Ex-England Manager Terry Venables Dies At 80 After Long Illness

Venables played for Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace.

He managed the national teams of England and Australia and also took charge of Barcelona, Spurs, QPR and Crystal Palace.

Venables led Barcelona to the La Liga title in the 1984/85 season and the European Cup final in 1986, losing out to Steaua Bucharest.

As England manager, Venables led the Three Lions to the semi-finals of EURO 96.

“We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness,” read a family statement.

“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.”

Tributes have started pouring in for Venables from some of his former clubs and players.

“The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for,” Gary Lineker, who played under Venables at Spurs, Barcelona 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.”

“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Venables, our former player, manager and chief executive, who passed away on Saturday,” Spurs said in a statement.