Former England and Tottenham Hotspur manager Terry Venables, whose death at the age of 80 was announced on Sunday, was remembered fondly on Monday in Australia, where he served as head coach of the Socceroos for two years. Despite the most notable aspect of Venables's reign being the failure to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in a playoff against Iran, warm tributes were paid to the man who became known to one and all as "El Tel" after his stint at Barcelona.

With Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Spurs and the Catalan giants on his resume, it was a huge surprise when Venables was lured Down Under after England's semi-final exit from Euro 96.

"We had to pinch ourselves to think we had Terry Venables as coach, it was very surreal," former Australia midfielder Robbie Slater told Fox Sports News.

"He was a wonderful man, larger than life, almost like a rock star. As a person, I found him so endearing and so easy to like and I think his man-management skills were incredible. "He really took an interest in all the players and he loved his time with the Socceroos and he was devastated by the loss to Iran."

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Under Venables, Australia reached the final of the 1997 Confederations Cup, where they lost 6-0 to Brazil after hat-tricks from Ronaldo and Romario, and breached the top 30 of the FIFA rankings for the first time. The Holy Grail for the Socceroos, though, was getting to the World Cup finals and they looked on course to do just that until Iran scored two late goals in the second leg of their intercontinental playoff in late 1997.

Venables later said he had never felt as low as that night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where 85,000 fans had gathered in the hope of watching Australia break their long World Cup finals drought. "Terry was not just a great person and character, he was a very special coach," his assistant with the Socceroos Les Scheinflug said in a Football Australia statement.

"We were incredibly lucky to have him at the helm of the Socceroos. Terry commenced our journey towards realising our ambition of returning to the World Cup stage (in 2006)." Ange Postecoglou, the Australian now managing Spurs, also acknowledged the influence Venables had on football Down Under after the Premier League club's game at Tottenham Stadium on Sunday. "Anyone who I've ever come across who has worked with him will say that he's by far the best coach, manager, tactician they've come across," Postecoglou told reporters.

Former England and Tottenham Hotspur manager Terry Venables, whose death at the age of 80 was announced on Sunday, was remembered fondly on Monday in Australia, where he served as head coach of the Socceroos for two years.

Former England and Tottenham Hotspur manager Terry Venables, whose death at the age of 80 was announced on Sunday, was remembered fondly on Monday in Australia, where he served as head coach of the Socceroos for two years. Despite the most notable aspect of Venables's reign being the failure to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in a playoff against Iran, warm tributes were paid to the man who became known to one and all as "El Tel" after his stint at Barcelona. With Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Spurs and the Catalan giants on his resume, it was a huge surprise when Venables was lured Down Under after England's semi-final exit from Euro 96. "We had to pinch ourselves to think we had Terry Venables as coach, it was very surreal," former Australia midfielder Robbie Slater told Fox Sports News. "He was a wonderful man, larger than life, almost like a rock star. As a person, I found him so endearing and so easy to like and I think his man-management skills were incredible. "He really took an interest in all the players and he loved his time with the Socceroos and he was devastated by the loss to Iran." Also Read: Sri Lanka Sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe sacked following cricket board cleanup saga Under Venables, Australia reached the final of the 1997 Confederations Cup, where they lost 6-0 to Brazil after hat-tricks from Ronaldo and Romario, and breached the top 30 of the FIFA rankings for the first time. The Holy Grail for the Socceroos, though, was getting to the World Cup finals and they looked on course to do just that until Iran scored two late goals in the second leg of their intercontinental playoff in late 1997. Venables later said he had never felt as low as that night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where 85,000 fans had gathered in the hope of watching Australia break their long World Cup finals drought. "Terry was not just a great person and character, he was a very special coach," his assistant with the Socceroos Les Scheinflug said in a Football Australia statement. "We were incredibly lucky to have him at the helm of the Socceroos. Terry commenced our journey towards realising our ambition of returning to the World Cup stage (in 2006)." Ange Postecoglou, the Australian now managing Spurs, also acknowledged the influence Venables had on football Down Under after the Premier League club's game at Tottenham Stadium on Sunday. "Anyone who I've ever come across who has worked with him will say that he's by far the best coach, manager, tactician they've come across," Postecoglou told reporters.

Tributes pour in from all across world for veteran manager Terry Venables

Terry Venables, the former manager of England's national soccer team and Tottenham Hotspur, has died aged 80 after an illness, his family said on Sunday.

Venables guided England to the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championship on home soil before losing to Germany on penalties.

"We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness," the family said in a statement.

In addition to his spell in charge of Tottenham, during which he won the FA Cup in the 1990-91 season, he also took charge of Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Barcelona in a glittering managerial career.

During his time at Barcelona, Venables earned the nickname El Tel, winning LaLiga and reaching the European Cup final in 1986. Venables was also responsible for bringing British strikers Gary Lineker and Mark Hughes to the Nou Camp.

"The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for," Lineker, who also played under Venables at Spurs and England, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"He was much more, though, than just a great manager, he was vibrant, he was charming, he was witty, he was a friend."

Venables started his professional career as a player with Chelsea in 1960 and played for Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace before retiring to take over the manager's role there.

As a player, he made over 500 league appearances and won the League Cup with Chelsea in 1965 and the FA Cup with Spurs in 1967. He made two international appearances for England.

Venables also had a two-year stint as chief executive of Spurs from 1991-93.

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"We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Venables, our former player, manager and chief executive, who passed away on Saturday," Spurs said in a statement.

Current England manager Gareth Southgate, part of the Euro 1996 side and who missed a penalty in the shootout defeat by Germany, said Venables "made people feel special."

"Any player will have great affinity with the manager that gave them their opportunity, but it was quickly evident playing for Terry Venables that he was an outstanding coach and manager," Southgate said.

"Tactically excellent, he had a wonderful manner, capable of handling everyone from the youngest player to the biggest star."

Venables also brought the mercurial Paul Gascoigne to Tottenham from Newcastle in 1988, helping him become one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world.

"Such a sad day, cheers boss," Gascoigne said.

Terry Venables, the former manager of England's national soccer team and Tottenham Hotspur, has died aged 80 after an illness, his family said on Sunday. Venables guided England to the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championship on home soil before losing to Germany on penalties.

Terry Venables, the former manager of England's national soccer team and Tottenham Hotspur, has died aged 80 after an illness, his family said on Sunday. Venables guided England to the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championship on home soil before losing to Germany on penalties. "We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness," the family said in a statement. In addition to his spell in charge of Tottenham, during which he won the FA Cup in the 1990-91 season, he also took charge of Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Barcelona in a glittering managerial career. During his time at Barcelona, Venables earned the nickname El Tel, winning LaLiga and reaching the European Cup final in 1986. Venables was also responsible for bringing British strikers Gary Lineker and Mark Hughes to the Nou Camp. "The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for," Lineker, who also played under Venables at Spurs and England, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "He was much more, though, than just a great manager, he was vibrant, he was charming, he was witty, he was a friend." Venables started his professional career as a player with Chelsea in 1960 and played for Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace before retiring to take over the manager's role there. As a player, he made over 500 league appearances and won the League Cup with Chelsea in 1965 and the FA Cup with Spurs in 1967. He made two international appearances for England. Venables also had a two-year stint as chief executive of Spurs from 1991-93. ALSO READ: Formula 1: Max Verstappen caps off majestic season with record-breaking win at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix "We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Venables, our former player, manager and chief executive, who passed away on Saturday," Spurs said in a statement. Current England manager Gareth Southgate, part of the Euro 1996 side and who missed a penalty in the shootout defeat by Germany, said Venables "made people feel special." "Any player will have great affinity with the manager that gave them their opportunity, but it was quickly evident playing for Terry Venables that he was an outstanding coach and manager," Southgate said. "Tactically excellent, he had a wonderful manner, capable of handling everyone from the youngest player to the biggest star." Venables also brought the mercurial Paul Gascoigne to Tottenham from Newcastle in 1988, helping him become one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world. "Such a sad day, cheers boss," Gascoigne said.

Former England and Barcelona manager Terry Venables dies at 80 due to illness

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Tributes pour in from all across world for veteran manager Terry Venables

Former England and Barcelona manager Terry Venables dies at 80 due to illness