After leaving United in 1973 he was player-manager for one season for Preston North End and after another short and unsuccessful spell in football management he joined the board at Old Trafford. He was awarded the OBE in 1969, the CBE in 1974 and a knighthood in 1994.
He had a haircut that some considered very humorous (bald on top, with the side bits grown long and combed over the top). His brother Jack Charlton was also a football player and was a defender at Leeds United F.C.