Sir Walter Winterbottom CBE

Sir Walter Winterbottom CBE was the first Director of Coaching for the Football Association and first full-time manager of the England national football team. Sir Walter was a teacher in Oldham when he signed a part-time contract with Manchester United in 1936. He left his teaching post to train as a physical education teacher at Carnegie College, whereupon graduating, he was appointed as a lecturer.

Sir Walter's playing career was curtailed by illness and during World War II he served in the Royal Air Force as Head of Physical Training. In 1946 Sir Walter became the England men’s national football team manager, leading them to four consecutive World Cups. In 1962, Sir Walter became the Secretary for the Central Council for Physical Recreation and in 1978 was knighted for services to sport.