Terry Venables' Euro 96 masterclass: How England were ahead of the curve

Manager Terry Venables holding a cup of tea at a training session of the England national football team at the Bisham Abbey sports centre in Berkshire, 4th June 1996
Manager Terry Venables holding a cup of tea at Bisham Abbey during Euro 96 (Image credit: Future)

For more than 20 years, the summer of ’96 was as good as it got for England. Not purely in terms of a tournament finish – Sir Bobby Robson had inspired a semi-final appearance just six years prior – but for how supporting your country is supposed to feel. 

Here was a team, lampooned by the press leading up to the finals and facing selection questions all across the pitch, delivering some of the most memorable results in the nation’s history. 

With Baddiel and Skinner’s quasi-national Three Lions still soundtracking the dizzying highs of England’s new era of consistent major tournament progress, it’s often forgotten that it was originally released when expectations were at their lowest...

WATCH | Why England's EURO 96 Team Was So Far Ahead Of Its Time

28 years on from the tournament, the Three Lions tactics have been studied by analytical ace Adam Clery. 

Here, FourFourTwo gives you the lowdown on how Venables crafted an England team that has been etched into our memories ever since...

The build-up

Alan Shearer celebrates after scoring for England against the Netherlands at Euro 96.

Alan Shearer celebrates after scoring for England against the Netherlands at Euro 96. (Image credit: Getty Images)

One of the English media’s favoured sticks with which they beat Venables in 1995 was his use of the Christmas tree formation. 

Ostensibly a 4-3-2-1, its lack of line-hugging wingers and two centre-forwards was seen as negative, continental claptrap by the press pack and sections of the public. 

However, it hinted that Venables recognised what this England side could and couldn’t do. Primarily there was a real depth of talent in centre-midfield, with David Platt, plus Pauls Ince and Gascoigne excelling in various roles there. 

Gareth Southgate, one of a ‘new breed’ of ball-playing centre-backs, was comfortable stepping forward and Teddy Sheringham was equally dangerous dropping deep. Likewise, the wide players weren’t wingers in the traditional sense. 

Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp had started that May’s FA Cup final for Liverpool in central midfield, while Darren Anderton – easily the country’s best crosser pre-David Beckham era – would stray inside at Spurs. 

The 4-3-2-1 was never used at Euro 96, though it was the seed from which Venables’ tactical tree would flourish.

Netherlands masterclass

The dentist's chair celebration became an iconic image of English football in the 90s

The dentist's chair celebration became an iconic image of English football in the 90s (Image credit: PA Images)

One of England’s greatest victories came against early tournament favourites, models of professionalism, and the bulk of that year’s Champions League finalists, the Netherlands

And it arrived through Venables applying incredibly innovative directions to an incredibly simple structure. A compact and disciplined 4-4-2 devised to restrict the space the opposition could play in, but with several key players handed the licence to roam out of that shape and pull defenders around. 

Given it was against the Dutch, it’s no exaggeration to call it a living definition of taking someone on at their own game… and winning. Southgate would carry the ball out from the back, linking up with Ince and Gascoigne to outnumber Clarence Seedorf and Ronald de Boer in the middle. 

Out wide, McManaman moved infield to support Alan Shearer and Sheringham, ensuring Holland’s back three of Danny Blind, Michael Reiziger and Winston Bogarde couldn’t cover the flanks. 

And with those areas freed up, Gazza would drift to the left alongside Anderton, while Gary Neville exploited the room left by McManaman to provide a crossing threat on the overlap. 

Case in point, for the revered Gascoigne-Sheringham-Shearer goal (above), the move begins with McManaman coming to the left, before Gazza saunters into the space on that channel vacated by Anderton dropping back. 

A three-man overload shifts the Netherlands’ defence all the way across, allowing Shearer to blast home almost unmarked on the right.

So close yet so far

Gareth Southgate, England, Euro 96

Gareth Southgate seconds after missing his semi-final penalty miss vs Germany (Image credit: PA)

The benefit of being so positionally adept was that Venables had the option of altering the formation without altering the personnel. Thus against Germany, Neville’s ban saw him revert to the 3-5-2 used against Scotland in the group stage.

Platt replaced the young right-back to form a midfield three. Again, England were daring off the ball and created the majority of their chances through positional interchanges and the gaps that opened up. 

The first goal, a near-post flick-on from a corner, comes after Tony Adams had charged out of defence to regain possession. His ball forward (via Gazza), though, doesn’t find either of the forwards, but McManaman, who has roamed into the middle to take up the space left by Shearer roving to the right. 

If you can bring yourself to watch it back, England’s two extra-time near-misses arrive in similar fashion. Firstly, Sheringham draws Matthias Sammer and Thomas Helmer out of defence by dropping deep, inviting Anderton in to hit a post. 

Soon after, Teddy repeats the trick after Gascoigne pounces on a loose ball down the left. Spotting Shearer on the right, Sheringham floats a pass to him, as Gazza drives into space that’s appeared on the left. 

Shearer crosses and, to quote Kevin Keegan, if Gazza’s boots had been half a size bigger, England would have won. It would take until 2018, and one of Venables’ favoured players Southgate, before the Three Lions innovated at a major tournament again

More England stories

‘What the f*** have you stopped for!?’ Alan Shearer on one of the biggest sliding door moments in the history of English football

Euro 2024: 'Phil Foden may need to adapt as Jude Bellingham has to remain as a No.10', according to Euros legend

Euro 96, the complete history

TOPICS
Adam Clery

Adam published his first article for FourFourTwo in 2015, but didn’t publish his second until seven years later in 2022. A figure that would put him near the top end of any ranking for Longest Time Between Appearances For One Club. In the time between he plied his trade as both a writer and presenter on YouTube, earning the dubious distinction of being “The James Milner of WhatCulture”. Be that because he was capable of playing any role, or just because it felt like he’d been around forever, depends on who you ask. And yes, that is him from the Football Manager documentary and, no, he doesn’t want to talk about it.

With contributions from
Read more
STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 12: England manager Bobby Robson looks on before the 1988 European Championships match between England and Republic of Ireland at Neckarstadion on June 12, 1988 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
Ranked! EVERY England manager ranked from worst to best
England
Quiz! Can you get 100% in our England 'Golden Generation' quiz?
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 18, 2025 in Burton-upon-Trent, England Journalist and Media pundit, Henry Winter looks on from the press box during the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James' Park on June 03, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
'Where’s the "one of our own" that’s remotely good enough? The FA needed to be pragmatic, not patriotic.' Writing exclusively for FourFourTwo Henry Winter reminds England fans why they have good reason to be smiling
13 October 1993 Rotterdam, World Cup Qualifying match, Netherlands v England, Ronald Koeman scores a goal from a free kick. (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
‘Yes, Ronald Koeman should have been sent off against England in 1993, but David Platt also could have stayed on his feet – that’s never mentioned’ Former Three Lions star on playing in one of the country’s most infamous matches
Paul Gascoigne and England team-mates celebrate in the "Dentist's Chair" after the midfielder's goal against Scotland at Euro 96.
'I won that dentist’s chair challenge in Hong Kong before Euro 96 - that might be my biggest claim to fame’: England international opens up on infamous night out in Asia
Thomas Tuchel
‘Southgate was criticised for his in-game management, but that’s Tuchel’s area of expertise – he can read the flow of a game and turn the tide in his favour’: Ex-England international outlines key Thomas Tuchel strength
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report