We never had a huge squad and we never had a great deal of choice. But in many ways that helps because you've got to make do with what you've got. You don't have too many problems about picking the team you just hope that everyone turns up on the day.

He battled to be fit for the final but failed and consequently chose to retire from playing. Leeds made an immediate impact on their first season back in the top flight; they were runners up in the league losing the title to Manchester United on goal average and were beaten 2–1 by Liverpool in the FA Cup final. In 1972 Leeds finally won the FA Cup and Charlton completed his set of domestic medals.

In 2006 Leeds United supporters voted Charlton into the club's greatest ever XI. In his first season as a manager he led Middlesbrough to the Second Division title for which he was voted Manager of the Year in 1974.