'Not for now' - England manager Gareth Southgate in no rush to decide future after Euro 2024 defeat to Spain
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ByEurosport
Published 14/07/2024 at 22:04 GMT
The pressure was mounting on Gareth Southgate after a poor group stage at Euro 2024 in Germany, but he rescued his reputation by taking England to the final of the tournament, where his team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain. After the loss, he explained that he would not rush into a decision over his future, with many expecting him to step down from the role.
Gareth Southgate, looks dejected as he walks past the UEFA Euro 2024 Henri Delaunay Trophy after the team's defeat in the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany
Image credit: Getty Images
England manager Gareth Southgate said that a decision over his future is “not for now” after a 2-1 Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain on Sunday night.
The Three Lions fell behind to a Nico Williams goal in Berlin before Cole Palmer’s equaliser, only to see Mikel Oyarzabal strike late for the winner.
That left England staring a second Euro final defeat in the face, three years on from defeat to Italy, and they were unable to find another goal.
While Southgate’s team had grown into the tournament in the knockout stages, an underwhelming group stage and some conservative tactics throughout had led to speculation that he would step down at the end of the tournament.
Speaking on ITV, he would not be drawn on his future, saying: "I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I need to talk to the right people. It’s not for now."
Asked by the BBC about the manner of defeat, Southgate thought his team had not been able to resist Spain’s technical approach and effective pressing strategy.
He said: “I think we’ve competed until the very end of the final, and I think today we didn't keep possession of the ball quite well enough, especially when we defended really well, they press you really well.
“You’ve got out of that pressure, and we weren’t able to do that and that meant they had more control of the game, and that can wear you down a bit. That said, we were still right in there, when we got the equaliser, the game was still wide open.
“I need to see both goals back again. A big chance at the end to equalise, as always in games like this, fine margins. I think they were the best team in the tournament, and over the piece they deserved to win.”
Southgate on Kane: 'tough period for him'
Southgate was also asked about captain Harry Kane’s struggles at the tournament, and his manager acknowledged that substitute Ollie Watkins offered more energy.
He explained: “I think physically it’s been a tough period for him [Kane]. He came in short of games and not got up to the level we’d have all hoped.
“The games have been hugely demanding, and we felt Ollie’s freshness would allow us to press a bit better, which we needed to do, would offer us a threat in behind.
“I felt the two substitutes that came on did what I wanted them to do.”
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