Ron: I'll meet Desailly to say sorry

The remark had surprised many, since Atkinson was widely regarded as having contributed to the progress of black players in an era when casual racism was rife.

He added: "I have worked with more black players, I would think, than any other manager in the country and I bet none of them has ever heard me say it to them."

Speaking later at the gates of his home in Barnt Green, Worcestershire, Atkinson claimed he had made his comments in anger while "thinking more as a fan". But he stressed that he thought they were not being transmitted, adding: "We didn't hear it until the following day. I was only talking to myself, into a monitor set.

"I had taken off the headphones I was looking at some playbacks on the game. At that stage I was thinking more as a fan. We all wanted to see them go through to the final."

Atkinson went on: "It was not meant as a racist comment; it was meant in anger and really because I wanted them to win." He added: "One of the pleasing things is that a number of black players have come out today and been supportive. I have had Cyrille (Regis) and 'big' Paul Williams on the phone. I was one of the first, if not the first, to play black players."

The former manager of numerous clubs, including Manchester United, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion, added that he would be prepared to meet Ghanaian-born Desailly and offer a personal apology. "I would be perfectly happy to do that," he said. "You have got to have respect for somebody who has done what he has done in football." However, Atkinson admitted his error had left him little option but to leave his £200,000-a-year job.

Black footballers and race campaigners today reacted with anger and dismay at his conduct. Former Chelsea and Celtic defender Paul Elliott said: "I think it's inexcusable, even more so considering he has made such a positive contribution to development of black players in the Seventies."

Elliott said the last time he saw Atkinson was, ironically, at an anti-racist "Kick It Out" event four months ago celebrating 10 years' work to rid football of bigotry.

Piara Powar, the Kick It Out director, said he was not surprised at the resignation but stressed that it was important to acknowledge Atkinson's good record of working with black players in his time with Aston Villa.

A spokesman for ITV Sport said there was little option but to accept his resignation, adding: "It was a regrettable lapse by a respected and experienced broadcaster."