Gary Neville recalls Terry Venables’ amazing reaction to Euro 96 dentist chair incident that summed up England icon
GARY NEVILLE has recalled the reaction that Terry Venables had to England’s Euro 96 dentist chair incident.
The iconic manager sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 80 after a long illness and tributes from those in his life have been flooding in ever since.
Neville played under Venables for the England national team and took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his sadness at the loss of a footballing legend and tell a memorable story.
The former Manchester United right-back was part of the England team for Euro 1996 which was hosted on home soil.
And the Three Lions had an iconic moment in their pre-tournament trip to Hong Kong when players were snapped in the “dentist’s chair” in a bar.
England’s finest were seen with their head’s tipped back having alcohol poured directly into their mouths.
But despite the compromising photos, Venables stuck up for his team and Neville reckons that summed him up as a manager and as a man.
He wrote: “He was an unbelievable personality and character, larger than life.
“He was someone who was a player’s man, looked after his players, stood up for his players in big situations like the pre-96 trip to Hong Kong and the dentist chair incident.
“He was someone who the players trusted and had great faith in and he always spoke openly,
“And he was a personality that was far too big for the then rigid and stiff FA football association and that’s why they got rid of him after Euro 96 and why the relationship ended.”
Neville was also full of praise for his former gaffer’s tactical ability as he labelled him as Britain’s most gifted coach.
He wrote: “So sorry to hear the news of my very first England coach, Terry Venables.
“A man who gave me a chance to play for my country and became without a shadow of doubt my number one England coach in my whole career.”
He added: “I sit here today thinking back to my special times with Terry and can say he is without doubt the most technically gifted British coach we’ve ever produced.”
Terry Venables enjoyed a superb managerial career taking charge of England, Barcelona, Tottenham, QPR and even more top flight teams.
And his family confirmed his heartbreaking passing in a statement that read: ” We are totally devastated by the loss of a wonderful husband and father who passed away peacefully yesterday after a long illness.
“We would ask that privacy be given at this incredibly sad time to allow us to mourn the loss of this lovely man who we were so lucky to have had in our lives.”