"If they played awfully, you say they played awfully" - Lineker hits back at claims suggesting he was the reason for Southgate's England exit
Former England player Gary Lineker has hit back at claims suggesting he was the reason behind head coach Gareth Southgate's decision to leave. After England finished runners-up at a second straight Euros, Southgate decided to resign from the post.
He had spent eight years at the Three Lions dugout, but the period saw a lot of criticism for the team's drab style of play. One of Southgate's critics was Lineker, who questioned England's stumbling approach into the knockouts and eventually to the final.
After Spain beat England 2-1 in the final of Euro 2024, Southgate decided to step back. That has led to arguments across different quarters that critics like Lineker led to Southgate's eventual exit. However, the BBC pundit refuted that, explaining on The Rest is Football podcast (via Mirror)
"We (pundits) were critical at times, because you can’t say when a team is not playing very well, that they played well. If they played awfully, you say they played awfully, and they did in the early part of the tournament.
"There’s no question about that. But then to try and make it that that’s the reason. That criticism is the reason he’s gone. It’s not. It’s not that at all. We speak to the players, and they understand where it’s coming from.”
He added:
"I think he's been the right person to bring the nation together in terms of the football team. And, now, maybe it's time for someone else with a more modern, attacking style of football. Because I think the game's gone away from being successful if you're really defensive."
England's men team haven't won a major trophy since 1966. Their next chance to end their long drought will be at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA.
England's struggles at Euro 2024
The criticism towards Gareth Southgate wasn't entirely unwarranted, as England struggled to play impressive attacking football. Although they had many superstars, including UEFA Champions League winner Jude Bellingham, it didn't improve their quality of play.
Against supposedly lesser opposition in the group stage, they managed a mere two goals in three games. A goalless draw with Slovenia and a 1-1 stalemate with Denmark saw them win their group with five points, having beaten Serbia 1-0.
They needed a moment of magic from Jude Bellingham to help them past the Round of 16 against Slovakia to force extra time, where they won 2-1. They had to get through Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals, and in the semis, a 2-1 win over the Netherlands got them through to the final.
However, against Spain, the Three Lions were second best. Even though substitute Cole Palmer equalised with 17 minutes to go, La Roja secured a late winner through Mikel Oyarzabal to extend England's wait for a major trophy.