England’s Euro 96 heroes and where they are now…from Gazza to Darren Anderton and two future Three Lions managers

AT the 2018 World Cup, England fans truly believed football was coming home.

It had been a long 22 years since that iconic anthem was first released, just in time for Euro 96.

That summer, England fans dared to dream as the Three Lions marched to the semi-finals, only to be cruelly denied by old rivals Germany on penalties.

To this day, Euro 96 remains a favourite amongst fans – if in no small part down to the fact it was played on home soil.

And what’s not to love about that wonderful summer, with Terry Venables at the wheel?

Seaman’s penalty save from Gary McAllister’s spot-kick quickly turning into Gazza’s sensational solo strike against Scotland?

Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham scoring twice apiece as England ripped apart a Holland team at the peak of their powers 4-1?

Actually winning a penalty shootout in the nervy 4-2 win over a star-studded Spain squad?

What a summer that was…

With the full tournament set to – filling the void left by Euro 2020’s one-year delay – we take a look at the players from 24 years ago and what they’re up to now.

GK – David Seaman

ENGLAND’S undisputed No1 by the time Euro 96 came around, Seaman delighted fans with some superb displays and some, err, “loud” jerseys.

Who could forget those yellow and red tops, spattered with turquoise, green and purple. You know the ones…

Seaman was still England’s goalkeeper right up until the 2002 World Cup (remember Ronaldinho?)

He retired from football in 2003 aged 40 – before coaching at Arsenal part time and finding a second wave of fame in a series of ice dancing competitions.

Seaman married 2006 Dancing On Ice partner Frankie Poultney – and is said to be a big fan of shooting, golfing and travelling.

RB – Gary Neville

A WEE nipper at Euro 96, aged just 21 – Neville played right up until the semi-final loss against Germany, when England deployed a back-three.

Neville went on to spend his entire career at Manchester United, winning a staggering eight Premier League titles.

After hanging up his boots, Neville served as England’s assistant manager for four years between 2012 and 2016 under Roy Hodgson.

Following that, he endured a failed stint as Valencia manager, before turning his hand to punditry where he now stars for Sky Sports.

To this day, Nev is still England’s most-capped right-back with 85 appearances to his name.

He is also part-owner of Salford City FC – along with his Class of 92 pals.

CB – Tony Adams

THE Arsenal legend was arguably at the peak of his powers, aged 29 at the time of Euro 96 kicking off.

Captain Adams was a rock at the back throughout the tournament, allowing the talented midfield to attack, attack, attack.

Since hanging up his boots in 2002, the Arsenal legend – who spent his entire career at the club – has had a statue of himself erected at the Emirates Stadium.

Adams would go on to try his hand at management, taking over at Wycombe, Portsmouth and Azerbaijan side Gabala.

After a six-year job-gap, Adams was the shock name to take over at LaLiga side Granada – where he failed to inspire, but for a few meme-worthy antics…

In 2019, Adams took on the job as president of the Rugby Football League.

CB – Gareth Southgate

A 25-YEAR-OLD Southgate is best-remembered as a player for his unfortunate spot-kick miss in the semi-final of Euro 96.

The centre-back had his effort saved by Andreas Kopke as the Three Lions’ hopes of ending 30 years of hurt were crushed.

After racking up close to 200 league appearances at Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, Southgate retired in 2006, to take over as Boro boss.

Southgate spent three years as manager, clearly showing a knack for the job, but took a four-year gap before taking over his next role, as England Under-21s chief.

He spent a further three years in that position before being offered the top job, replacing Sam Allardyce as England manager.

Southgate came closer than any manager to leading England to a World Cup win since 1990, when he led the three Lions to the semi-finals of the 2018 tournament in Russia.

He is still England boss to this day and is regarded as the man who put waistcoats back on the map…

LB – Stuart Pearce

HE will forever be remembered for that iconic roar after netting his penalty against Spain in the quarter-finals.

Having missed his effort at Italia 90, Pearce was forced to wait six years to make amends – and he did so with aplomb as he rifled home an unstoppable left-foot bullet.

After 12 years and over 400 league appearances for Nottingham Forest, “Psycho” moved on to Newcastle in 1997 – before winding down his career at West Ham and Man City.

Despite retiring in 2002, Pearce returned as a PLAYER in 2016 – aged 53 – turning out for amateur side Longford.

The Gloucestershire side were then known as the “worst team in Great Britain”, with Pearce looking to help them out while also support grassroots football.

Since his initial retirement, Pearce has managed Forest twice – between 1996-97 as caretaker and 2014-15 as permanent boss.

Pearce has also managed the Great Britain team for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, as well as Manchester City (2005-07) and England Under-21s (2007-13).

RM – Darren Anderton

THANKS to a career blighted by injuries, many forget Anderton was actually England’s starting winger for two major tournaments, at Euro 96 and World Cup 98.

He spent 12 years at Tottenham – and was a Spurs man for the 1996 tournament – before winding down his career at Birmingham, Wolves and Bournemouth.

Anderton managed just 30 England caps, which is frustrating given his obvious talent.

The ex-Three Lions star served as a pundit for Canadian TV during Euro 2012.

That led to him being named honorary president of the Arlington Spurs – a Tottenham fan-group based in Virginia, USA.

CM – Paul Gascoigne

WHAT can you that hasn’t already been said?

From tears at Italia 90 to the “dentist chair” celebrating after his sensational goal against Scotland at Euro 96, Gazza will forever be a footballing icon.

While a hugely talented footballer on the pitch, tragedy has stalked Gascoigne off it.

His dad John took the troubled star to be sectioned in 2008 after he started taking cocaine as well as drinking.

His nephew, Jay Kerrigan, 22, died in 2016 and in 2018, his father died aged 72.

Gazza was also arrested in 2018 for an alleged sexual assault by kissing a woman on a train.

And then there was the infamous Raoul Moat incident, among many, many others…

At Rangers for Euro 96, after spells at Newcastle, Tottenham and Lazio, Gazza left fans in Scotland divided after his Wembley stunner.

Gascoigne would struggle later in his career at Everton, Middlesbrough, Boston United and a bizarre spell in China – which included “going finishing” in his hotel reception with some thread and a Jammie Dodger…

Gascoigne retired in 2004 and briefly managed Kettering Town in 2005 – his last foray into the world of football.

CM – Paul Ince

THEN at Inter Milan, the former Man Utd star – who later played for Liverpool – often kept David Platt out of the team at Euro 96.

Ince’s more defensive mindset allowed Gazza to thrive pushing further on.

He finished his career at Macclesfield in 2006 after time at Swindon, Wolves and Middlesbrough.

Ince would go on to manage Macclesfield immediately after quitting playing and has since managed MK Dons twice, Blackburn and, most-recently, Blackpool between 2013-14.

Still a budding manager, Ince also works as a pundit from time-to-time.

LM – Steve McManaman

AT the peak of his powers at Liverpool, before his 1999 move to Real Madrid, McManaman was a star turn at Euro 96.

The then-Reds star was named in the Euro 96 squad of the tournament, terrorising defenders with his pace, skill and direct running style.

After a trophy-laden stint at Los Blancos, winning two LaLiga crowns and two Champions League titles, McManaman ended his career at Man City in 2005.

He now works as a pundit for BT Sport, having coached for a spell at Liverpool’s youth team and also working as an ambassador for Fifa and Uefa.

ST – Alan Shearer

THE top scorer at Euro 96, Shearer was THE standout player at the tournament with five goals.

Having shone at Southampton and helped Blackburn win a shock Premier League title, Shearer left Rovers to move to Newcastle after the tournament, snubbing Man Utd.

Shearer spent a decade at the Toon, scoring a sensational 148 Premier League goals in just over 300 games.

His incredible legacy at Newcastle was tarnished slightly by a failed stint as interim manager in 2009.

Shearer hasn’t managed since but has continued to be a hugely successful pundit, most-notably on Match of the Day.

ST – Teddy Sheringham

PARTNERING Shearer to devastating effect at Euro 96 was Sheringham – who scored his only two goals of the tournament in the 4-1 thumping of Holland, taking on the role of creator.

Then 30, Sheringham would go on to play for another 12 YEARS, until he was 42 – turning out for Spurs, Man Utd, West Ham, Portsmouth and Colchester, where he retired in 2008.

But he made a stunning comeback in 2015, aged 49, with Stevenage – when he assumed the role of player-manager.

Sheringham also managed Indian side ATK between 2017-18.

Since retiring, Sheringham has also carved out a career in the world of poker and coached at West Ham before moving into management.