Soccer

Former Ireland assistant manager Maurice Setters has died aged 83

Jack Charlton’s assistant also played under Matt Busby for Manchester United

Ireland assistant manager Maurice Setters and manager Jack Charlton after the 1990 World Cup quarter-final. Photograph: Inpho

Mon Nov 23 2020 - 17:06

Former Ireland assistant manager Maurice Setters has died aged 83.

He served as Jack Charlton’s right-hand man during two World Cups and a European Championship. He also managed the Ireland Under-21s.

During his playing career Setters made 194 appearances for Manchester United under Matt Busby during the 1960s.

“Manchester United is deeply saddened to hear that Maurice Setters has passed away at the age of 83,” United said on their official website. “We send our condolences to Maurice’s family and friends at this difficult time — rest in peace.”

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Devon-born Setters, who started out as a player at Exeter, joined United from West Brom in 1960 and soon established himself as club captain.

He was best man at Bobby Charlton’s wedding in 1961 and won an FA Cup winner’s medal when United beat Leicester at Wembley in 1963.

Setters moved on to Stoke in 1964 and, after spells at Coventry and Charlton, he retired as a player and became manager of Doncaster before linking up with Charlton at Sheffield Wednesday.

The pair then guided Ireland to their first World Cup finals in Italy in 1990 and repeated the feat four years later at the finals in the United States.

FAI president Gerry McAnaney added: "it is with a heavy heart that we learned today of Maurice's death, another man so integral to the glory days of Irish football. Maurice was with Jack Charlton every inch of the way as they led Ireland to the 1988 European Championships and the World Cups in Italy in 1990 and the USA four years later.

“There were many greats nights along the way with Jack and Maurice and I know how much pleasure they took as honorary Irishmen in that 1988 victory over their own England in Stuttgart. This has been a tough year for Irish football. We saw how the nation mourned Jack Charlton earlier this year and I know I speak on behalf of everyone involved with the Irish football community when I pass on our deepest sympathies to Maurice’s family. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.”

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