea players John Hollins and David Webb, he led Rangers to within a point of the league title in 1975–76. A 3–2 loss at Norwich City in their final away game ended a 14-match unbeaten run of 13 wins and one draw. Rangers were top after their last home match against Leeds United on 24 April 1976, but Liverpool’s late 3–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 4 May 1976 denied them their first league championship. Second place remains their highest league finish, with UEFA Cup qualification as a consolation.

Sexton took over at Manchester United in mid-1977, again succeeding Tommy Docherty. His time there was marked by dull football, and he was unpopular with supporters. The United board seemed to choose safety once more after Docherty’s turbulent spell, which had seen him sacked for having an affair with the physiotherapist’s wife. Docherty’s four-and-a-half-year tenure included relegation from the First Division, an immediate promotion, strong league finishes, and an FA Cup win the season before Sexton arrived.