 Robson 's achievements with Ipswich earned him an offer from the Football Association to become the England national coach ; he declined an offer of a ten @-@ year contract extension from Ipswich director Patrick Cobbold . On 7 July 1982 , two days after England were knocked out of the 1982 World Cup , Bobby Robson left Ipswich to succeed Ron Greenwood as coach of England . During his 13 @-@ year tenure at Ipswich , Robson brought in only 14 players from other clubs , relying instead on players developed through the club 's youth programmes . In 2002 , in recognition of Robson 's achievements with the club , a life @-@ size statue of him was unveiled opposite the Cobbold Stand at Portman Road . On 7 July 2006 , Robson was named as honorary president of Ipswich Town Football Club , the first since Lady Blanche Cobbold who had died in 1987 . 
