PHIL Parkinson has paid tribute to former England manager Graham Taylor, who passed away at the age of 72.

The Wanderers boss described Taylor as a “gentleman of the game” and believes his achievements at club level were overshadowed slightly by a difficult spell in charge of the Three Lions.

The sad news broke as Parkinson was preparing for his press conference at Lostock today – with assistant manager Steve Parkin also describing Taylor as a “legend”.

“It is very, very sad news. He had an incredible managerial record at every level in English football,” Parkinson told The Bolton News.

“He was very well-respected in the game. I’ve come across a lot of people who worked with him and they all speak highly of him as a person.

“He probably didn’t get the credit he deserved because he got to the very pinnacle, managing his country.

“That is an incredible achievement. Even though that period did not go well, I think we’ve seen with subsequent England managers that it is not an easy job.”

Former Wanderer and PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor also paid tribute to the ex-England manager and told BBC News: “It’s a real shock. He was a real gentleman. I’ve known him since we were both 15 at England schoolboy trials.

“It was sad the way that the England job turned out for him, but that’s happened to a lot of England managers.

“He was a real quality human being. He cared about his fellow pros and the good of the game. He should be remembered as a man who added to the game, who really showed his ability as a manager.

“He thought a lot about the game, was in his own mould. I’m proud and privileged to have been able to call him a friend.”

Ex-Wanderers midfielder Peter Reid was one of many to tweet their response with a simple ‘RIP Graham Taylor’ message while Bolton-based former Premier league referee Mark Halsey also added his condolences.

Halsey tweeted: “Very saddened at the sudden passing of Graham Taylor. Absolute gentlemen .. invited me to Train @WatfordFC he helped my career enormously RIP.”

Taylor managed Lincoln, Watford (twice), Aston Villa (twice) and Wolves.

His much-maligned spell in charge of the national team lasted from 1990-1993 and he left the job after failure to qualify for the World Cup in USA in 1994.