Former England manager and player Terry Venables has died at the age of 80 the family has announced.
“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,” a statement from the family noted.
Venables played twice for England but he was more well known for his managerial than playing career, and was in charge of the national side between 1994 and 1996, when he led the team to the semi-finals of the Euros, before they were knocked out on penalties by Germany.
Venables was also in charge of a number of clubs throughout his lengthy career including Barcelona, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. He then returned to the England fold for a second stint as Steve McClaren’s assistant towards the end of his career.
He played as a midfielder for Chelsea, Tottenham and QPR during a 15-year career. But it was as a manager that he excelled, first guiding Crystal Palace from the third division to the first, then taking then-second-tier QPR to the 1982 FA Cup final.
His move to Spain saw him lead Barcelona to the 1984 La Liga title in 1985 and the European Cup final the following year. Venables also won the FA Cup with Tottenham back in 1991.
