Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has paid tribute Sir Bobby Robson after the former England manager passed away on Friday morning.

The 76-year-old passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. A family statement read: "It is with great sadness that it has been announced that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.

"He died very peacefully this morning (Friday) at his home in County Durham with his wife (Elsie) and family beside him."

Sir Bobby, a former England international, managed Fulham, Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Barcelona, and England, who he guided to the semi-finals of the World Cup 1990.

A re-enactment of that World Cup semi-final against Germany was staged at St James's Park last weekend in aid of the Bobby Robson foundation and, after originally being asked to form part of the guard of honour for the teams, Leeds United manager Grayson played 75 minutes of the match, alongside many of the heroes from the 1990 World Cup.

"I was really shocked and saddened when I heard the news on Friday morning," said the Leeds boss. 

"I was there at the weekend and, although I've played against his teams before, it was the first time I'd really met him.

"He's been battling for a while, but having seen him as recently as Sunday, it came as a great shock.

"It's a great loss to football, and you will see how much he meant to people over the next few days when you read and hear people paying their own tributes to him.

"He was a top manager, not just in England, but abroad as well, and he will be hugely missed."

Sir Bobby was a close and trusted friend to former Leeds United head coach John Carver and our thoughts go out to him as well as the family of Sir Bobby.