JEFF POWELL: It was a joy to share long lunches and laughs with my good friend Terry Venables, who I helped get the Barcelona job… farewell, El Tel

• Legendary football player and manager Terry Venables has died at the age of 80 
• He became known as ‘El Tel’ after leading Barcelona to the league title in 1985
• Inside Postecoglou’s Tottenham: IAKO looks at culture and philosophy changes 

Late one warm Mediterranean day more years ago than we cared to remember, before the fog of football’s cruellest affliction began clouding one of the game’s most brilliant intellects, Terry Venables slipped into Barcelona’s hottest nightclub.

By chance, the then heir to the throne of Monaco was among the great and good in attendance. No sooner had the drinks been served than a tall, slender lady sashayed across the floor to say: ‘Monsieur Venables, I have come to take you to the Prince Albert.’

‘No, thank you,’ came the typically quick-witted reply. ‘I can’t stand going to fake English pubs when I’m abroad.’

The willowy beauty stood there in shock and bewilderment. ‘Don’t worry,’ he chuckled as he got up. ‘Just our weird British sense of humour.’ After the best part of an hour in animated conversation about football and life on Monte Carlo’s billionaire shores, His Highness asked: ‘Might you one day consider coaching my little team?’

‘I’m pretty busy right now,’ said the manager who had recently taken little Queens Park Rangers to an FA Cup final as a second division club, followed by promotion to what used to be the First Division. 

Former England manager Terry Venables has passed away at the age of 80 

Venables, pictured in 2018, enjoyed a successful career as a footballer, playing for Tottenham, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and QPR 

Friends Venables and Jeff Powell (left) are pictured at a football match in 1989

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‘But if you don’t mind, give me your card. In this game, you never know.’ Indeed you don’t. As Venables returned to his table a rich English holiday-maker called out: ‘What are you doing here, Tel?’ Again without a split-second’s hesitation, he came up with a cover story. ‘Spring break with the boys,’ he answered, airily waving a hand in my direction.

The real purpose of our visit to Barcelona in 1984 was for me to help him into what he would call ‘the job of a lifetime’ with one of the biggest clubs in the world.

That saga had begun a few weeks earlier when I went to report on a match at the Nou Camp. Afterwards I went to dinner with Barcelona manager Cesar Luis Menotti and our mutual friend Hans Henningsen, the pre-eminent South American journalist and television football analyst.

Henningsen, a true citizen of the world having been born in the Canary Islands to a German father and Brazilian mother, had introduced us at the European Championship finals in Belgrade 10 years earlier.

Menotti was there studying potential opponents for his Argentina team in which Ossie Ardiles et al would triumph in the 1978 World Cup.

Now he wanted to end his globe-trotting. ‘I have to get home to Buenos Aires this summer for family reasons,’ he confided. ‘But Barca won’t release me from my contract unless I help them find my replacement. Any ideas? They love English football.’

‘My mate Terry Venables,’ I suggested. ‘Que?’ he asked. ‘Manager of QPR,’ I told him. Again ‘Que?’ followed by: ‘Send me some films.’

Videos of a selection of Terry’s tactical masterpieces were duly despatched. Menotti phoned a few days later: ‘Can you bring him here for dinner?’

Long hours of discussion ensued. Menotti advised us to go back to London but to be on standby to return. By the time that call came, Barcelona vice-president Joan Gaspart had sought references from his English friends, Bobby Robson and Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis, both favourable.

To avoid stirring the rumour mill, Venables holed up in my apartment for two nights before we flew out of Heathrow again, this time for a meeting with Barca officials hosted by Gaspart in a private dining room at one of his hotels.

Of course, Terry charmed them. I departed next morning, leaving him and his accountant to thrash out the financial terms. He called me at 11.20pm to say: ‘Done, thank you,’ just in time for the back page of the Daily Mail’s third edition.

Menotti was not alone in his ignorance of Venables — so were Barcelona’s players. They would soon become acquainted with a marked difference in style between their outgoing and incoming boss. The chain-smoking Menotti’s Bohemian preference for taking training in the evening had less to do with those sessions coinciding with kick-off times, as he claimed, than with his propensity for late nights. His team’s languid possession football was interspersed with sudden attacking.

He also managed Crystal Palace, QPR, Barcelona and Tottenham, signing Gary Lineker (left) for Spurs in 1989

Venables played twice for England during his playing career and is here pictured at home with his international caps 

He started his career at Chelsea before moving to Tottenham in 1966

Venables came in the vanguard of the pressing revolution. Furthermore, he often had his stars train twice a day and the disgruntlement they leaked to the Spanish media culminated in this quote occupying the front page of a national newspaper: ‘Where did we find this Englishman? On the beach in Majorca?’

The pressure inensified as fixtures for the new season consigned Venables to an opening day Clasico at Real Madrid. He said: ‘They want to knock me off before I get started.’ Not so fast. He presided over a sensational 3-0 storming of fortress Bernabeu.

On the short flight to Barcelona that night, the players came one by one along the aisle to tell him: ‘Mi desculpa, Meester.’ I’m sorry, boss. Overnight they joined a veritable army of footballers who not only admired Venables but credited him for vital improvements to their game.

Gareth Southgate pays tribute to Terry Venables

Gareth Southgate says ‘outstanding and forward-thinking’ Terry Venables lived ‘life to the full’ as Three Lions boss pays tribute to late England manager after his death and credits him for thrilling Euro ’96 run 

Although he was already dubbed El Tel by the press, the mispronounced Mister became their respectful term of address for Venables as he led them to Barcelona’s first Spanish title for 11 years, then to the European Cup final the following season. Their failure in Seville against the unfancied Steaua Bucharest denied Venables the crowning glory of his career.

There was no bigger culprit than Bernd Schuster. The German idol froze in midfield and squandered an open goal before Barca missed all four penalties in the shootout.

Venables had no option but to substitute his distraught superstar before the end of a goalless normal time, but the manager bore no grudge. As we sat ruminating on the terrace of a castillo turned hotel, watching a pink dawn break over the scenic hills of Andalusia, he said: ‘The magnitude of an occasion like this can get to even the greatest players. I feel sorry for him. Life goes on.’

Indeed it did. On to Tottenham and his outsmarting of Brian Clough at Wembley as he added 1991 FA Cup final victory to his winner’s medal as a Spurs player 24 years earlier. That win over Nottingham Forest was achieved despite losing Paul Gascoigne to injury, self-inflicted by a kamikaze tackle in only the 17th minute.

Then on to England and Euro 96. Venables uncorked the genius in Gazza, the troubled maverick — a wonder goal against Scotland to boot — as he masterminded his most astonishing conquest as a manager, the 4-1 defeat of the Netherlands, after which revered Dutch coach Guus Hiddink admitted: ‘This is the only time I’ve ever been so tactically out-thought.’

Venables, pictured, singing at the E.M.I recording studios in 1967 with his Tottenham team-mates

Venables (top right) is pictured with several football legends. Back row left to right, Alan Ball, Geoff Hurst. Front row left to right, Terry Mancini, Dave Webb, Alan Hudson and Rodney Marsh

Venables became known as ‘El Tel’ after leading Barcelona to the Spanish league title in 1985

Venables (right) with his assistant Allan Harris (left) and striker Steve Archibald (centre) at the Nou Camp in 1984

Sporting world mourns loss of ‘vibrant, witty man who was a joy to play for’

Gary Neville 

An extremely sad day. One of my great regrets is he didn’t continue as England manager. He was a great character and was on to something — he would almost predict the outcome of games and change the system. I’ve got no doubt this was the most technically gifted, tactically aware coach England have produced.

Terry Venables will be remembered as an England fan. Nationally he will be remembered for bringing those great times at Euro 96. He was a joy to play for.

Ange Postecoglou 

If you ask about a person who embodies everything this football club (Tottenham) has always wanted to be, it’s Terry. It wasn’t just about the way he managed or coached, but the person he was. He influenced Australia too as manager of the national team; he almost got us to the (1998) World Cup. The biggest testament is that anyone I’ve ever come across who has worked with him will say he is by far the best coach, manager and tactician they have come across.

Gareth Southgate

It was quickly evident playing for Terry Venables that he was an outstanding coach and manager. Tactically excellent, he had a wonderful manner, capable of handling everyone from the youngest player to the biggest star. He was open-minded, forward-thinking and created a brilliant environment with England that allowed his players to have one of the most memorable tournaments in England history. A brilliant man who made people feel special.

Jamie Redknapp

Every day working with you was an education. Euro 96 was one of the best times of my life, thank you for believing in me and giving me my debut for England. I owe you so much.

David Beckham 

I met Terry in Barcelona and while training at Tottenham at the age of 9. He was one of our greatest England managers and loved by players and fans.

Paul Gascoigne 

Such a sad day, cheers boss xxxx.

Gary Lineker 

Devastated. The best, most innovative coach I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for. He was vibrant, charming, witty and a friend. He’ll be hugely missed.

Alan Shearer 

Extremely sad news. RIP Boss. I owe you so much. You were amazing.

Stan Collymore 

Vivacious, funny, a super coach, a man who lived life to its fullest.

Cliff Jones 

Sad to hear of the passing of team-mate and friend Terry Venables. A man of many talents.

Frank Bruno 

I remember how he got the whole of England into believing we could win Euro 96. A sad, sad loss.

Again the curse of penalties lurked, this time in the semi-final against Germany. Gazza scored the fourth as England converted their first five spot-kicks, only for the sixth to be missed by… Gareth Southgate. Venables was first to console the man who is his latest successor as England manager.

‘Life goes on,’ he reiterated. Only not with the national team. The FA had refused him the courtesy customarily extended to a new manager with a contract until at least the ensuing World Cup, waiting to see how the Euros panned out. ‘I don’t do auditions,’ he told them as he walked away.

Venables suspected the influence in football’s high places of Alan Sugar, his chairman at Spurs, which his lordship denied. Either way, the clash of personalities between a sharp, engaging East Londoner and the raw-tongued belligerence of a shrewd businessman was always doomed to end in recrimination and litigation.

Allegations of financial impropriety at Tottenham were among charges levelled at Venables as he was disqualified for seven years from acting as company director.

If anything, that relieved the time pressures on someone with more strings to his bow than Stradivarius. That sparkling mind had first found an alternative outlet when he and his young team-mates at Chelsea, George Graham and Ron Harris, set up a tailors’ shop off Savile Row.

Ange Postecoglou pays tribute to Terry Venables

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou hails Terry Venables as the ‘best coach, manager and tactician’ ahead of his side’s clash with Aston Villa… as Spurs boss becomes the latest to pay respects to the football legend who died aged 80

He co-authored several novels — the first of which They Used To Play On Grass foretold the advent of artificial pitches — and some were turned into the ITV detective series Hazell. He also invented a board game, The Manager.

He might have taken a night job as a stand-up comic but he had a good voice and preferred singing. He recorded a number of English football ditties.

Barry Mason, famed composer of Delilah among many hits, wrote the lyrics for Numero Uno for El Tel on a napkin during one convivial night in Morton’s, the club overlooking Berkeley Square where an old ballad fantasised about nightingales singing. Numero Uno duly topped the charts in Catalonia as Venables belted out his rendition on Spanish television.

His infinite capacity for multi-tasking took in the purchase of Scribes West, a drinking and dining club relocated from Fleet Street to Kensington, where he led the karaoke efforts of an eclectic clientele of journalists, Gazza and other footballers, politicians and a sprinkling of underworld characters including Mad Frankie Fraser. While Venables was the front-of-house star his second wife Yvette, affectionately known as Toots, managed the business.

They worked that double act again when they launched their final project, a boutique hotel and gourmet restaurant south of Barcelona.

Its name was El Escondido, meaning the hidden place. So it remained, on its remote and beautiful hectares of mountainside above the Alicante coast, hidden from most except those in the know.

Venables’ vision of it becoming an elite football training centre and luxury golf resort waned as an economic crisis in Spain forced the withdrawal of backers and they sold up six years ago.

Their wedding, at which my wife Maria and I stood witness, was just as private, as would be their discreet shielding from intrusion into his recently faltering health.

The couple’s lasting romance had been kindled by the mischievous humour they found in each other the day they met in the Chingford pub run by Terry’s father Fred, from whom he inherited his sense of fun. That amusing bloodline flows on through Nancy and Tracey, beloved daughters of his late first wife Christine.

Venables remained proud to the end of his unique record of playing for England at every level. Others have appeared for England’s schoolboy, youth, Under 23s and full teams. Forward thinking even as a teenager, Venables delayed turning professional with Chelsea until he could collect the amateur cap which would complete his unrivalled resume.

Such important matters of state illuminated for years our regular Friday lunches at Langan’s in this illustrious company — Bobby Moore, George Graham, Bobby Keetch — the high-living, hard tackling centre half for West Ham, Fulham and QPR — England goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly, David Metchick, who in his seasons at a raft of clubs including Fulham, Leyton Orient, QPR and Arsenal pulled off the rare achievement of scoring every time he played against Gordon Banks, innovative sports television producers John Bromley and Mike Murphy, plus a couple or three kindred spirits.

Now and again fellow Cockney Michael Caine, George Best or Sean Connery would come to our table. Often we lingered on through dinner. Sometimes we returned for an early breakfast after a detour for cocktails in some of the West End’s salubrious establishments.

He would manage the England men’s national side between 1994 and 1996, leading the Three Lions to the European Championship semi-finals in 1996

Former Tottenham boss Venables holds hands with Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough as they lead out their sides at the 1991 FA Cup final

Venables took charge of a Rest of the World XI featuring Diego Maradona at Wembley in 1987

Tottenham and Aston Villa paid tribute to their former manager during Sunday’s Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium

The players gathered around the centre circle for a moment of applause 

Venables also enjoyed coaching spells with Middlesbrough and Leeds during his managerial career 

At times during such marathons Ireland’s champion drinker and larger-than-life personality Peter Langan, whose huge and bustling brasserie transformed the previously staid London restaurant scene, pulled up a chair and called for champagne by the ice buckets.

God alone knows how our livers survived so long. Albeit not all, which is why the last men sitting plan a Friday rematch in reminiscence of Terry and the other departed. For Venables, the glass was never half full, as he lived a life full to the effervescing brim.

‘Never a dull moment,’ he would say. Another key to his philosophy was this: ‘They say practice makes perfect. Wrong. Practice makes permanent, perfect or poor according to the quality of the practice.’

The last few phone calls of dwindling frequency and diminishing clarity practised a few of us for the impending loss of a friend we were already beginning to miss. Sadly, now, that poignancy is made perfect.

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