England’s legendary Euro 96 coach Terry Venables leaves eye-opening sum to his wife after his death at 80
FORMER England boss Terry Venables left his wife a £3.3million fortune following his death at the age of 80.
The charismatic Three Lions coach, who reached the semi-finals of Euro 96, died in 2023.
His probate details were published today and showed that he left a sum of £4,765,370.
But once debts and bills were accounted for the value of this estate was recalculated at £3,289,952.
His will, which was written six years before his death, left the entire sum to his beloved wife Yvette.
Known as ‘El Tel’, Venables’ colourful career spanned decades.
The father of two had a successful playing career at Chelsea, Spurs and QPR, but it was in the dug-out where he sparkled.
After successful stints as boss of Crystal Palace and QPR, he took Barcelona to the La Liga title in 1985 and a European Cup final the following year.
And he guided Spurs to FA Cup victory in 1991 – a game which saw Paul Gascoigne taken off injured after just 15 minutes.
But Venables’ defining moment came in 1996 when he masterminded England’s thrilling Euro campaign on home soil.
His Three Lions played with a swagger – demolishing the Dutch 4-1 and giving a nation hope before bowing out on penalties to Germany, with Gareth Southgate’s now famous missed spot kick.
Off the pitch, Venables was co-author of crime novels, and a businessman, TV pundit, and even pop star.
Following his death, ex England boss Sir Gareth Southgate said: “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.
“He was open minded, forward thinking, enjoyed life to the full and created a brilliant environment with England that allowed his players to flourish and have one of the most memorable tournaments in England history.
“A brilliant man, who made people feel special, I’m very sad to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with Yvette and all of his family.”
And Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said: “Devastated to hear that Terry Venables has died. The best, most innovative coach that I had the privilege and pleasure of playing for.
“He was much more, though, than just a great manager, he was vibrant, he was charming, he was witty, he was a friend.
“He’ll be hugely missed. Sending love and condolences to Yvette and the family.
“RIP Terry.”
Terry Venables' life outside football
By Michael Hamilton
TERRY Venables was a larger-than-life footie legend — but also found time to write a TV detective series, release a board game and run a private members’ club and boutique hotel.
An accomplished singer, he also made it to 23 in the charts with Elvis Presley song If I Can Dream, backed by a choir and recorded for The Sun’s World Cup advert in 2010.
Terry’s agent and long-time friend Jonathan Harris said after his passing: “The song is appropriate because he always took the view that, if you had dreams, you should pursue them to the best of your ability.
“He was an extraordinary man — charismatic, quick-witted, innovative and incredibly loyal.”
A long illness meant that one of his last contributions to public life was penning an open letter to Gareth Southgate and his team — published in The Sun — on the eve of the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 final.
He wrote: “Football is just like life. You have to give it your best shot. Take the best and survive the rest.”
Terry was born in bomb-blitzed Dagenham, East London, in 1943.
He was the only child of Royal Navy petty officer Fred Venables and Welsh wife Myrtle.
As a child he moved in with his nearby grandparents Ossie and Milly so that his parents could run a pub in Romford.
Midfielder Terry became an apprentice at Chelsea aged 15.
Two years later he entered a singing contest at Butlin’s in Clacton-on-Sea, but Chelsea did not allow him to compete in the final stages.
After his footballing career, Terry wrote five novels. And, with Gordon Williams, he co-wrote the popular detective novels Hazell — later turned into a successful ITV series starring Nicholas Ball
Wheeler-dealer Terry opened a West End tailor’s shop with his then-Chelsea teammates George Graham and Ron “Chopper” Harris.
He married Christine McCann in 1966 and they had two daughters before splitting.
He met second wife Yvette Bazire in his father’s pub in Chingford in 1984 and she went with him when he went to manage Barcelona that year.
The couple ran Scribes West private members’ club in Kensington — where Terry mixed with an array of “colourful” characters — before selling it for close to £1million in 1997.
Terry and Yvette also set up a boutique hotel and restaurant La Escondida in Alicante before he retired in 2019.