´Devastated´ Gazza praises ´second dad´ Robson

Former England star Paul Gascoigne said Friday he was devastated by the death of Sir Bobby Robson, who he described as being “like a second dad”.

Gascoigne played under Robson when England reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The midfielder ended the tournament in tears when he was booked in the penalty shootout defeat to Germany.

Gascoigne told ITV News: “I’m speechless. I’m devastated. Bobby was like my second dad. I was like a son to him.

“I can’t describe how much he meant to me. I’ve just been crying for three hours, and I’ve come to see my mum and my dad. It’s just unbelievable.

“He gave me a chance to play in the World Cup. I can’t really talk that much because I just want to cry, that’s all.

“I love him. And his wife Elsie – I’ll always be there for her. I’m sort of numb.”

Robson, who once described Gascoigne as “daft as a brush”, made a last public appearance at Sunday’s charity match between an England XI and a German representative side staged to raise money for the 76-year-old’s cancer charity.

Gascoigne was among the former Italia 90 stars on show at the game.

“He kept himself alive for the game and I thought after the game he might pass away. I’m going to miss him so badly.”