Terry Venables dies at 80: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Gary Neville and Gareth Southgate lead tributes to ex-England manager and 'most innovative coach', along with former clubs Barcelona, Tottenham and Chelsea

An image of former Spurs and England manager Terry Venables, who has passed away at the age of 80, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of Tottenham vs Aston Villa on November 26, 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Gary Neville have led the tributes to ex-England manager Terry Venables following his death on Saturday – along with his former clubs Tottenham, Chelsea and Barcelona.

Venables' family announced the news of his passing in a statement on Sunday, saying the 80-year-old had been suffering with a "long illness".

"Devastated to hear that Terry Venables has died," Lineker, who played under Venables at Barcelona and Tottenham, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"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. He'll be hugely missed. Sending love and condolences to Yvette and the family. RIP Terry."

Shearer, who was top scorer for England under Venables at Euro 96, wrote on X: "Extremely sad news the great Terry Venables has passed away. RIP Boss, I owe you so much. You were amazing."

And Neville called him "the most technically gifted British coach we've ever produced" in a long post.

"So sorry to hear the news of my very first England coach, Terry Venables. A man who gave me a chance to play for my country and became without a shadow of doubt my number one England coach in my whole career," the former Manchester United and England right-back wrote.

"There were three things that were important to me about Venables. The first is when we hear people that play for Pep Guardiola now say that he can call the outcome of a game in training a few days before the match arrives, Terry Venables had that very same capability, he'd come through the Barcelona system."

Neville went on to praise Venables' tactical flexibility and his ability to handle the big characters in the dressing room.

"I sit here today thinking back to my special times with Terry and can say he is without doubt the most technically gifted British coach we’ve ever produced," he wrote.

In a post on England's official X account, the Three Lions said: "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 Three Lions between 1994 and 1996 - proudly leading us to the semi-finals of Euro 96. Our thoughts and condolences are with Terry’s family, friends and former clubs."

And current England manager Gareth Southgate, who played under Venables at Euro 96, called his former boss "a brilliant man, who made people feel special".

Meanwhile, Tottenham held a minute's applause ahead of their Premier League clash at home to Aston Villa on Sunday and displayed their former manager's image on the big screen before kick-off.

"The Club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player and manager Terry Venables," Spurs said.

"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. Rest in peace, Terry."

Barcelona also paid tribute to the man affectionately known as 'El Tel' during his time in Spain, when he led the Catalan club to La Liga.

"FC Barcelona deeply regrets the passing of Terry Venables, who managed Barça from 1984 to 1987," they wrote. "Our condolences to his loved ones. Rest in peace."

Chelsea, where Venables started out as a player in the 1960s, wrote: "Everyone at Chelsea Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Blue, Terry Venables, aged 80.

"The thoughts and condolences of everyone at the Club are with his family and friends at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Terry."

And QPR, where Venables spent five years as a player and another four as manager, wrote: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of former QPR player and manager Terry Venables. All our thoughts are with his loved ones at this incredibly sad time. May he rest in peace."

Read more

Former England manager Terry Venables passes away at the age of 80

England's formations at Euro 96: a tactical evolution under Terry Venables

Euro 96, the complete history: England vs Scotland and the story behind Gazza's great goal

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.

Read more
STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 12: England manager Bobby Robson looks on before the 1988 European Championships match between England and Republic of Ireland at Neckarstadion on June 12, 1988 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
Ranked! EVERY England manager ranked from worst to best
Gareth Southgate smiling
RANKED! The 10 best English managers in football right now
England Euro 2024 squad Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
'You can find yourself mocked if you don’t conform to the latest trend. As hardened as I am to criticisms, there’s no way I was going to trawl through social media last summer and read abuse' Sir Gareth Southgate opens up on abuse during England spell
Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush celebrate after winning the 1985/86 First Division title with Liverpool
The best British players of the 80s
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during a press conference at the club's Carrington Training Ground, 2018
Managers who managed clubs they played for
‘In terms of credentials, he’s fantastic, but it’s our country against yours – if Southgate won the World Cup with Germany, what would English people say?’: Ex-Englaand striker weighs in on Thomas Tuchel and the foreign manager debate
Latest in Stories
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Ipswich Town third kit for 2024/25 season
'The pink kit was quite divisive to begin with: a lot of people were unsure of it but I think the Tottenham game has cemented it as this epic kit' Ed Sheeran talks about designing Ipswich shirt - and how it ties into his music
Stuart Pearce Non-League Day
'It’s absolutely essential that funding drips down from the top end of the game – there is a disconnect' Stuart Pearce takes the Premier League trophy back to his non-league roots
Latest in News
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Ipswich Town third kit for 2024/25 season
'The pink kit was quite divisive to begin with: a lot of people were unsure of it but I think the Tottenham game has cemented it as this epic kit' Ed Sheeran talks about designing Ipswich shirt - and how it ties into his music
Stuart Pearce Non-League Day
'It’s absolutely essential that funding drips down from the top end of the game – there is a disconnect' Stuart Pearce takes the Premier League trophy back to his non-league roots
Dejan Kulusevski celebrates after scoring for Tottenham against Ipswich Town in February 2025.
Tottenham chasing Premier League star to help unlock Dejan Kulusevski: report