Few footballers had the privilege of having a legend as their manager…

Former Newcastle stalwart Steven Taylor has told Tribalfootball what it was like to play under the tutelage of Sir Bobby Robson.

Sir Bobby took charge of Newcastle between 1999 and 2004 for his final stint as a manager. Robson guided the club to some of their best Premier League performances in their history, earning consecutive European qualification places from 2001-2004.

For a football manager, being tactically knowledgeable is a clear prerequisite to the job while man management will dictate the environment your players become accustomed to.

Taylor reveals that it was Sir Bobby's character and personality that had him stand head and shoulders above a vast majority of football managers.

"He was a very passionate man, and he had an incredible way of managing his players," said Taylor in an exclusive interview with Tribalfootball.

"Some days I'd be frustrated on the pitch or in training, I'd storm to his office and be ready to give him an earful about everything I was feeling.

"He has this ridiculous ability to put a spin on it, put his arm around you and before you'd even said anything he would talk to you in a way I'd never seen. After moments like that I never wanted to let him down, it was an honour to put on the shirt every day."

Taylor added that Sir Bobby treated him as a first teamer despite leaving school at a young age and not pursuing his academics.

"Sir Bobby told me if I left school there was no mucking about, I'd come straight into the first team set up and I'd be training against top players like Alan Shearer, Gary Speed, Shay Given.

"At times you get overwhelmed training against players like that, but that sort of environment toughens you up as a young lad."