LONDON May 4 (Reuter) Even u coach Terry Venables leads England to glory In the European Cham-

pionship final on June 30. he will be out of a job on July 1

Venables announced his resignation as Englands national coach tn January saying that legal cases he is fighting later in the year would occupy too much of his time for him to continue to do justice to the job

And on Thursday the English Football Association ended four month* of intense speculation by announcing Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle as Venables' successor

So the outgoing chief has Just one chance to bring his count™ the soccer glory It has craved for 30 years.

If England win the Champ! onship Venables will go out as a hero And in the eyes of millions of English fans that Is the only thing that will bring his brief 2 1 and a half years tenure to a successful conclusion.

As host nation. Venables has had the dubious luxury of being able to experiment with his side during a series of friendlies since 1994.

So far In his 16 matches In charge. England have won seven limes drawn eight and lost just once — Io world champions Brazil — but the real test is about to come, starting with the group matches against Switzerlana. Scotland and the Netherlands.

England, who codified the laws of the game and gave soccer to Hie world In the mid 19th century, have just one tangible success to show for all their Influence on the world game — victory In the 1966 World Cup which they also hosted

In theory at least. Venables appears to nave the players ca pablr of celebrating the 30th anniversary of that sole honour by becoming European champions

He has talented strikers, creative and resolute midfield era tough defenders and sound goalkeepers. but whether he can mix ail of those appetising ingredients tnlo a prize-winning recipe remains to be seen

in attack. England have class strikers such as Blackburn's Alan Shearer and Newcastle s Les Ferdinand

In midfield. Venables can call on Paul Ince finding the sort of form that persuaded InternazionaJe to buy him from Manchester United for six million pounds (9 million dollars) a year ago. and his talisman. Paul Gascoigne of Glasgow Rangers, the newly-appointed player of the year in Scotland

Alongside them Is Arsenal s David Platt who has cost combined transfer fees of 22 million pounds (33 million dollars) during his career — the most spent on one player in soccer history.

In defence, if they are fit. there "Is the towering presence of Tony Adams of Arsenal and Gary Palllster of Manchester United In goal. there is David Seaman of Arsenal or Tim Flowers of Blackburn.

Add to that mix forward Teddy Sheringham. the tenacious Stuart ftarce. the inventive Peter Beardsley. Coltish Sieve McMananam and possibly the natural-born goalscorer Robbie Fowler and Venables would appear to have at hts disposal men who have the experience, will power and skill to take on and beat anyone.

- But somehow the mix does not quite gel yet. Venables, who has experimented with Shearer playing up front as a lone striker in his 'Christmas tree formation, is currently experimenting with playing three at the back and five in midfield.

When he tried that formation against Croatia last month. England looked solid as a team, created a number of chances, but ultimately were held 0-0.

Simply by being hosts, and also because they seem more organised than they were under previous boss Graham Taylor. England cannot be discounted as possible title contenders. They do not often lose at home, and will have fervent crowds behind them.

Most of Venables squad are too young to remember — or weren't even born — when Queen Elizabeth presented Bobby Moore with the old Jules Rimet trophy after England beat West Germany In the 1966 World Cup final —but they are old enough to know their history.

Since that day England have reached the semifinals of Just two major tournaments — the European Championship In 1968 and the World Cup In 1990

And apart from reaching the last four of the World Cup in 1990. their recent record in international tournaments is poor In 1986. they were eliminated In the quarterfinals of the World Cup. and failed to make the finals In 1994

In 1980. they were eliminated after the first round of ihe European Championship finals in Italy, and failed to qualify for the finals in France in 1984 In West Germany In 1988 they lost all three group matches and in 1992 in Sweden drew two and lost one of their group matches to make another early exit.

It la now up to the players to help Venables and some gloss to those sad statistics and to create for themselves a special place In English soccer folklore like the one currently reserved for the heroes of 1966

As the official slogan for Euro ’96 proclaims: Soccer come* hdme.'

For Enrflsh fans nothing less than the Henri Delauney trophy staying behind after the tournament is over will make it a worthwhile exercise.