A family statement said: "With the greatest sadness, we have to announce that Graham passed away at his home early this morning of a suspected heart attack. The family are devastated by this sudden and totally unexpected loss."

Taylor is widely regarded as Watford's greatest ever manager and, despite a turbulent and ultimately doomed spell in charge of England, became one of football's most respected figures during a career that spanned almost 50 years.

Taylor was born on September 15, 1944 in Worksop in Nottinghamshire to his mother Dorothy, a postwoman, and father Thomas, a sports reporter for the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph and from whom he first learned his love of the game.

He leaves his wife Rita and two daughters, Joanne and Karen.