LEGENDARY Scottish footie manager Sir Matt Busby helped England win the 1966 World Cup, a secret report has revealed.
The Manchester United icon masterminded the Reds European Cup win in 1968.
But two years earlier he handed Three Lions gaffer Sir Alf Ramsey his detailed musings and scouting report on opponents Portugal, including tips on how to edge their semi-final clash.
His never-before-seen memo was stashed in an old suitcase of Sir Alf’s for more than 50 years with tactical masterplans, diagrams and training schedules.
In a letter to Sir Alf wishing him well before the game, Sir Matt picked out Portuguese hotshot Eusebio as the biggest threat to English hopes of glory.
"He wrote: “Dear Alf . . . first of all congrats — keep it up. I know you have knowledge of Portugal but have included a report which may help.”
The dugout great, from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, warned: “Eusebio, will take on players and hit every conceivable ball from 30 or 40 yards.
"I do suggest Eusebio should be tightly marked for the whole game.”
He signed off: “Wembley final the next stop is the wish of Yours Truly, Matt.”
Bobby Charlton scored twice as the Auld Enemy beat Portugal 2-1.
Skipper Bobby Moore then lifted the trophy for England after a 4-2 Wembley win over West Germany — and they haven’t stopped talking about it since.
Sir Alf gifted the letter and his other footie notes to neighbours the Couplands in Ipswich, Suffolk. Their family found the dusty brown case after the couple died.
Its contents are tipped to net more than £1,500 at auction in Norfolk on Thursday.
Auctioneer Rob Henshilwood said: “The Busby report really stands out. He comes across as a gentleman who wished Sir Alf all the best for the World Cup.”
Sir Matt was Old Trafford boss for nearly 25 years. He died in 1994 at 84. Alf died five years later at 79.
As well as United, Sir Matt was also Scotland manager.
He was appointed shortly before the Munich Disaster and though he missed the 1958 World Cup as a result of the plane crash, he did oversee the national team for two games and handed Denis Law his first Scotland cap.
Sir Matt may have helped in the semi-final – here’s how the rest of their games went…
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