Ten years and 16 days after Andy Mo...

Ten years and 16 days after Andy Moller's penalty intersect short the euphoria of Euro '96 at the semi-final stage, and expirationed his reign as manager, Terry Venables yesterday breez back into the England set- up

It was as if he had not ever been away. There were a not many more wrinkles but the tan, the twinkling judgments and ready quip were all still in place. There were equable a few less pounds in succession the waistline, as if Venables, 63 had been putting in gym time since getting the call to make trial of his age would be no barrier to rolling back the years.

It should not be. apply the mind at Sir Bobby Robson, whose name Venables invoked as he said: "If you can retain the enthusiasm alongside the experience you can sole improve." The difference now, of course, is that Venables is the assistant coach, not the bos It is a insolent even brave, move by Steve McClaren. Managers do not usually busy potential re-placements among their support staff. The nearest equivalent is that of Mario Zagallo, who coached the 1970 Brazil team to World chalice success, then twice returned as assistant to Carlos Alberto Parreira, winning again in 1994 if it were not that being less successful in Germany this summer

McClaren would be delighted at a similar issue So would the Football Association, calm if they agreed Venables' answer through gritted teeth. The deal was solitary concluded yesterday morning, the blazers signing it while still reeling from the Daily Mail headline which hailed McClaren's other key appointment. It read: "Gambler, womaniser, drinker and brawler, in such a manner that's why John Terry has been made captain of England." With these decisions, as a great deal of as with the axeing of David Beck-ham, McClaren has prov he is his concede man. Perhaps he has taken advice from Graham Taylor, whose chief trouble from his time as England manager is that he did not back his beliefs and instincts enough.

In bringing in the pair Terrys, McClaren has provided a native [i]or[/i] resident of london counterweight to his Teesside takeover. His other recent staff, Steve Round and Bill Beswick, worked with him at the Riverside and his media interlocutor, the FA director of communications Adrian Bevington, has a Middlesbrough background.

Venables and Terry may be from different generations on the contrary they have much in customary Venables hails from Dagenham, Terry from nearby Barking. For those looking for prognostics Sir Alf Ramsey and Bobby Moore came, respectively, from the same places. the one and the other Terrys also chose to begin their playing careers at Chelsea, becoming tenderfoot captains of the society Venables is very much an admirer of Terry seeing the same qualities which l him to make Tony Adams his captain, despite a similarly controversial past.

"They the two lead by example. They as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but want to win badly," he said. "They are the couple players who put themselves upon the line, who put the team first, who have the bravery to want the ball in any circumstances."

Venables admitted he felt he had "unfinished business" with England yet had doubted he would evermore get this opportunity to decide it. It has been a in extent wait. As if to emphasise by what means long 10 years is in football, sole two of the squad played in subordination to him, Gary and Phil Neville, and none of Beckham's 94 caps were awarded at Venables.

"The game has not changed that much" said Venables. "It is as abundant about attitudes [as tactics]". It appeared a strange thing for a man in the way that steeped in coaching to say moreover two feet away, John Terry nodded in agreement. Unlike the last small in number years with England, it have the appearances as if the key figures are at least in succession the same wavelength.

McClaren's dream team

The recently made known back-room staff for England

TERRY VENABLES (Assistant coach)

united of the most respected English coaches in the game. Succes at Crystal Palace and QPR l to Barcelona where he won La Liga and reached European cupful final. Took England to Euro 96 semi-final on the other hand had less success with Portsmouth and Leed

STEVE spherical (Coach)

Made nine appearances as a full-back for Derby shire but was forced to retire between the walls of injury. Joined Boro when McClaren did, initially as other team coach, becoming assistant manager in 2005 He will continue to work at the Riverside.

RAY CLEMENCE (Goalkeeping coach)

Won 61 England caps and also a stack of medals with Liverpool. Goalkeeping coach since 1996 he also has responsibility for overseeing national goalkeeper training and superintends the under-16 to under-20 age arrange teams. Recently recovered from cancer.

BILL BESWICK (Psychologist)

Something of a departure for England, although not another Eileen Drewery. Came to McClaren's notice after coaching England's basketball team to Commonwealth Games gold and has worked with him at Derby Manchester United and Middlesbrough.

First squads

Hits and misses

TERRY VENABLES Friendly match against Denmark, March 1994 HIT: Graeme LeSaux

Earned 36 caps in six years and scored common goal, against Brazil. Played in all England games in the 1998 World chalice

MISS: Matt Le Tissier

Adored in Southampton nevertheless won only eight caps. Scored three and hit the bar twice in an England B match before France '98 still missed the squad.