STEVE MCMANAMAN: Terry Venables was a brilliant man manager, he filled me with confidence and was ahead of his time in the way he saw football

• Tributes have been made to Terry Venables who has passed away, aged 80 
• Venables lead England to the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championships
• Inside Postecoglou’s Tottenham: IAKO looks at culture and philosophy changes

Terry Venables will forever hold a special place in my memories. You will immediately think I’m going to start talking about Euro 96 but that isn’t the case.

To give you context, I have to go back further than that, to one of the most significant days of my career.

It was November 16, 1994, and 25 minutes into a friendly against Nigeria at Wembley, Rob Lee had got injured. Terry called me over, told me how much faith he had in me and told me to go and enjoy myself. That was him to a ‘T’ — a brilliant man-manager, always able to fill you with confidence.

Please don’t make the mistake of assuming, though, that an England camp under Terry was some kind of free-for-all, where the players could do what they wanted and he was just someone who was one of the group having a laugh.

The thing I remember most about Terry was his intelligence, his ability to subtly tweak and change formations and tactics through a game, never mind from one game to another. 

Former England manager Terry Venables, who managed the Three Lions between 1994 and 1996, has passed away, aged 80

Venables (second from left) enjoyed a successful managerial career with several clubs including Tottenham, QPR, Barcelona, Crystal Palace and Leeds

He was appointed as England manager in 1994, leading the side to the semi-finals of the European Championships in 1996

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He was ahead of his time in the way he saw football and clever with the way he got the best out of people.

He put faith in our squad, treating us maturely. Yes, he’d let us have a few beers through camp during Euro 96 but this didn’t have anything to do with caving into demands. This, I learnt later in my career at Real Madrid, was something he had picked up in Barcelona.

I found it to be the case in Spain that managers had no anxiety about putting the emphasis on players to self-police situations.

Gareth Southgate pays tribute to Terry Venables

Gareth Southgate says ‘outstanding and forward-thinking’ Terry Venables lived ‘life to the full’ as Three Lions boss pays tribute to late England manager after his death and credits him for thrilling Euro ’96 run 

They were far more relaxed and dealt with us like adults rather than imposing rules and regulations. If you put trust in people, you find they want to pay you back.

How I wish we could have paid Terry back by winning Euro 96. You are judged as an international footballer in tournaments — friendlies and qualifiers don’t build reputations, believe me — and that wonderful summer was by far the high point of my 37-cap international career.

Terry was in the spotlight going into that first game against Switzerland — I wouldn’t say he was well treated by certain parts of the media — but he never once got flustered and even, after that opening 1-1 draw, he set a brilliant tone. I say without fear of contradiction he was admired by everyone.

His staff were fantastic: Ted Buxton, Bryan Robson and Don Howe more than played their part but Terry was the driving force and his influence dictated the way our campaign mapped out, the highlight being what we did to the Netherlands when beating them 4-1.

Running around those wide open spaces, knowing how and where everyone would be on the pitch, was incredible; one of those rare moments in football when you feel unstoppable.

Venables, pictured with Gareth Southgate, earned two England caps as a player 

His Euro 96 squad enjoyed a fine tournament but were knocked out by Germany on penalties

Many from the football world have paid tribute to Venables, including Paul Gascoigne 

Venables became known as ‘El Tel’ after leading Barcelona to the Spanish league title in 1985

Sporting world mourns loss of ‘vibrant, witty man who was a joy to play for’

Gary Neville 

An extremely sad day. One of my great regrets is he didn’t continue as England manager. He was a great character and was on to something — he would almost predict the outcome of games and change the system. I’ve got no doubt this was the most technically gifted, tactically aware coach England have produced.

Terry Venables will be remembered as an England fan. Nationally he will be remembered for bringing those great times at Euro 96. He was a joy to play for.

Ange Postecoglou 

If you ask about a person who embodies everything this football club (Tottenham) has always wanted to be, it’s Terry. It wasn’t just about the way he managed or coached, but the person he was. He influenced Australia too as manager of the national team; he almost got us to the (1998) World Cup. The biggest testament is that anyone I’ve ever come across who has worked with him will say he is by far the best coach, manager and tactician they have come across.

Gareth Southgate

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 and created a brilliant environment with England that allowed his players to have one of the most memorable tournaments in England history. A brilliant man who made people feel special.

Jamie Redknapp

Every day working with you was an education. Euro 96 was one of the best times of my life, thank you for believing in me and giving me my debut for England. I owe you so much.

David Beckham 

I met Terry in Barcelona and while training at Tottenham at the age of 9. He was one of our greatest England managers and loved by players and fans.

Paul Gascoigne 

Such a sad day, cheers boss xxxx.

Gary Lineker 

Devastated. The best, most innovative coach I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for. He was vibrant, charming, witty and a friend. He’ll be hugely missed.

Alan Shearer 

Extremely sad news. RIP Boss. I owe you so much. You were amazing.

Stan Collymore 

Vivacious, funny, a super coach, a man who lived life to its fullest.

Cliff Jones 

Sad to hear of the passing of team-mate and friend Terry Venables. A man of many talents.

Frank Bruno 

I remember how he got the whole of England into believing we could win Euro 96. A sad, sad loss.

He wanted me to enjoy playing for England and, that night, the enjoyment was off the scale.

We probably should have won the tournament.

To learn of his passing, then, was incredibly sad. I hadn’t seen him for a while and it’s a reminder that you have to keep in touch with the people who mean something to you.

Thank you for the memories, Terry. I can’t speak highly enough of you.

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