Gary Neville has admitted England's celebrations at qualifying for major tournaments in the past were "embarrassing".
Neville, a coach to the Three Lions' new manager Roy Hodgson, was on the bench against Italy in 1997 and started versus Greece in 2002 when England sealed qualification for the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. But he admits to feeling sheepish when recalling the games.
"After qualifying in Italy in 97-98 and then against Greece in 2001-02, it was almost - when you look back now - a little bit embarrassing," Neville confessed.
"All we'd done is qualify. But it was like we'd reached the World Cup final."
Neville celebrates with David Beckham after the 2-2 draw with Greece
Ahead of Euro 2012, expectation is low amongst England supporters following Hodgson's uninspiring squad selection, the two-match suspension of Wayne Rooney and injuries to experienced personnel such as Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard.
However Neville, 37, claimed staying grounded could be a valuable trait after the giddiness ahead of past major tournaments.
"It's now about managing expectations slightly differently and probably being a little bit more realistic about what we are and where we've been.
"It's about showing that humility to say 'Spain are there, France did win World Cups, Brazil are there'. We are trying to get to them rather than thinking we are there already just by qualifying for a tournament."
Neville played at two World Cups (France 98 and Germany 2006) as well as three European Championships (Euros 96, 2000 and 2004) under four different England managers.
The choice of Baden-Baden as a base in 2006 became infamous for the antics of the players' wives and girlfriends and was strongly criticised after the tournament. While four years later England players expressed their displeasure at the boredom they experienced in Rustenburg, South Africa, at the 2010 World Cup.
Neville insisted the Krakow city centre choice for the Poland and Ukraine Euros was tailored to maintain players' familiarity with club life.
"We're asking the players to do the same thing that they are used to doing in the days between a game," he explained.
"This time we are staying in a central location so they are not isolated in the countryside, which can be a little bit boring at times. I don't want the 'oh, diddums' to come out - but the reality is that players would not pen themselves into a countryside location between a Saturday and a Tuesday game for their clubs.
"We are saying 'do what you would normally do with your club'. You can't repeat a home environment - the kids won't be there, your wife or girlfriend won't be there - but players should try to do what they normally do."