The English soccer community is shaken by the passing of Terry Venables, former England manager. As a player, Venables played more than 500 matches in the 1960s and 1970s for teams like Chelsea, Tottenham, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace. However, he was always remembered for his managerial career.
The family statement revealed that Terry was struggling for a long time due to an illness that took his life at the age of 80. The statement read: “We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness.”
During his managerial career, Venables managed Crystal Palace, QPR, Barcelona, Tottenham, England and Australia. He ended his career in 2003 with a 41-match spell as the manager of Leeds United. During his managerial career, Venables won a La Liga and the Spanish league cup with FC Barcelona, as well as an FA Cup with Tottenham.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Venables at the age of 80.
Having won two senior caps as a player, Terry went onto manage the #ThreeLions between 1994 and 1996 – proudly leading us to the semi-finals of Euro 96.
Our thoughts and condolences are with… pic.twitter.com/e1zzUpCZCn
— England (@England) November 26, 2023
He also led England to the semi-finals of Euro 1996 where they lost to Germany in a penalty shootout. He managed 24 games for the national side and won 12 games while losing on only three occasions.
BBC has reported that Tottenham will hold a minute’s applause before their league game against Aston Villa in honor of their former manager. The club also released a statement to share their deepest condolences to Terry’s friends and family.
Gary Neville and Alan Shearer react to the passing of Terry Venables
The news of the passing drew reactions and condolences from some of the biggest England internationals. Gary Neville took it to ‘X’ to share a long message in honor of his first England coach. The former England right-back wrote: “So sorry to hear the news of my very first England coach, Terry Venables. A man who gave me a chance to play for my country and became without a shadow of doubt my number one England coach in my whole career.”
Neville paid his tribute by comparing the mentality of Venables with Pep Guardiola. He pointed out that Venables had the ability to change systems during matches and from game to game. He concluded by stating that Venables was the most technically gifted British coach England had ever produced.
So sorry to hear the news of my very first England coach, Terry Venables. A man who gave me a chance to play for my country and became without a shadow of doubt my number one England coach in my whole career.
There were three things that were important to me about Venables. The… pic.twitter.com/J7QWMcOvmp
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) November 26, 2023
Alan Shearer, the legendary English striker and member of the 1996 Euro squad, said: “Extremely sad news. The great Terry Venables has passed away. RIP Boss. I owe you so much. You were amazing.”
Former England skipper, Gary Lineker, who was signed by Venables during his stint in FC Barcelona, said: “Devastated to hear that Terry Venables has died. The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for.”
Venables’s trophy cabinet might not give an accurate display of his capabilities but hearing from former English greats it is clear that Terry Venables was one of the best managers produced by England. It would be up to Gareth Southgate, who played for Venables in Euro 1996, to pay the perfect homage by winning the Euro 2024 for England.