TERRY Venables was the much-loved England manager who took the Three Lions to the semi-finals at the ’96 Euros.
Here’s what we know about the life of “El Tel” and his glittering career — on and off the football pitch.
PATerry Venables took the Three Lions to the Euro 1996 semi-finals, the summer football was “coming home”[/caption]
Who was Terry Venables?
Terence “Terry” Venables, a professional footballer, manager, and author, has sadly died at the age of 80.
Synonymous with English football Terry — also known as El Tel — is best known for taking the Three Lions team to the Euro 1996 semi-final against Germany.
Born in Dagenham on January 6, 1943 to parents Fred and Myrtle, Terry was an only child.
His father was a petty officer in the Navy, and from Barking, while his mother was Welsh.
In 1956, his parents moved to Essex to open a pub, Terry went to live with his grandparents Ossie and Milly, who encouraged his interest in football.
After earning a cap for the England Schoolboys team, Terry went on to play professionally for various English clubs, and the English national team, before moving on to football management.
Terry married his first wife, Christine McCann, in 1996, while he was playing for Chelsea.
The pair, who had met when they were just 16, had two daughters together, Tracey and Nancy, before an amicable divorce in 1984.
He married his second wife, Yvette Bazire, in 1994, when he moved to Barcelona as manager.
What was Terry Venables’ cause of death?
The League Managers Association have confirmed Terry’s death, although the cause of death has not yet been confirmed at the time of writing.
There has been some speculation that Terry had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Terry’s family have 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.”
Tributes poured in on Twitter — Gary Lineker, who played under Terry’s management at Spurs, Barcelona, and England, said:
“Devastated to hear that Terry Venables has died. The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for. He was much more, though, than just a great manager, he was vibrant, he was charming, he was witty, he was a friend.”
Terry’s former club, Tottenham Hotspur, also posted a tribute to their former manager on Twitter, announcing plans to mark the former boss’s passing at the start of their match on Sunday, November 26:
“The Club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player and manager Terry Venables.
“Our deepest condolences are with Terry’s friends and family at this incredibly difficult time. In tribute, we shall hold a minute’s applause prior to kick-off and our players will wear black armbands during this afternoon’s fixture against Aston Villa.”
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