The former manager the England football team Terry Venables has died at the age 80 following a long-term illness. 

He famously led the national team to the semi-finals of Euro 96 after forging a highly successful club managerial career with Crystal Palace, QPR, Barcelona and Tottenham. 

He also made over 500 appearances for Chelsea, Tottenham, QPR and Crystal Palace as a player. 

Mr Venables also co-wrote detective novels in the 1970s, which were turned into the TV series Hazell from 1978 to 1979. 

A statement from the family of Venables said: "We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness.” 

Mr Venables also won the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspurs as a manager and a player. In a statement online, the club said it was “extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player and manager Terry Venables”. 

“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.” 

Terry Venables pictured during Tottenham Hotspurs practise, 21/09/1966. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Defender Gary Neville was given his first international cap by Mr Venables in 1995 and said he never played under a coach like him. 

“He would also predict the outcomes of games,” he said  

“I've got no doubt this was the most technically gifted, tactically aware English and British coach we ever produced.” 

Born on January 6th, 1943, in Essex, Mr Venables had two daughters from his first wife. He married his second wife in 1991.