WANDERERS legend Nat Lofthouse joined in the tributes to Sir Walter Winterbottom, the first and longest-serving manager of England's national team, who died in a Surrey hospital on Saturday, aged 89.
Oldham-born Winterbottom played centre-half for Manchester United before his career was ended by injury in 1939.
He was appointed national director of coaching in 1946 before being officially being appointed manager the following year.
Lofthouse, who played under Winterbottom for England, said: "Walter was a great ambassador for English football. I would say he was ahead of his time, developing new coaching methods never seen in this country before.
"I learnt a lot about the game under Walter and he was the man that built the foundations that eventually helped England win the world cup in 1966. It is a sad loss to the game and the world of football will mourn his death."
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