Share
15th July 2024
08:19am BST
Gary Lineker believes that Gareth Southgate will call time on his England career after losing the final of Euro 2024.
England were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the final in Berlin as the Three Lions fell at the same hurdle as they did three years earlier.
Both teams looked cagey throughout the first half however it appeared that Spain had been dealt a major blow after Rodri was forced off with an injury.
Moments after the restart however Spain proved that the loss of their key man wouldn’t deter them as Nico Williams buried home into the bottom corner following an exquisite pass from Lamine Yamal.
England huffed and puffed and eventually managed to find an equaliser courtesy of substitute Cole Palmer, who expertly slotted home a long-range strike to bring the Three Lions level.
Ultimately though it would be La Roja who would go on to be crowned champions as Mikel Oyarzabal scored late on with four minutes remaining to break English hearts.
Before the tournament, it appeared that Southgate had hinted that Euro 2024 may be his final one in charge of the national team.
First taking the reigns eight years ago, Southgate has led the Three Lions to two finals, a World Cup quarter-final and a semi-final, making him the most successful manager behind Sir Alf Ramsey.
But many, including Lineker, now think that the 53-year-old will step down to allow someone else to try and finally bring football home.
He said on the BBC: "I suspect Gareth Southgate may have had enough.
"It is a tough, gruelling job."
As for Southgate himself, the England boss has insisted that now is not the time to discuss his position and it will take time for him to decide what the next step is going forward.
He told Radio Five Live: "Now is not the time for me to discuss that. I understand the question of course, but I need to speak to the right people - we will go from there.
"It has been an amazing experience to lead a team to a final, but at the moment to come up short is very painful."
Alan Shearer meanwhile thinks that this is the end of the road and that Southgate will move on from his role.
Speaking on the BBC, he said: "I suspect it will be Southgate’s last game. From where he took over and where they are now. There will be great disappointment at home. Yes, we could have played more attacking football but they have got to the final. But when you are here, you have got to get over the line.
"The reality is he got us to a final three years ago and got us to a final here, and hasn’t won. That will hurt him and maybe he will think it’s time for someone else."
Read next:
Explore more on these topics:
