Former Socceroos coach and football great Terry Venables dies aged 80

The man involved in one of the most iconic moments in Socceroos history has died.

Former Socceroos coach Terry Venables has died. Picture: Darryl Gregory

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich led the tributes for Terry Venables after the former Australia, England, Barcelona and Tottenham coach died in the UK.

Ange Postecoglou also hailed the influence Venables, who fell agonisingly short of getting the Socceroos to the 1998 World Cup finals following an unforgettable MCG loss to Iran, had on the Australian team during his 23 games in charge between 1997-1998.

Venables, who as a player made more than 500 appearances for Chelsea, Tottenham, QPR and Crystal Palace and also had a playing stint in Australia before making his real mark as a coach, died aged 80 after an illness.

Having played briefly for Canterbury-Marrickville Olympic (now Canterbury Bankstown) at the end of his career, Venables was lured back to Australia after reaching the final of the 1996 European Championships with England.

His Australian team, with the likes of Bosnich in goal and stars including Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell, were 2-0 up against Iran in the final play-off match for a place in the World Cup finals.

But two late goals to the visitors in front of 85,000 at the MCG broke the hearts of a nation in one of the country’s most iconic sporting moments.

“RIP Terry Venables … what a wonderful manager, learned so much, and an even better man,” said Bosnich, who was in goal that night at the MCG.

RIP Terry Venables…what a wonderful manager,learned so much,and an even better man…xmb pic.twitter.com/m9oiWOKBnj

— Mark Bosnich (@TheRealBozza) November 26, 2023

The Socceroos went on to reach the final of the Confederation Cup, losing to Brazil, but that only served to make the pain of missing out more raw.

Tottenham manager Postecoglou, who was also a coach of the Socceroos, paid tribute to Venables after learning of his death.

“If you are asking about a person who embodies everything this football club has always wanted to be, it is Terry,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

“It wasn’t just about the way he managed or coached, it was the person he was.

“He influenced Australia as well. He was the manager for the national team and almost got us to the World Cup, but the biggest testament is that anyone who I have ever come across that has worked with him will say he is by far the best coach, manager and tactician they have come across.”