Football mourns loss of legendary manager Terry Venables at age 80
The former England boss – affectionately known as El Tel after enjoying club success in Spain – passed away on Saturday after a long illness.
His family said in a statement yesterday: “We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness.”
Gareth Southgate, the current Three Lions coach, and Gary Lineker, who played for Venables for both club and country, led tributes to the man who guided England to the semi-finals of Euro 96, a tournament that captured the nation’s imagination.
Southgate said: “Any player will have great affinity with the manager that gave them their opportunity, but it was quickly evident playing for Terry Venables that he was an outstanding coach and manager.”
“Tactically excellent, he had a wonderful manner, capable of handling everyone from the youngest player to the biggest star.”
“He was open-minded, forward-thinking, enjoyed life to the full and created a brilliant environment with England that allowed his players to flourish and have one of the most memorable tournaments in history.”
“He was open-minded, forward-thinking, enjoyed life to the full and created a brilliant environment with England that allowed his players to flourish and have one of the most memorable tournaments in history.”
Venables famously went straight to Southgate to console him after he missed the crucial spot-kick in the Euro 96 semi-final penalty shootout against Germany.
It ended up being the manager’s last game in charge before he stood down to fight a series of court cases. Venables had given England one of its greatest summers since the World Cup glory of 1966 – later describing it as the “best time of my life”.
Match of the Day host Lineker, who played for the charismatic Dagenham-born boss at Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, said: “Devastated to hear that Terry Venables has died.”
“The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for. He was much more than just a great manager. He was vibrant, he was charming, he was witty…he was a friend.”
Venables was a swashbuckling player for Chelsea, Spurs and Queens Park Rangers – winning two England caps along the way – before fashioning an impressive managerial CV at Crystal Palace, QPR, Barcelona and Spurs before landing the Three Lions job.
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He made an unexpected return as chairman of Portsmouth in 1997 after buying control of the club for £1 and he also managed Australia before returning to Palace briefly ahead of stints at Middlesbrough and Leeds United.
The Football Association said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Terry.
“Having won two senior caps as a player, Terry went on to manage the Three Lions between 1994 and 1996 – proudly leading us to the semi-finals of Euro 96.” Alan Shearer, who played for Venables at Euro 96, said: “I owe you so much. You were amazing.”
Venables won a Spanish championship and reached the European Cup final with Barcelona and won the FA Cup with Spurs, whose players wore black armbands and led a minute’s applause ahead of yesterday’s Premier Leagueclash against Aston Villa.
Former England defender Gary Neville said Venables was “the most technically gifted British coach we’ve produced”.
He added: “[He was] a man who gave me a chance to play for my country and became without a shadow of doubt my No1 England coach. It was a real sadness when he left at the end of Euro 96. I felt it never got as good again for England as it was under him.”
It was Venables who possibly got the best out of Georgie genius Paul Gascoigne for England.
The former Three Lions star posted a tribute on X, saying: “Such a sad day, cheers boss xxxx”
Born in 1943, Venables joined Chelsea in 1958 as a 15-year-old and made his debut against West Ham in 1960.
He played 202 games for the West London club and won the League Cup before spells at Tottenham, QPR and Palace. While playing Venables co-wrote detective novels, which were later turned into the successful TV series Hazell about a wise-cracking cockney private eye.
After retiring as a player during the 1974-75 season, Venables began coaching alongside Malcolm Allison at Palace, who were then in the Third Division. He succeeded Allison in 1976 and, after winning promotion to the Second Division in 1977, took them into the top flight as champions in 1979.
A four-year stint with QPR, and another promotion to the First Division, followed between 1980 and 1984 before Venables was appointed Barcelona manager on the recommendation of then England boss Bobby Robson.
He earned the nickname El Tel and inspired a visiting nine-year-old David Beckham. Venables was sacked by Barcelona in 1987 and he returned to England to manage Tottenham, winning the FA Cup in 1991.
Before the final, remembered for Gazza’s career-threatening knee injury, he held Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough’s hand as they walked out at Wembley. Venables was later accused of improper business conduct, as well as claims he once paid Clough a bung.
With Lord Alan Sugar he won a takeover battle for Spurs and was made chief executive, but his relationship with the then chairman soured and he was sacked in 1993.
In January 1998 he stepped down as Portsmouth chairman and agreed to a High Court order banning him from holding company directorships for seven years.
Venables, who owned a hotel in Alicante, is survived by his second wife of 32 years Yvette.
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