As a footballer, he was a creative, deep-lying forward currently the height of fashion in the Premier League. As a manager, he resides among the finest born on these shores and architect of the great Leeds United team.
They won the title twice, succeeded in Europe and this year celebrate the 50th anniversary of their one and only FA Cup triumph.
Yet he found himself branded a traitorous money-grabber upon his exit from the England job. The FA issued a 10-year ban and though it was eventually overruled he never worked again in English football.
Don Revie (middle) secured himself as one of the best English managers ever while at Leeds
With no chance to repair his reputation before his death at the age of 61, Don Revie was the first victim of cancel culture, according to his biographer Chris Evans, the Labour MP for Islwyn in south Wales.
'You'd have thought Don Revie committed a crime,' says Evans.
'He created Leeds, went to England and then disappeared without a chance to redeem himself before he died or the chance to refashion his image in the waves of football nostalgia that followed. Three years as England manager overshadows 30 years of innovation.'
Brian Clough, in contrast, retains a strong posthumous presence in popular culture, inspiring books and films against the backdrop of his achievements at Derby and Nottingham Forest.
Revie guided his triumphant Leeds side to two league titles as well as their only ever FA Cup
Among them David Peace's bestselling The Damned United novel of 2006, and subsequent film with a youthful Clough portrayed by Michael Sheen as he fails in succeeding Revie at Leeds, sacked after 44 days. For anyone born in this century, this is the go-to Clough while Revie is the humourless grump played by Colm Meaney.
'Sheen's Clough made Clough cool again,' says Evans. 'Every good story needs a nemesis. Don became the villain.'
Revie's playing career is easily overlooked such was his work as manager of Leeds. He was a deep-lying forward, often deployed as a second striker, scoring four goals in six appearances for England and displaying early hints about his tactical mind.
He was crucial to Manchester City in the mid-Fifties, often deployed like a modern false nine. 'Only a master footballer like Revie can make the plan succeed,' declared Tom Finney.
Quickly hailed the Revie Plan, it helped City to successive FA Cup finals. They lost to Newcastle in a season when Revie was the Footballer of the Year, beating Birmingham at Wembley a year later.
Pep Guardiola has helped make the false nine fashionable again, although Revie's features do not leap out at the Etihad Stadium. Images of the 1956 FA Cup win are more likely to feature Bert Trautmann or captain Roy Paul.
Brian Clough famously lasted just 44 days after he tried to replace Revie (right) at Leeds
Revie was appointed player-manager at Leeds aged 33 in 1961. They were near the bottom of the second tier, with no major honours and rugby league dominated the city's sporting landscape until he set about improving the club.
They got better coaches, better kit and better training equipment. They got better hotels for overnight stays.
'Instead of things being done to suit directors things were done for players,' recalled Jack Charlton in his 1996 autobiography. The all-white of Real Madrid was adopted and the club crest changed. It was a genuine revolution.
Bobby Collins, signed from Everton, set the standard in the dressing room. Johnny Giles arrived from Manchester United. But the budget was tight in the early days so a restless centre half Charlton was placated and promising youth-team players nurtured.
Revie relied on his tactical acumen and attention to detail, with dedicated scouting and dossiers on opponents at a time when only one game a year was broadcast live on TV.
He generated a family atmosphere, cared for his players and took an interest in their lifestyle. He liked to see them settled, preferably married, and encouraged carpet bowls and bingo rather than dance halls and nightclubs.
'Don would sit down with the young lads and talk to us about the great players like Tom Finney and Stanley Matthews,' Eddie Gray tells Sportsmail. 'About great teams like Hungary and Real Madrid with Alfredo di Stefano.
Revie (left) was a stickler for detail ands he set a standard that helped transform Leeds United
'He'd call you into his office for a chat and pass you a glass of sherry with eggs and milk in to build you up. He was thinking about diet years ago. He would send us back to our digs three days a week with a steak.'
Leeds were promoted in 1964 and cut through Division One in their first season, beaten to the title by Manchester United on goal average and to the FA Cup by Liverpool in extra time. The trophy roll started in 1968 with the League Cup and Fairs Cup. A year later, they were champions, losing twice in 42 games.
Mick Jones and Allan Clarke added a lethal threat up front but Revie struggled to rid the perception that his team was defensive, tied to his tactical plan, and talented individuals were not cut free to perform. He had made them solid. Taught them the value of clean sheets, especially in European games, and they fought for each other, sometimes literally. They were hard, masters in the art of intimidation and could spoil a game if necessary.
Off the pitch, the dressing room policed itself as the best ones always do. When Joe Jordan arrived at 18 from Morton, he was designated the peg between Scotland legends Peter Lorimer and Gray.
'I was put there on purpose, to learn
