Francis enjoyed a glittering playing career that ended at Hillsborough, but he would go on to become the club’s manager. Known as Britain’s first ever £1m player, Francis was a two-time European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest and was part of Wednesday’s 1991 League Cup triumph.

As manager of the Owls, he led the club to the finals of both the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993. The former England international also took his talent overseas, representing Detroit Express, Sampdoria, Atalanta and Wollongong City.

Tributes to Francis have started to pour in, with Gary Lineker among those to have shared touching comments. He tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear that Trevor Francis has died. A wonderful footballer and lovely man. Was a pleasure to work alongside him both on the pitch and on the telly. RIP Trevor.”

Francis enjoyed a glittering playing career that ended at Hillsborough. Image: Allsport UK/Allsport

Writing on Instagram, Francis’ former Wednesday teammate Viv Anderson said: “Just heard the unbelievable news regarding Trevor Francis, he was such a wonderful person and fabulous teammate he will be sadly missed, my condolences go to his family and friends.”

His final spell in football was at Crystal Palace, who he was in charge of between 2001 and 2003.

Former Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham City, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest forward Trevor Francis dies at 69