W. Winterbottom, 89; Coached England’s National Soccer Team

Sir Walter Winterbottom, 89, the first full-time manager of England’s national soccer team, died Saturday at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, England. No cause of death was given.

From 1946 to 1962, Winterbottom guided the team through four World Cups. His record of 78 wins in 139 matches is the best of any postwar England coach, even though he failed to win any major title.

Born in Oldham, Winterbottom played as a defender for Manchester United before a spinal disease ended his playing career in 1939. He served as a wing commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II and later worked as a physical education teacher.

Named chief coach by the Football Assn. in 1946 and manager a year later, he not only arranged his players’ travel but sometimes cooked their meals.

He was knighted for his service to sports in 1978.