ROY KEANE slammed England for “finding a way to lose” against France, using the analogy of having “your foot on somebody’s throat” and easing off.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions crashed out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stages in Qatar.
England lost 2-1 to France with Harry Kane missing a late penalty, squandering the chance to equalise from the spot for a second time in the game.
Manchester United legend and ex-Ireland international Keane criticised Southgate’s squad for failing to prevail in a tournament again.
He said on ITV: “What England are doing in a lot of these big games, is they’re finding a way to lose.”
England were beaten by Croatia in the World Cup 2018 semi-finals.
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And they lost on penalties to Italy in last summer’s European Championship final.
Keane blamed mindset and pressure on England’s past failures.
Asked how to win tournaments, he said: “That’s where the players have to take control.
“I suppose it might be a lack of experience in big tournaments and big games, I know a lot of the England players have won trophies at club level.
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“When we were at the game against France the other night, I describe when you’re in that position and you have your foot on somebody’s throat, you’ve got to press down. Don’t ease off.
“If you take the pressure off a good team like France, and when you’re in the quarter-finals they’re going to have quality, as soon as they eased off the got punished for it.”
Southgate is set to decide on his England future with the FA keen to keep him in charge.
Ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino are among the foreigners linked with the role.
But the FA would like to keep an English coach, with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard also in the frame.
Although Neville, who represented England at two World Cups, wants to see Southgate stay.
He said: “I’m absolutely convinced he should carry on.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
