FOOTBALL legend Terry Venables has died at the age of 80 after a long illness.
Venables’ family paid tribute to the Three Lions manager in a lunchtime statement.
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Terry Venables has died aged 80
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Venables comforts Gareth Southgate at Euro 96 Credit: Action Images
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Venables with his family in 1995. Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Venables with Alan Sugar while managing Tottenham Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Venables with his children and first wife Credit: Getty
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Terry signed for Chelsea as a trainee when he was 15, going on to make over 200 appearances for the London clubCredit: Rex
“El Tel” had a distinguished career on the pitch playing for Chelsea, Spurs and QPR in the 1960s and 70s, winning two caps for the Three Lions at international level in 1964.
But he achieved his greatest success as a manager, famously leading England to the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championship.
Venables’ death has been confirmed by the League Managers Association, but the cause of death is not yet known.
His family said: “We are devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness.
Read more about Terry Venables
“We would ask that we be granted privacy at this incredibly sad time so that we can mourn the loss of this wonderful man who we were so lucky to have in our lives.”
Gareth Southgate has paid tribute to Venables, who famously consoled him after missing a penalty as England crashed out of Euro 96.
Southgate said: “Every player will have a great affinity for the manager who gave them the opportunity, but it quickly became apparent playing for Terry Venables that he is an outstanding coach and manager.
“He was open-minded, forward-thinking, enjoyed life to the fullest and created a great environment with England that allowed his players to thrive and have one of the most memorable tournaments in England’s history.
“A brilliant man, who made people feel special, I am very saddened by his passing and my thoughts are with Yvette and all his family.”
Three Lions legends including Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, David Seaman, Gary Neville, Paul Gascoigne and Stan Collymore also paid tribute to Venables on social media.
Lineker said: “I was devastated to hear that Terry Venables had died.
“The best, most innovative coach I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for.
“However, he was much more than just a great manager, he was lively, charming, witty, he was a friend.
“We will miss him dearly. Sending love and condolences to Yvette and family. RIP Terry.”
Shearer said: “Extremely sad news that the great Terry Venables has passed away.
“RIP boss. I owe you so much. You were amazing.”
Neville said: “I’m sorry to hear the news about my first England manager, Terry Venables.
“The man who gave me the opportunity to play for my country and without a shadow of a doubt became my number one England coach throughout my career.”
Seaman said: “Dear Terry, I’ll miss you, you told me I was your English number one and I’ll never forget that.”
Collymore said: “Incredibly sad to hear that Terry Venables has passed away today.
“Our thoughts are with Terry’s family and friends at this sad time.”
“He made my dream come true to represent my country, for which I could never thank him enough.
“Lively, witty, a top coach, multi-talented, a man who really lived life to the fullest. Rest in peace, Terry.”
Gascoigne said: “Such a sad day, cheers boss.”
England’s official official Twitter account posted a tribute to the legend of the Three Lions.
It said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Terry Venables has passed away aged 80.
“After winning two senior caps as a player, Terry went on to lead the Three Lions between 1994 and 1996 – proudly leading us to the semi-finals of Euro 96.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Terry’s family, friends and former clubs.”
Venables’ former side Tottenham Hotspur will wear black armbands during their clash with Aston Villa this afternoon.
Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Spurs, QPR and Coventry City paid tribute to Venables alongside TV stars Piers Morgan, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Kamara.
Venables began his managerial career with Crystal Palace, who won the League Two championship in 1979.
He also led QPR to the FA Cup final in 1982 and won League Two in 1983.
He then took charge of Barcelona in 1984 – where he earned the nickname El Tel.
Under his leadership, Barca won La Liga in 1985 and reached the final of the European Cup in 1986.
Venables then returned to the UK in 1987 to take over at White Hart Lane and lead Spurs to victory in the 1991 FA Cup.
He was a popular choice to take over as England manager in 1994.
In the group stage of the 1996 European Championship, England beat the Netherlands 4-1, a game he would describe as “perfection – my most exciting experience in football” after his retirement.
After beating Spain in the next round, they were eventually knocked out by Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Alan Shearer, who was part of the Euro ’96 squad, later said: “Terry’s knowledge and tactical knowledge was spot on and he knew how to get the best out of us.
“We responded to him, believed in him and played outstanding football in that tournament.”
Gareth Southgate, who was also part of the squad, said: “Terry opened my eyes to things that no one else has.
“He has fantastic tactical awareness. Every senior player in the group left having learned a lot from him, which is an achievement.”
Terry Frederick Venables was born in Dagenham, East London on January 6, 1943.
He was the only child of Royal Navy NCO Fred Venables and his Welsh wife Myrtle.
Venables grew up with his grandparents Ossie and Milly after his parents moved to run a pub in Romford, Essex.
He credited Ossie with fostering a lifelong love of the beautiful game.
Venables started at the age of 15 as a trainee at Chelsea, with his father joining the Blues as a part-time scout.
He only turned professional when he was left out of the Great Britain team for the 1960 Olympics.
Throughout his playing and managerial career, Venables was known as “the player’s man”.
He gave his players freedom off the field, and he usually kept his half-time talks short and light to keep the spirits up.
After managing England, Venables was coach of Australia, then Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Leeds.
His last job in football was a brief return to the England team in 2007, as assistant to new manager Steve McClaren, before both were sacked after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
Venables had two daughters with his first wife, Christine McCann, whom he married in 1966.
He met his second wife Yvette Bazire in his father’s pub in Chingford in 1984 and she went to Barcelona with him. They got married in 1991.
Venables has dabbled in a number of different business ventures outside of his football career.
With his Chelsea teammates George Graham and Ron “Chopper” Harris, he opened a West End tailor shop.
Together with Yvette, he later ran the Kensington restaurant club and a boutique hotel and restaurant in Alicante, Spain.
Venables also wrote five novels and was an occasional singer – after Chelsea stopped him from performing as a singer at Butlins when he was 17.
He even designed a board game called “The Manager”, which was inspired by his own career.
In 2010, Venables reached no. 23rd place with a cover of Elvis Presley’s “If I Can Dream” which he recorded in collaboration with The Sun.
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‘El Tel’ led England to the semi-finals of Euro ’96. Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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Terry Venables consoles Gareth Southgate after missing a penalty in the semi-final of Euro ’96. Credits: PA
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Terry, seen here in 2010, was highly regarded by his playersCredit: PA: Press Association
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