Former Hammers boss Lyall dies
19/04/2006 - 10:56:59Former West Ham and Ipswich manager John Lyall died suddenly last night, aged 66.
He was acknowledged as one of the finest coaches of his generation and spent 33 years at Upton Park, succeeding Ron Greenwood as manager in 1974.
Lyall, who died of a heart attack, attended the funeral of Greenwood, his mentor and close friend, only two months ago.
Between them they were responsible for taking the Hammers into the modern era.
Lyall served West Ham as office boy, player, coach and manager and was boss from 1974 until his dismissal following relegation in the 1988-89 season.
He remains the last West Ham manager to win a major trophy – the FA Cup in 1980. The Hammers play Middlesbrough in the semi-final of the cup on Sunday.
