Football

Gareth Southgate's tenure as England manager has been a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by both triumphs and heartbreaks. After transforming the Three Lions' fortunes at major tournaments, Southgate once again fell short in the final of Euro 2024, extending England's 58-year wait for international glory.Prior to Southgate's appointment in 2016, England had a dismal record in major tournaments, reaching only three semi-finals and one final in their history. Under Southgate's leadership, however, they have reached three semi-finals and two finals in the last four tournaments.Despite their impressive run, England's familiar failings resurfaced in the Euro 2024 final against Spain. Spain's metronomic midfield dominated possession, while their wing wizards, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, tore through England's defense.Southgate's decision to rely heavily on the same core of players throughout the tournament, despite having a deep squad, also came under scrutiny. Eight England players started all seven games, and Southgate only turned to his bench when trailing against Slovakia, Switzerland, and Spain.The defeat has raised questions about Southgate's future as England manager. His contract expires at the end of the year, and he has admitted that the criticism he faced earlier in the tournament took its toll. However, he is also aware of the potential of this generation of English players.Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice are all still in their prime and will be key figures for England in the years to come. Southgate believes that England has "some fabulous young players" who will continue to challenge for major honors.Despite his record of reaching the latter stages of tournaments, doubts remain whether Southgate is the best man to lead this talented group of players. England's lack of control and physical issues in the final against Spain have highlighted areas where they need to improve.As England head home, the wait for international glory continues. Southgate will take time to ponder his future, but the pressure will be on him to deliver a major trophy in the next two years at the 2026 World Cup.

England's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain has left captain Harry Kane devastated, with the Three Lions' second consecutive loss in the tournament's showpiece game leaving a deep wound.Kane, who was substituted off after 60 minutes, expressed his anguish after Spain's late winner: "It's tough to take. We did well to get back into the game but struggled to build on that."England's tournament heartbreak follows their penalty shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final and their quarter-final elimination by France in the 2022 World Cup, where Kane missed a crucial penalty.Despite a stellar individual career, Kane remains without a team trophy. Prior to the final, he had stated his willingness to "swap everything in my career" for Euros glory."It's an opportunity missed," Kane lamented. "These finals aren't easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven't done it again.""It's extremely painful and it'll hurt for a long time."Kane also addressed the future of England manager Gareth Southgate, who has been in charge since late 2016: "We wanted to win it for him."Southgate's future is now uncertain, with the manager expected to take time to consider his options.

Gareth Southgate's pragmatic approach has transformed England's fortunes, leading them to successive European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final. Despite criticism for their cautious style, England's resilience and determination have proven effective.Southgate took over a team in disarray after their humiliating Euro 2016 exit to Iceland. He has instilled a sense of belief and unity, creating a team that is greater than the sum of its parts.England's success is not based on flair or panache. They have relied on a solid defense, a strong midfield, and a clinical attack. Their ability to grind out results and win matches in the dying minutes has been crucial.Southgate's attention to detail extends to penalty shootouts. He has implemented a rigorous training program that has helped England overcome their historical struggles in this area.Despite his success, Southgate has faced criticism for his perceived conservatism. However, he has defended his approach, arguing that it is necessary to maintain continuity and confidence within the team.Southgate's pragmatic style may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but it has been highly effective. He has transformed England into a team that is capable of competing with the best in the world.

England's remarkable journey to the Euro 2024 final is a testament to a decade-long player development program that has transformed the team from perennial underachievers to serial contenders. The Three Lions are now on the cusp of ending a 58-year wait for a major trophy at the senior men's international level.The foundation for England's success was laid in 2014, when Gareth Southgate and Dan Ashworth unveiled the "England DNA" plan. This blueprint aimed to blend the passion and fighting spirit of English football with improved technique and a stronger mentality.The results have been evident at every level. Many of Southgate's current squad have experienced tournament success at youth level. Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Ezri Konsa, Phil Foden, Marc Guehi, and Conor Gallagher have all won major trophies with England's youth teams.The women's team has also enjoyed unprecedented success, winning the Euros in 2022 and reaching the World Cup final in 2023."We have long been characterized by our passion, fighting spirit, and effort," said Ashworth. "But we do not wish to be solely defined by them."England's blend of traditional grit and modern technical ability has carried them to the Euro 2024 final. Despite a shaky start to the tournament, they have shown resilience and individual brilliance to overcome Slovakia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands."It shows the more modern England way," said Southgate after the semi-final win over the Dutch.The ultimate test awaits against a dominant Spain side. England has suffered near misses under Southgate before, but the experience gained in previous tournaments has them better prepared than ever."We're more calm going into the knockout games," said Southgate. "We've managed a lot of those games now."England's decade-long journey has led them to the brink of history. A victory over Spain would not only end a long trophy drought but also cement their status as one of the world's leading football nations.

England manager Gareth Southgate believes his team is on the cusp of history as they prepare to face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday. The Three Lions are aiming to reach their first major tournament final on foreign soil and take a step closer to ending their 58-year wait for a major trophy.Southgate's men have endured a rollercoaster ride in Germany, narrowly avoiding early exits against Slovakia and Switzerland. However, they have shown resilience and determination, with individual brilliance from Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka proving decisive.England's captain, Harry Kane, is eager to make amends for his sluggish performances in the tournament. The Bayern Munich striker has scored two goals but has been criticized for his lack of mobility. Kane is determined to lead his team to glory and believes reaching back-to-back finals would be an "amazing achievement."The Netherlands, meanwhile, have found their rhythm after a shaky start. Ronald Koeman's side has won their last two matches, including a hard-fought victory over Turkey in the quarter-finals. Cody Gakpo has been in scintillating form, scoring three goals and leading the race for the Golden Boot.The Dutch face travel chaos ahead of the semi-final, with issues with the German train system disrupting their plans. However, Southgate believes it will not affect their performance.The selection of referee Felix Zwayer has raised eyebrows, given his previous involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Bellingham was fined for criticizing Zwayer during his time at Borussia Dortmund.England and the Netherlands have a rich history in football, and Wednesday's clash promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Three Lions will be looking to make history, while the Dutch will be aiming to reach their first major tournament final since 1988.

England's Euro 2024 hopes hang in the balance as they prepare to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Despite boasting a star-studded squad, England's performances have been underwhelming, prompting criticism from fans and pundits alike.Former England striker Michael Owen has been particularly vocal in his assessment of the team's style of play. "If England continue to play this way, we can't win it," Owen said. "Switzerland will probably beat us, let alone any of the bigger teams."England's cautious approach has been a major concern. Despite having attacking talents like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, the team has struggled to create clear-cut chances. In their group stage matches, England managed just two goals, and they were fortunate to escape with a win against Slovakia in the Round of 16 thanks to Bellingham's stunning bicycle kick.Gareth Southgate's record against top-ranked opposition has also been poor. In 24 games against teams in FIFA's Top 10, England have won only four times. This has led to questions about Southgate's tactical acumen and his ability to get the best out of his players.However, Owen believes that England can still turn things around. "The good thing is that England can get better, their performances can get better," he said. "We were fortunate to be on the really nice side of the draw."If England can overcome Switzerland, they will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals. With Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France on the other side of the draw, many believe that England have a favorable path to the final.But Owen warns that England must improve their performances if they want to lift the trophy. "All we can do is hope that the manager changes one or two things," he said. "We certainly need a change in performance if we are to win the tournament."

Gareth Southgate faces a dilemma as he attempts to unlock the potential of Phil Foden at international level. Despite his exceptional form for Manchester City, Foden has struggled to replicate his brilliance for England.In England's 1-0 victory over Serbia, Foden's performance was underwhelming. The 24-year-old, who was named Premier League Player of the Year, appeared uncomfortable on the left wing, a position he is not accustomed to playing.Southgate's decision to deploy Jude Bellingham as the number 10 and Bukayo Saka on the right flank has pushed Foden out wide. However, Foden's strengths lie in the central attacking role, where he can dictate the tempo and create chances.Former England defender Micah Richards believes Southgate is not utilizing Foden's talents effectively. "When you have an extreme talent like Phil Foden, his best work has been in the middle of the pitch," Richards said.Rio Ferdinand suggests that Bellingham's assertive nature may be limiting Foden's influence. "Jude Bellingham has come into this team and his body language has said to everyone 'give me the ball or I will go nuts'," Ferdinand said.Former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas urges Foden to take responsibility for his international struggles. "It's about if you want the ball enough to make the difference. Do you enjoy getting the ball under pressure?" Fabregas said.Southgate must find a solution to the Foden conundrum. Switching Bellingham to central midfield and giving Foden the number 10 role could be a viable option. Alternatively, Southgate could consider using Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon on the left wing, allowing Foden to play in his preferred position.Until Southgate finds a way to harness Foden's talent, England will continue to miss out on the full potential of one of their most gifted players.

England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday, thanks to a first-half header from Jude Bellingham.The Real Madrid star put Gareth Southgate's team ahead in the 13th minute at the Veltins Arena, stooping to meet Bukayo Saka's cross and guiding it past Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.The buildup to the game had been overshadowed by concerns about violence between rival supporters, and those fears were realized when police rushed to separate brawling fans in Gelsenkirchen earlier in the day. Social media footage showed men throwing chairs at each other outside a restaurant festooned with Serbian flags in the city.Once the game got underway, however, England fans were soon celebrating after Bellingham's early goal."It's a great start for me personally to get my confidence up and to help the lads get the win is the most important thing," Bellingham said.Harry Kane so nearly extended the lead in the second half when Rajkovic pushed his far post header onto the underside of the bar. Kane set a record for his country by making his 23rd appearance at a major tournament."It's a tough game. They are a tough team and have good players," the England captain said. "We stood up to it well and it is good to get the three points and (for us) to progress. It's good that we got the win today."Victory sent England to the top of Group C after Denmark drew 1-1 with Slovenia in an earlier game, with Christian Eriksen scoring three years after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field at the last Euros. England plays Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday.England was a beaten finalist at the last Euros, losing on penalties to Italy in the final three years ago. It is one of the favorites this time around. Serbia is playing in the Euros for the first time since 2000.

England's Euro 2024 squad has been announced, and it includes a surprise selection: 20-year-old midfielder Adam Wharton. Wharton has only made 16 Premier League appearances since joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn in February, but he impressed manager Gareth Southgate with his performances in the Eagles' strong end to the season.Wharton's inclusion in the squad is a testament to his talent and potential. He is a technically gifted player with a good range of passing and an eye for goal. He is also a hard worker and has a good attitude.Southgate has left out some experienced players to accommodate Wharton in his squad, including Jordan Henderson and James Maddison. This shows that Southgate has faith in Wharton's ability to perform at the highest level.Wharton is excited about the opportunity to represent England at Euro 2024. He said: "It's a surreal feeling, honestly. I wasn't expecting it. Obviously I have only just gone into the Premier League, it was more sort of a bonus if I did get in but I am absolutely delighted. I get to do what I love on the top stage -- you can't beat it."Wharton is likely to get some playing time at Euro 2024, as England are short on midfield options. He will be hoping to make the most of his opportunity and help England win their first-ever European Championship title.