Pundits, podcasters, Masked Singer stars - and the man plotting the Dutch downfall at Euro 2024: Where are England's stars from the 4-1 win over the Netherlands at Euro 96 now?

By Dylan Buckley

Published: | Updated:

Tuesday the 18th of June 1996 was a remarkable day for English football as a 4-1 demolition of a star-studded Netherlands team saw the Three Lions qualify for the last 16 of the European Championship in style.

Teddy Sheringham and Alan Shearer, who was on the brink of a record breaking transfer to his boyhood club Newcastle at the time, both scored twice on a memorable day at Wembley.

Victory over the Dutch, and the manner of the win, raised belief that England could go all the way at their home Euros but their dream came crashing down after a heartbreaking defeat by Germany on penalties in the semi-finals. 


The side from the hammering of the Netherlands 28 years ago have gone on to take very different paths with some having remained in the football industry and others choosing careers outside of the game.

England have the chance to go one further on Wednesday night when they face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals in Dortmund. Here, Mail Sport looks at the Three Lions' team of 1996 and where they are now.

England beat the Netherlands 4-1 at Euro 96 - and take on the Dutch for a place in the Euro 2024 final

England beat the Netherlands 4-1 at Euro 96 - and take on the Dutch for a place in the Euro 2024 final

 

Goalkeeper - David Seaman

The Arsenal and England legend was a key member of the team at Euro 96 and enjoyed a stellar career in the game, winning three league titles, four FA Cups and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

After retiring in 2004, Seaman has dabbled in reality TV, winning the first edition of Strictly Ice Dancing, played in all six Soccer Aid matches for England, done a considerable amount of work for charity - and even appeared in The Masked Singer with his wife, Frankie Poultney.

He now hosts his own weekly football podcast, Seaman Says. Seaman lives with Ms Poultney, his third wife, and has four children.

 

Right back - Gary Neville 

It is fair to say that Neville, a one-man club, has been busy since his trophy flooded career was brought to a close.

In 2011 he decided to remain in football and enjoyed a largely seamless and transition into broadcasting for Sky Sports.

Four years later, he made the move into management but endured a disastrous spell with Valencia. After losing his job at the Spanish club, he said that he was doing 'all the things he says not to do on television'.

Neville is now a businessman as well as a well-known pundit, recently appearing on Dragon's Den. He is listed as a director for 56 businesses including hotels, pubs and restaurants and has an estimated net worth of £70m.

David Seaman has enjoyed a successful career post-retirement and hosts his own podcast

David Seaman has enjoyed a successful career post-retirement and hosts his own podcast

Gary Neville moved into punditry after ending his career and also works in business

Gary Neville moved into punditry after ending his career and also works in business

 

Centre back - Tony Adams 

Adams, captain of the team which thrashed the Netherlands, retired from football in 2002 following fitness problems.

The ex-Arsenal legend has openly discussed suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, and in 2015 underwent heart surgery which he later said had saved his life. 

Adams, whose spell as a manager took him to far-flung places including Azerbaijan, has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing but his time on the show was cut short due to injury.

 

Centre back - Gareth Southgate  

Southgate, capped 57 times by England, featured in the 4-1 win over the Netherlands and will now aim to guide the country to the final of the Euros as manager.

He has been in charge of the The Three Lions since 2016 and reached three semi finals in major tournaments, making him undoubtedly the most successful English manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.

Euro 2024 could be his last chance to taste glory with England and they will move a step closer to ending their long wait for a major trophy if they can repeat the exploits of Southgate's team from 28 years ago by beating the Dutch on Wednesday night.

Gareth Southgate starred for England at Euro 96 and is now plotting another Dutch downfall

Gareth Southgate starred for England at Euro 96 and is now plotting another Dutch downfall

 

Left back - Stuart Pearce 

Pearce became the face of England's bid to win the tournament in 1996 after an infamous celebration for his penalty which represented the joy of a nation.

The England star retired in 2002 but briefly appeared for non-league club Longford AFC who had lost 18 consecutive games on the bounce and had a -178 goal difference.

Since calling time on his career, Pearce has managed teams including the Team GB football side at London 2012, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest. He is now a pundit, appearing regularly on talkSPORT. 

 

Right midfield - Darren Anderton 

Ex-Tottenham and Portsmouth midfielder Anderton retired from football in 2008 after recording 30 caps and scoring on seven occasions.

Anderton now lives in the United States, following his beloved Spurs from afar, and works as a pundit on US and Canadian television and in print.

Stuart Pearce enjoyed a career as a manager after retiring and now works as a TV and radio pundit

Stuart Pearce enjoyed a career as a manager after retiring and now works as a TV and radio pundit

 

Centre midfield - Paul Ince 

Paul Ince who made history becoming the first black man to captain England has moved around managerial jobs in the lower leagues since his retirement from professional football in 2007. 

The former Man United midfielder has since managed the likes of MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers and Notts County. 

His last job came at Reading, where he was sacked in April 2023. Ince is currently employed as he plots a way back into management. 

Paul Ince (centre-right) also went into management following the end of his playing career

Paul Ince (centre-right) also went into management following the end of his playing career

 

Centre midfield - Paul Gascoigne

The star of England's run to the semi-finals at Euro 96, Gascoigne is still fighting his never ending battle to stay sober. Four months ago, the 57-year-old revealed that he was homeless and living in his agent's living room.

Gascoigne suffered and is suffering with mental health problems and has been diagnosed multiple times with different conditions.

Since retiring, Gascoigne has been open about his battle against alcohol addiction and he has admitted that he is back attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

The England footballing genius, who is also known as 'Gazza', has also appeared at charity football matches and on TV since retiring.

Paul Gascoigne, one of England's greatest ever, has opened up on his struggles with alcohol and depression

Paul Gascoigne, one of England's greatest ever, has opened up on his struggles with alcohol and depression

 

Left midfield - Steve McManaman

McManaman retired from football in 2005 after being released from Manchester City after a two year spell at the club.

He has followed the likes of Neville into the media and works as a co-commentator for ESPN and TNT Sports.

The ex-Liverpool man has a passion for horse racing and has owned several horses.

Steve McManaman regularly covers big matches in his work as a pundit for TNT Sports

Steve McManaman regularly covers big matches in his work as a pundit for TNT Sports

 

Striker - Teddy Sheringham 

Sheringham entered management in the 2014/15 season for Stevenage and after 33 games it was deemed that he had failed.

The next step of his managerial career was a move to ATK in the Indian Super League where he was sacked after half a season after winning three out of his ten games in charge.

Since his failed career in management, Sheringham has appeared on the Masked Singer - he was 'Tree' in the first edition of the series in 2020 - and is often seen on Sky Sports News to discuss the latest football stories.

Sheringham has appeared on the Masked Singer - he was 'Tree' in the first edition of the series in 2020

Sheringham has appeared on the Masked Singer - he was 'Tree' in the first edition of the series in 2020

 

Striker - Alan Shearer

The Premier league's all-time top goalscorer Alan Shearer is now a pundit and co-commentator for the BBC.

Shearer, now 53, also appears on the Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards. 

He also has a charity, The Alan Shearer Foundation, which raises money to buy supplies for a disability centre in Newcastle which provides free sensory and specialist leisure activities.

Alan Shearer works as one of the BBC's main pundits and appears on the Rest is Football podcast

Alan Shearer works as one of the BBC's main pundits and appears on the Rest is Football podcast

 

Substitute - Robbie Fowler 

Fowler has taken his career on an interesting path having moved around managerial jobs in Australia, India and the second division of Saudi Arabia.

He has said that he is open to a potential move back to England and in the Premier League if the right job opens up.

He has also increased his net worth to about £30m due to a series of investments into businesses, properties and companies.

 

Substitute - David Platt 

Platt is another to have gone into management, working at Nottingham Forest and Sampdoria as well as being Roberto Mancini's assistant at Manchester City.

He has previously worked as a pundit and consultant for the City Football Group, while he founded a company called Golazzo Group, which helps grassroots clubs source equipment.

 

Substitute - Nick Barmby 

Barmby briefly managed Hull City after retiring from the game. He has since shied away from the public eye.