Terry Venables, the former England, Tottenham and Barcelona coach, has died at the age of 80 after a long illness. Venables, who was widely regarded as one of the most innovative and charismatic football managers of his generation, passed away on Thursday, surrounded by his family.
Venables had a distinguished career as both a player and a manager, winning trophies and accolades at club and international level. He played for Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, earning two caps for England in the 1960s. He also had brief spells in Australia and Ireland, where he helped St Patrick’s Athletic win the FAI Cup in 1976.
As a manager, Venables won the Second Division title with Crystal Palace in 1979 and led Queens Park Rangers to the FA Cup final in 1982. He then moved to Spain, where he guided Barcelona to the La Liga title in 1985 and the European Cup final in 1986, earning the nickname “El Tel” from the fans.
Venables returned to England in 1987 and took charge of Tottenham Hotspur, where he won the FA Cup in 1991 with a team that included Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker and David Ginola. He also managed Middlesbrough and Leeds United, before becoming the assistant manager of England in 2006, alongside his former player Steve McClaren.
Venables’ most memorable spell as a manager was with England from 1994 to 1996, when he led the team to the semi-finals of the European Championship on home soil. His side played an attractive and attacking style of football, inspired by the likes of Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and Darren Anderton. Venables also gave a chance to young talents such as David Beckham, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler, who would go on to become stars of the game.
Venables’ England team came agonisingly close to reaching the final of Euro 96, losing to Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley. The match is remembered for Gascoigne’s famous miss, when he stretched to reach a cross from Anderton but failed to make contact by inches. Venables left his post after the tournament, amid a legal dispute with the Football Association over his business affairs.
Venables also managed Australia from 1997 to 1998, leading them to the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup, where they lost to Brazil. He later worked as a pundit and a columnist, as well as co-writing several novels and a musical.
Venables was widely respected and admired by his peers and former players, who paid tribute to him after his death. Gary Lineker, who played under Venables at Barcelona and Tottenham, described him as “a wonderful man and a brilliant football man”. Paul Gascoigne, who regarded Venables as a father figure, said he was “heartbroken” and thanked him for “everything he did for me”. Steve McClaren, who worked with Venables at England, said he was “a genius, a visionary and a pioneer”.
Venables is survived by his wife Yvette, his son Nicholas, his daughter Lucy and his grandchildren.
