England’s 1998 World Cup squad: 20 years on, where are they now?

Safe Hands called it a day in January 2004 following a short stint at Kevin Keegan’s Manchester City. He proceeded to take on Dancing On Ice - where his hands were not so safe - and later married his show partner Frankie Poultney. Seaman never pursued coaching seriously despite his interest and is now infrequently a radio pundit and TV personality.

One of the younger members of this squad, Sol controversially crossed the North London divide three years after France 98 and became an Arsenal legend in doing so. Retired in 2011 and has since become known for his politics - running unsuccessfully for the Conservative nomination for Mayor of London in 2016 - and slightly weird social media videos.

The former Blackburn, Chelsea and Southampton left-back was a regular pundit on Match of the Day 2 and BBC Radio 5 Live after hanging up his boots, before heading Stateside to become a match analyst for NBC Sports - a role he continues in today.

The Guv’nor went down the managerial route, starting at Macclesfield Town in 2006 before taking the helm at MK Dons, Blackburn, Notts County and most recently Blackpool. Currently out of work and probably focusing on being footballer son Tom’s number one fan.

This was Mr Arsenal’s first and only World Cup, given he retired in 2002. Since then he’s been a coaching nomad, including managerial stints at Wycombe, Portsmouth, Gabala and most recently Granada, where he lost all seven games in charge and became infamous for his energetic moves on the training pitch. Recently joined social media and is currently loving a good career throwback picture.

Southgate wasted no time getting into coaching, spending three years at the helm of Middlesbrough immediately after retiring in 2006 before later joining the England U21 team in 2013. He is is of course now England manager and will be looking to lead his country to glory 20 years on from France 98’s disappointment.

We’ll hazard a guess Beckham is probably a bit happier with life these days, 20 years after his controversial red card for kicking out at Diego Simeone. Hardly one for laying low, among his promotional and fashion work, he’s dedicating much of his time to launching his own MLS team in Miami, which is expected to begin playing in 2020.

His saved penalty in the shootout against Argentina ended the Three Lions’ tournament, so he probably won’t be celebrating this anniversary too wildly. Since retiring in 2004, the defensive midfielder has kept a low profile, but did appear in the ex-pros vs celebrities game The Match in 2006.

England’s captain in France couldn’t save his beloved Newcastle United from relegation during a brief spell in charge in 2009. Of course, Shearer is now one of the most recognised pundits on TV, dominating the Match of the Day panel and popping up in random TV shows such as Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

Sheringham carried on his playing career until the ripe old age of 42, finally deciding to call it a day only 10 years ago. He’s since going into coaching, becoming attacking coach at West Ham in 2014 and becoming manager of Stevenage in 2015 - brilliantly registering himself as a player at the same time, aged 49. Was sacked as manager of Indian Super League outfit ATK as recently as January.

McManaman was the first English player to win the Champions League with a non-English club after lifting the trophy during his Real Madrid days in 2000. Now a regular pundit and co-commentator with BT Sport, though we don’t know many viewers who are particularly pleased about that.

Many people weren’t initially convinced when Gary was chosen by Sky to be their star pundit, but he continues to be one of the most insightful analysers of the game today. He’s also a shrewd businessman, with interests including property, restaurants, hotels and Salford City FC. The less said about that stint in charge of Valencia in 2015/16 the better, however…

Another player who has kept a relatively low profile since ending his playing career in 2006, Martyn did some goalkeeping coaching at Bradford City the following year. Now an occasional pundit.

After seeing out his career at Bournemouth in 2009, Anderton became a pundit for Canadian television, starting with Euro 2012. Hasn’t done much else, other than (genuinely) becoming Honorary President of a Tottenham supporters club based in Virginia, USA.

Here’s one for you fact fans: Merson was the only member of this World Cup squad to not play in the top flight, being called up while he was with Middlesbrough. Spent two years in charge of Walsall but is now a Soccer Saturday regular with a canny inability to pronounce players’ names correctly.

The one club man finally quit Man Utd for good in 2013 after a reversing his initial retirement and has since become a regular on the BT Sport punditry team - surprising many with his very outspoken views, in stark contrast to his previously quiet reputation.

Lee made just one substitute appearance against Colombia at the tournament but continued his career until 2006. He’s also another that opted for overseas football punditry, sharing his views on Singapore and Indian television.

Hung up his boots in 2005 and did some part-time scouting and coaching for Arsenal but is also now a prolific pundit, regularly appearing on Match of the Day, BBC radio and international channels, as well as having his own newspaper column.

Ferdinand made his name at Queens Park Rangers and it’s clearly where his heart still lies, as he is now Director of Football at Loftus Road and even had a stint as caretaker manager in 2015.

Michael Owen’s actions at France 98 will forever be lodged into fans’ memories after he announced himself on the world stage with THAT goal against Argentina. Injuries hampered his career however and he decided to call it a day in 2013 aged just 33. Now a pundit and (initially very unpopular) co-commentator, he also rode one of his beloved horses at Ascot in 2017.

“Merking” people on TV while still playing was clearly a career precursor for Ferdinand who has gone on to become a much-loved personality and pundit. He’s also due to enter the boxing ring as part of a promotional deal with a betting company.

After hanging up his gloves at Leicester City in 2003, Flowers went into coaching, with spells at Stafford Rangers, Northampton Town and most recently at Kidderminster Harriers.