Terry Venables: Chelsea and Tottenham legend shortlisted to coach Nigeria at 1998 World Cup passes away

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur legend Terry Venables has passed away at the age of 80, the English Football Association has confirmed.

Venables was on a shortlist of three marquee coaches to manage Nigeria at the 1998 World Cup finals in France, the others being 1996 Atlanta Olympics-winning coach Jo Bonfrere and Serbian tactician Bora Milutinović.

The Super Eagles were without a coach in the months leading up to the 1998 World Cup following the dismissal of Frenchman Philippe Troussier.

The Nigeria Football Federation eventually appointed Milutinović as coach of the national team for their second appearance at the World Cup.

As a player, Venables won the Football League Cup with Chelsea in 1965 and the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur in 1967.

He had a glittering managerial career at some of Europe's top clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona, and also managed the Australian and English national teams. 

A product of Chelsea's youth team, Venables made over 200 appearances for The Blues before transferring to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, for whom he made 141 appearances in all competitions and scored nine goals.

Venables won two England caps and managed the Three Lions between 1994 and 1996.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com 

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