TRIBUTES have flooded in following the death of English football icon Terry Venables aged 80.Venables had a long and successful career in European football both as a player and coach, managing England, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur during his time in the game.
As a coach Venables would begin an era of success for Barcelona, where he earned the nickname ‘El Tel’, winning La Liga and the European Cup, while as manager of Spurs, he would win the FA Cup in 1990.
Speaking about Venables’ time as England coach, current Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate, said: “Terry opened my eyes to things that no one else has. He has fantastic tactical awareness. Every senior player in the group went away having learnt a lot from him, which is an achievement.”
In a statement, Terry’s family said: “We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness. We would ask that privacy be given at this incredibly sad time to allow us to mourn the loss of this lovely man who we were so lucky to have had in our lives.”
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates…
Venables – ‘A great football man’
Mark Crossley has hailed Terry Venables and said that Brian Clough is waiting for him in heaven.
Inside Venables’ former hotel
Terry Venables once owned a hidden Spanish hotel – complete with a lawn doubling as a football pitch.
“El Tel” fell in love with Spain after taking the helm at Barcelona in 1984.
Venables and his wife Yvette returned to Spain after he retired from football management.
The couple opened La Escondida hotel and restaurant in Penaguila near Alicante in 2014.
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
United pays tribute to Venables
Carragher spots Pep picture
Jamie Carragher has spotted a picture of a young Pep Guardiola looking at Terry Venables.
The snap was taken after Venables led Barcelona to victory over IFK Goteborg in the semi-final of the 1985/86 European Cup.
The now Manchester City manager was only 15 years old at the time.
Terry and Yvette
Here are some more snaps of Terry and Yvette.
Credit: Getty
Credit: PA:Press Association
Venables leaves behind wife
Terry Venables has left behind his wife Yvette after a 32-year-long marriage.
Venables met his wife Yvette in his father’s pub in Chingford, Essex in 1984.
She accompanied the footballing icon to Barcelona when he was appointed as their manager, with the couple marrying in 1991.
Stevens ‘learned so much’ from Venables
Former Tottenham star Gary Stevens has admitted that he learned so much from Terry Venables despite being let go from the club by the manager.
He also revealed that Venables helped him gain his Uefa pro licence a few years later.
Foxes send condolences
Leicester City have posted their tribute to Terry Venables on social media.
Bruno takes to social media
Boxing legend Frank Bruno has recalled a story of being called “big man” by Terry Venables in his tribute.
Gazza’s ostrich story with Venables
Paul Gascoigne was once able to get out of a telling-off from Terry Venables thanks to an Ostrich in a Tottenham shirt.
Paul Stewart recalled the story after Steve Sedgley, nicknamed “long neck”, joined the club.
In an extract with The Chronicle, he said: “One day, whilst Venners was taking training, all the players were on the pitch in a circle around the halfway line. Gazza was late.
As always, the boss was asking me where he was, like I was his minder. Just as I was about to make an excuse, Gazza turned up with someone alongside him, carrying a brown sack. The sack was moving as if something was in it.
“And just as Venners was about to rollick Gazza for being late, the bag opened and an ostrich ran out wearing a Spurs shirt. There was a number seven and Sedgley written on the back. The lads just fell about laughing.
“Everyone, the kids, the training staff, the apprentices, stood open-mouthed or in hysterics. Venables’ face was a picture. The bird went running off in a panic and he had some job getting it back.
“I am not too sure what the animal rights people would say if they knew that Gazza had a bird from the local zoo dressed in a Spurs shirt loose on the training ground. He claimed that he had ‘borrowed’ it from Broxbourne Zoo. We were never able to verify if that was the case.”
Credit: PA
Palace release statement
Crystal Palace have released a statement on the passing of Terry Venables.
Crystal Palace are mourning the loss of influential former midfielder and manager Terry Venables, who has passed away at the age of 80.
A statement released from the Venables family confirmed he passed away on Saturday after a long illness.
Hailing from east London, Venables signed for Palace from Tottenham in 1974, playing 16 games for the club before being handed a coaching role by Malcolm Allison. Palace subsequently reached the 1976 FA Cup semi-finals and, that summer, Venables rose in rank to become manager.
In 1976/77, Palace gained promotion from the third to the second division, a major accomplishment considering Venables’ short tenure.
Furthering his success, Palace won promotion to the top-flight as Second Division champions in 1978/79, as Venables built the youthful, exciting team hailed the Eagles’ ‘Team of the Eighties’ – one of the most exciting epochs in the club’s rich history.
In Venables’ first season as a top-flight manager, Palace topped the English football pyramid for the first and only time in September 1979. They ended the 1979/80 season in 13th place, at the time the club’s highest-ever league finish.
Following spells with Queens Park Rangers, Barcelona, Tottenham, England and Australia, Venables returned to Palace for a brief second spell as manager in summer 1998.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Terry’s family at this time.Crystal PalaceClub statement
More players pay tribute
Venables ‘great man’
Former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has paid tribute to Terry Venables in which he has hailed him as a “great man”.
Wolves join tributes
Wolverhampton Wanderers have joined the host of Premier League clubs that have paid tribute to Terry Venables.
Spurs clap for Venables
Terry Venables won the FA Cup as a player and a manager of Tottenham.
Here are some more images of how he has been remembered ahead of the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: PA
Venables remembered at Tottenham
Terry Venables’ image was displayed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the clash against Aston Villa.
Players also paid tribute before the game by wearing black armbands.
There has also been a minutes appulse for the footballing icon.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Getty
Kammy left ‘gutted’
Chris Kamara has said he is “gutted” following the news of Terry Venables’ death.
Southgate shares heartwarming tribute for Venables
England manager Gareth Southgate has shared a heartwarming tribute for Terry Venables.
Venables managed England between 1994 and 1996.
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
He was open minded, forward thinking, enjoyed life to the full and created a brilliant environment with England that allowed his players to flourish and have one of the most memorable tournaments in England history.
A brilliant man, who made people feel special, I’m very sad to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with Yvette and all of his family.Gareth Southgate
FA Cup statement
Terry Venables won the FA Cup as a player and as a manager.
Both achievements came while he was at Tottenham.
More from Neville
Gary Neville has spoken on more on the passing of Terry Venables.
He said on Sky Sports: “One of my great disappointments was that he was unable to continue after Euro 96. That was a great sad thing.
“He was onto something special with talents like Gascoigne and Ince.
“I had never played under a coach like Terry Venables, he would almost predict the outcome of games.
“I think I have no doubts that he was the most technically gifted cosh that England have ever produced.
“I think he will be remembered as an England man.”
Credit: Sky Sports More
