Euro 2024: Gareth Southgate sets unwanted record as England lose 2nd consecutive Euro final
England lost 2-1 against Spain in the final of the Euro 2024 on July 14. They became the first side in European championship history to get defeated in consecutive finals.
Manager Gareth Southgate, also, created an unwanted record for himself.
He was also in charge of the side during their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy on home turf. He's now become the first manager to oversee two Euro final losses following their heartbreak tonight.
It's a record that doesn't reflect his impact on the side, as England have reached at least the quarter-finals of every major tournament under him. However, his inability to get them over the line meant Southgate remains trophyless in his tenure as the England manager.
West Germany's Helmut Schon is another manager to reach consecutive Euro finals. He won it in 1972 when his side beat Soviet Union 3-0. However, he lost four years later as Czechoslovakia beat them 5-3 on penalties in the showpiece clash.
Berti Vogts also witnessed similar fortunes with Germany, when he guided them to consecutive finals in 1992 and 1996. While Die Mannschaft lost the first to Denmark, they overcame the Czech Republic in the next.
Spain, the only side to ever win the championship in consecutive editions, had two different managers during their 2008 and 2012 campaigns. Luis Aragones was in-charge the first time, with Vicente del Bosque helping them retain their crown four years later.
Questions raised over Gareth Southgate's future again
England manager Gareth Southgate boasts a much better record with the side than many of his recent predecessors.But that hasn't stopped anyone from questioning his future time and again.
Following their loss in the Euro 2024 final, the rumor mill is rife once again with reports on Southgate's future. Many frustrated England fans are asking him to step down.
Southgate's contract with the national team ends in December, but he faces a spell of introspection amid all the dismay and disappointment. If he were to leave now, the 53-year-old would still have close to 60% win record with England. He's also guided them to two major finals.