Terry Venables was hailed as "the most technically gifted British coach" in history as the biggest names in English football paid tribute following his death at the age of 80.
The former England manager, who masterminded the 4-1 demolition of the Netherlands at Euro 96, "died peacefully" after a long illness, his family said.
His death immediately sparked an outpouring of tributes from some of football's best-known figures, as well as from the Football Association and his former club Tottenham.
Dagenham-born Venables, affectionately known as El Tel after becoming one of the first English managers to achieve success abroad with Barcelona, was a pioneer of modern coaching methods.
As a player he made more than 500 appearances for Chelsea, Tottenham, QPR and Crystal Palace, but he made his real mark internationally in management, including at Palace and QPR.
"We are completely 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.
"We ask for privacy at this incredibly sad time so that we can mourn the loss of this dear man who we were so fortunate to have in our lives."
In Spain, Venables won La Liga with Barcelona in 1984-85 and the FA Cup with Spurs in 1991. As England manager, he guided the team to the Euro 96 semi-finals on home soil.
Barcelona said: "FC Barcelona deeply regrets the passing of Terry Venables, who managed Barca from 1984 to 1987. Our condolences to his loved ones. Rest in peace."
Among that famous Euro 96 line-up was current England manager Gareth Southgate, who missed a decisive penalty against Germany in the semi-final. "Tactically excellent, he had a great manner and could deal with everyone from the youngest player to the biggest star," said Southgate, who was handed his international debut by Venables in 1995.
"He was open-minded, forward-thinking, enjoyed life to the fullest and created a brilliant environment with England in which his players could flourish and play one of the most memorable tournaments in English history. A brilliant man who made people feel special. I am very sad to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with Yvette and all his family.
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After stepping down as England manager after Euro 96, Venables returned to the side in 2006 as Steve McClaren's assistant, but left after they failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan, who announced Venables' death on behalf of his family, said the LMA was "deeply saddened".
Tottenham held a minute's applause and the players wore black armbands for Sunday's match at home to Villa. "We are extremely saddened by the death of Terry Venables, our former player, manager and CEO, who passed away on Saturday," a club statement said.
Gary Lineker, who signed Venables for Barcelona from Everton in 1986 and then brought him to Tottenham in 1989 after taking the White Hart Lane job, paid his own tribute on X, formerly Twitter:
Devastated to hear that Terry Venables has passed away. The best, most innovative coach I had the privilege and pleasure to play for. However, he was much more than just a great manager: he was lively, he was charming, he was witty, he was a friend. He will be greatly missed....
- Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 26, 2023
Former England striker Alan Shearer, who spearheaded Venables' Euro 96 side, posted on X: "Extremely sad news that the great Terry Venables has passed away. RIP boss. I owe you so much. You were great."
Gary Neville, who also made his international debut with Venables, said he was "an incredible personality and character, larger than life".
He added: "He was someone who was a players man, looked after his players and stood up for his players in big situations like the trip to Hong Kong before 1996 and the dentist chair incident.
"A personality that was far too big for the then rigid and stiff FA and that's why they got rid of him after Euro 96 and the relationship ended.
"I sit here today reflecting on my special times with Terry and can say that he is without doubt the most technically gifted British coach we have ever produced."
At Tottenham, even Villa fans paid tribute
The Terry Venables news reached Tottenham two hours before kick-off against Aston Villa and too late to change the pre-match music. So the death of one of this club's most beloved managers was not marked by his beloved crooners, but by banging house remixes of modern pop. Perhaps that was true, Venables never seemed one for solemnity.
His time here ended unhappily in a row with Alan Sugar, but all memories of grudges have faded. Nothing could overshadow the team of Gascoigne, Lineker and Mabbutt that he formed and led to the FA Cup in 1991. Football's past and present always collide outside this venue, where audiences span generations and distances travelled. There are the local loyalists who saw Venables' debut as a midfielder in 1966, but also a fair number of primary school children and tourists, especially from South Korea, who ticked Son Heung-min off their bucket lists.
Few of the latter groups had first-hand memories of Venables, and neither did Tottenham's players. Only Fraser Forster, one of two goalkeepers on the Spurs bench, was born when Venables won their FA Cup here. Son, Ben Davies and Giovani Lo Celso were the only Spurs starters still alive by the time he coached England against Switzerland in the first match of Euro 96.
They and Spurs' younger fans would have understood the affection for Venables after the game's prologue. The teams emerged a minute ahead of schedule, no small feat on such short notice when every second from the opening of the turnstiles to kick-off is taken into account. As stadium announcer Paul Coyte relayed the news, spontaneous applause erupted from the stands.
Tottenham and Aston Villa players huddled around the center circle to join in, and the towering South Stand became an old favourite, from a time when this ground was a little less polished. "Oh, Terry Terry" to the tune of Son of my Father. There was a warmth, as far as such things can be judged, also from the Villa section. The summer of 1996 was Venables' gift to English football fans and affection for him spread wider than for most managers so closely associated with one club.
'By far the best coach, manager and tactician'
"A very sad day but he leaves great memories for this football club," said former Spurs centre-back Graham Roberts before the match. "He played here, he led the team and he was a fantastic man. His football was fantastic. The managers who brought the Tottenham way, Terry was one of them. I'm sure Gazza will be very sad today because when Terry was involved he was a great player."
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou understands Venables' totem status. "If you ask for anyone who embodies everything this football club has always wanted to be, it's Terry," he told Sky Sports. "It wasn't just about the way he led or coached; it was the person he was.
"He also influenced Australia. He was the manager of the national team and almost got us to the World Cup, but the biggest proof is that everyone I have ever met who has worked with him will say that he is by far the best coach, manager and tactician they have to have. come across."
There are still ten days before Tottenham play at home again, plenty of time for fans and club to plan thoughtful tributes. For the time being, after the final whistle, a black and white portrait on the four large screens hanging in the corners. His old team had lost from a winning position and are facing a bleak winter with an impressive number of injuries. But there was Venables as we will remember him, smiling through adversity.
