Terry Venables

Terence Frederick Venables, known as "El Tel", was an English footballer and manager born on 6 January 1943 in Dagenham, Essex, who died on 25 November 2023. He played for Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Queens Park Rangers, and earned two caps for England.

As a manager, he led Crystal Palace to the Second Division title in 1979, took Queens Park Rangers to the 1982 FA Cup Final, and won the Second Division again in 1983. At Barcelona, he won La Liga in 1985 and reached the 1986 European Cup Final. He guided Tottenham Hotspur to victory in the 1991 FA Cup Final, and also managed Middlesbrough and Leeds United. As England manager from 1994 to 1996, he reached the semi-finals of Euro 1996, known for a modern, innovative tactical style that contrasted with the rigid approach then common in English football, and for building strong personal relationships with his squad. He managed Australia from 1996 to 1998.

Venables also co-wrote novels with Gordon Williams under the joint pseudonym "P.B. Yuill".

Venables was the only child of Fred and Myrtle Venables. His father, a Navy petty officer from Barking, and his mother, Welsh from Clydach Vale, moved to run a pub in Romford when he was 13, sending him to live with his maternal grandparents Ossie and Milly, who encouraged his love of football.

He played for his county and earned England Schoolboy caps, attracting interest from Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham, and Manchester United. He left school in summer 1958 and signed for Chelsea as an apprentice at 15, saying he chose Chelsea because he thought he had a better chance of making the first team and because the club offered his father a part-time scouting job. He denied claims by West Ham coach Malcolm Allison that he joined for money. He delayed turning professional to try for a place in the 1960 Olympic squad, but turned pro after learning he wouldn't be selected. He won the FA Youth Cup with Chelsea in 1960 and 1961, beating Preston North End and Everton. He made his senior debut in a 4–2 loss to West Ham on 6 February 1960, with newspapers calling him "the new Duncan Edwards".

Tommy Docherty joined Chelsea as player-coach in September 1961 and became manager the next month. Docherty, a successful manager who promoted young players known as "Docherty's Diamonds", was a major influence on Venables, but they had a difficult relationship; Venables thought Docherty tactically limited. Chelsea were relegated in 1961–62 but promoted back to the First Division in 1962–63, finishing fifth in 1963–64. Venables took his FA coaching badges at 24, passing with distinction and a 95% mark.

He won the League Cup with Chelsea, scoring a penalty in the two-legged final against Leicester City. Chelsea reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1964–65, losing to Liverpool. With three league games left, they had an outside chance of winning the title, but lost 2–0 to Liverpool at Anfield. Docherty initially allowed the players a night out, then reversed the decision; Venables and seven others—George Graham, Barry Bridges, John Hollins, Marvin Hinton, Eddie McCreadie, Joe Fascione, and Bert Murray—broke curfew for a brief outing.

Docherty suspended all eight for the rest of the season. Chelsea lost 6–2 to Burnley, then Docherty reinstated them for a final-day defeat to Blackpool. Venables never forgave Docherty, calling the punishment "crass, stupid and self-defeating". Docherty put Venables on the transfer list near the end of the 1965–66 season, after Chelsea lost another FA Cup semi-final and finished fifth.

Tottenham Hotspur signed Venables for £80,000, and he debuted in a 1–0 win at Blackburn Rovers on 9 May 1966. He punched club legend Dave Mackay during training, but no long-term rift followed. Spurs finished third in the league in 1966–67 and reached the 1967 FA Cup Final against his former club Chelsea, winning 2–1. Earlier that season, Venables had bet £25 on Chelsea to win the cup at 25/1, which would have paid £500—the same as his cup bonus for winning—meaning after tax he would have been better off if Chelsea had won. He had a poor relationship with manager Bill Nicholson, believing Nicholson's negative attitude drained his enthusiasm, and felt unappreciated by Spurs fans. The club finished seventh and sixth in the next two seasons, and Nicholson accepted a £70,000 offer for Venables from Queens Park Rangers.