Former England manager Terry Venables dies aged 80
His glittering managerial career includes guiding England to semis of Euro 96, and taking charge at Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Leeds and Barcelona
26 November 2023 - 22:30
byWilliam Schomberg and Aadi Nair
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
The scoreboard displays a remembrance message following the passing of former English football player and manager, Terry Venables, prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, November 26 2023. Picture: JULIAN FINNEY/GETTY IMAGES
London — Terry Venables, the former manager of England’s national soccer team and Tottenham Hotspur, has died aged 80 after an illness, his family said on Sunday.
Venables guided England to the semifinals of the 1996 European Championship on home soil before losing to Germany on penalties.
“We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness,” the family said in a statement.
In addition to his spell in charge of Tottenham, during which he won the FA Cup in the 1990-91 season, he also took charge of Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Barcelona in a glittering managerial career.
During his time at Barcelona, Venables earned the nickname El Tel, winning LaLiga and reaching the European Cup final in 1986. Venables was also responsible for bringing British strikers Gary Lineker and Mark Hughes to the Nou Camp.
"A brilliant man, who made people feel special."
Gareth Southgate has paid his own tribute to former #ThreeLions player and manager Terry Venables.
“The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for,” Lineker, who also played under Venables at Spurs and England, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“He was much more, though, than just a great manager, he was vibrant, he was charming, he was witty, he was a friend.”
Venables started his professional career as a player with Chelsea in 1960 and played for Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace before retiring to take over the manager's role there.
As a player, he made over 500 league appearances and won the League Cup with Chelsea in 1965 and the FA Cup with Spurs in 1967. He made two international appearances for England.
Venables also had a two-year stint as head of Spurs from 1991-93.
“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Venables, our former player, manager and head , who passed away on Saturday,” Spurs said in a statement.
Current England manager Gareth Southgate, part of the Euro 1996 side and who missed a penalty in the shootout defeat by Germany, said Venables “made people feel special”.
“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,” Southgate said.
“Tactically excellent, he had a wonderful manner, capable of handling everyone from the youngest player to the biggest star.”
Venables also brought the mercurial Paul Gascoigne to Tottenham from Newcastle in 1988, helping him become one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Former England manager Terry Venables dies aged 80
His glittering managerial career includes guiding England to semis of Euro 96, and taking charge at Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Leeds and Barcelona
London — Terry Venables, the former manager of England’s national soccer team and Tottenham Hotspur, has died aged 80 after an illness, his family said on Sunday.
Venables guided England to the semifinals of the 1996 European Championship on home soil before losing to Germany on penalties.
“We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness,” the family said in a statement.
In addition to his spell in charge of Tottenham, during which he won the FA Cup in the 1990-91 season, he also took charge of Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Barcelona in a glittering managerial career.
During his time at Barcelona, Venables earned the nickname El Tel, winning LaLiga and reaching the European Cup final in 1986. Venables was also responsible for bringing British strikers Gary Lineker and Mark Hughes to the Nou Camp.
“The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for,” Lineker, who also played under Venables at Spurs and England, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“He was much more, though, than just a great manager, he was vibrant, he was charming, he was witty, he was a friend.”
Venables started his professional career as a player with Chelsea in 1960 and played for Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace before retiring to take over the manager's role there.
As a player, he made over 500 league appearances and won the League Cup with Chelsea in 1965 and the FA Cup with Spurs in 1967. He made two international appearances for England.
Venables also had a two-year stint as head of Spurs from 1991-93.
“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Venables, our former player, manager and head , who passed away on Saturday,” Spurs said in a statement.
Current England manager Gareth Southgate, part of the Euro 1996 side and who missed a penalty in the shootout defeat by Germany, said Venables “made people feel special”.
“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,” Southgate said.
“Tactically excellent, he had a wonderful manner, capable of handling everyone from the youngest player to the biggest star.”
Venables also brought the mercurial Paul Gascoigne to Tottenham from Newcastle in 1988, helping him become one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world.
“Such a sad day, cheers boss,” Gascoigne said.
Reuters
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Former Springbok lock Strydom dies in car crash
India king of spin Bedi dies aged 77
Bobby Charlton, England and Man United great, dies at 86
Kaizer Chiefs legend ‘Jingles’ Pereira dies
Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak dies aged 49
Former Sprinkbok and Sharks coach Ian McIntosh dies
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.