Terry Venables, former coach of England, Barcelona and Tottenham, passed away at the age of 80. Venables, who had a distinguished career as a player with two international caps, was in charge of England reaching the semi-finals of Euro 96.
“We are completely devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness,” Venables’ family said in a statement. The statement was included. “At this incredibly sad time, we ask that we be given privacy to allow us to mourn the loss of this lovely man who we were so lucky to have in our lives.”
Relating to: Terry Venables: a life in pictures
known as Venables El Tel After a period with Barcelona, where they won La Liga and reached the European Cup final, he had a successful, colorful and sometimes controversial career. Although he played more than 500 league matches for Chelsea, Tottenham, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace between 1960 and 1974, he is best known for his achievements as a manager.
“I was devastated to hear of Terry Venables’ death. The best, most innovative coach I ever had the privilege and pleasure of playing for,” Gary Lineker wrote on his former Twitter account, X. “But he was much more than a great manager; he was energetic, charming, He was witty and a friend. He will be greatly missed. My love and condolences to Yvette and family. RIP Terry.
England manager Gareth Southgate praised Venables as “a brilliant man who makes people feel special”. Southgate missed the crucial penalty in the semi-final against Germany and Venables’ team fell behind in Euro 96 on home soil.
“Every player will have a great affinity with the manager who gave them the opportunity, but playing for Terry Venables it became immediately clear that he was an outstanding coach and manager,” he said in a statement. “He was tactically excellent, had a great attitude, was capable of handling anyone from the youngest player to the biggest star. “He was open-minded, forward-thinking, enjoyed life to the fullest and enabled England to develop its players and have one of the most memorable tournaments in England’s history. He created a wonderful environment that recognizes people.”
The Dagenham-born midfielder was given the chance to coach at Palace by Malcolm Allison after he retired due to arthritis, and after succeeding Allison as manager in 1976, he formed a youth team that became known as the “Team of the Eighties”.
After promotion from the third tier to the top tier, they achieved 13th place, which was then the club’s highest finish in 1979–80, and departed for second-tier QPR, below Palace, early the following season.
His successes at QPR, where he won the Second League, reaching the 1982 FA Cup final and finishing fifth, earned him a move to Barcelona in 1984. In the 1986 European Cup final, they were defeated by Steaua Bucharest in a penalty shoot-out. He spent his first season at the club without a trophy, but did not have to wait long for Tottenham to employ him following his sacking in September 1987.
His first Barcelona signing, a Spurs team that included Lineker and Paul Gascoigne, led him to the 1991 FA Cup, but weeks later he moved into the position of chief executive under new owner Alan Sugar following his own failed buyout attempt. club.
Venables’ time at Spurs ended in 1993 following a court fight and soured relations with Sugar, and allegations of abuse linked to his employment were raised that year, which he disputed.
In January 1994 Venables took the job in England. He had announced months before Euro 96 that he would quit after the tournament due to looming litigation that he felt could hinder England’s bid to qualify for the 1998 World Cup, and he came agonizingly close to a perfect send-off. England lost the semi-final to Germany on penalties at Wembley, but beat the Netherlands 4-1 in the group stage, producing one of the team’s most memorable performances of the modern era.
Venables later became director of football, then chairman of Portsmouth, and spent a time as Australia manager before returning to England with Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough (where he worked alongside Bryan Robson) and Leeds before being sacked in 2003. His time as Steve McClaren’s assistant in England proved his final coaching position.
Venables achieved promotion at Chelsea, where he won the League Cup, before moving to Tottenham, where he was part of the team that won the 1967 FA Cup. His two England caps came in 1964.