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Terry Venables was like the Del Boy of football.
That loveable Londoner, with an eye for a deal, quick buck and cheeky smile as big as the capital itself. A bloke who oozed charm and charisma.
Like when he wooed the home crowd at his first home game in charge of Barcelona in 1984 by addressing them in Catalan. Venables went on to lead Barca to the La Liga title in his first season, but also went on to sell Diego Maradona.
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That was Venables in a nutshell. Dark, swarthy and sophisticated on the outside, but tough as old boots on the inside.
A man who saw his chance and took it, irrespective of the dangers that lie in wait. Someone prepared to stand up for what he believed in, make a tough decision even he knew it would be unpopular.
A proper character, if you like, who went from Dagenham to some of the most glorified and prestigious dugouts in the game. There was a sharp intake of breath when the FA decided to make him England boss in 1994.
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Because the appointment came while Venables found himself slap bang in the middle of more legal battles with police and enemies than Rumpole of the Bailey. But this is how Venables and his life was.
'El Tel', right?
A genial coach and tactician, someone who could call a game 48 hours before it had taken place. A footballing ambassador and great communicator with a wicked sense of humour.
But also someone who lived life to the full outside of the game, too. Just ask anyone privileged enough to have been in his company in the Scribes private members club he once owned in Kensington?
That's the place he went to celebrate England's successful run to the semi finals of Euro 96. One he masterminded, then raised a glass of champagne to before hitting the karaoke machine while music legends like Ronnie Wood and Gloria Estefan would look on.
Venables loved people as much as he loved football, and gave them his time. He also loved the trappings and opportunities his rollercoaster managerial career of success – and failure it has to be said – provided him.
He met his second wife in his dad's pub in Chingford, before sweeping her off to Barcelona with him. He went on to open a boutique hotel in Alicante, became an author and co-creator of the hit TV series 'Hazell'.
Venables even once recorded a cover version of the Elvis Presley song 'If I Can Dream'. Which feels fitting now, following news of his sad passing at the age of 80.
Because few people in the game dreamed more often or bigger than he did. Some of them came true, while others turned into absolute nightmares.
But it was one heck of a journey while it lasted, and made the national sport a much richer and more colourful place. The game needs people like Venables in it, because it's all about one thing.
Entertainment.
- Barcelona FC
- England Football Team
- Only Fools and Horses
- Tottenham Hotspur FC
- Diego Maradona
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