Former England football manager Terry Venables has died at the age of 80.
A statement issued on behalf of his 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.”
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Richard Bevan, League Managers’ Association (LMA) chief executive said: “The LMA is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of LMA member and former LMA President Terry Venables.
“Our thoughts are very much with Yvette and all of Terry’s family at this time.”
Venables was in charge of the England men’s national team between 1994 and 1996.
During that time, the side reached the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championships, where they were knocked out by Germany on penalties.
In Spain as Barcelona manager, Venables won the domestic title in the 1984/85 season and then in England he claimed the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991.
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Sky’s sports correspondent Rob Harris said: “So many, of course, will remember his reign as England manager.
“One of the high points really of English football for the men’s game – Euro 96 and taking England through to the semi-finals and of course just missing out to Germany as so often.
“It was really part of the rebirth of English football after some of the challenges throughout the 70s and 80s in particular, and the whole Football’s Coming Home was really so heavily associated with Terry Venables.”
In his managerial career, Venables was also in charge of clubs including Crystal Palace, Tottenham, and Barcelona.
Venables won La Liga with Barcelona.
Harris said: “An Englishman winning the top trophy in Spanish football, was really a notable achievement, as well as reaching the European Cup final with the Catalan club [in 1986] and then later going on to manage Australia as well at international level.”
“So really someone who saw so much across the game, someone with such a distinguished reputation throughout football, not only as a player but also as a manager as well.”
As a player, he represented sides including Chelsea, Spurs and Queens Park Rangers and made more than 500 appearances.
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