English football mourns the passing of Terry Venables at the age of 80. Champion of Spain with Barça, the coach was then at the head of the English selection for Euro 96 and ended up being qualified as a “false messiah”.
An essential figure in English football since the 1960s, Terry Venables died on Sunday at the age of 80, following a long illness. Born in London, he played for Chelsea, Tottenham, QPR and Crystal Palace, before being a star manager for many years.
Venables, after shining with Palace and QPR, was hired by Barça to turn around the Catalan club and the Blaugranas were crowned champions of Spain in 1985, eleven years after the last La Liga title. His team then lost in the final of the 1986 Champion Clubs’ Cup to Steaua Bucharest.
His reign at the helm of the England national team, from 1994 and through to Euro 1996 in England, was eventful. The Three Lions were finally eliminated in the semi-finals by Germany, on penalties, after having passed Spain also on penalties. A year later, a journalist published a book about Terry Venables called “False messiah”.
The technician then led the Australian selection, then Crystal Palace again, or even Middlesbrough and Leeds without success.
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
