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      England’s next boss should be an Englishman but there’s no better than Gareth Southgate – it’s time to go foreign

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      THE Gareth Southgate era is almost certainly over.And unless the FA are seriously bold in their search for his successor, then these last eight years will soon be viewed as a golden age for the England team, lost forever.Gareth Southgate’s future as England boss is under questionCredit: GettyMauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola would be ideal England managesCredit: RexJurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel are other alternativesCredit: EPAThere is a natural preference to appoint an English successor.And in an ideal world, the England manager should always be English. But this is not an ideal scenario.If, as expected, Southgate quits in the coming days, there would be no obvious English candidate.So the FA must be ambitious in sounding out the best man for the job, regardless of nationality.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBecause England need a manager who would gain instant respect with players, who would be tactically bold enough to take on Spain and a strong enough character to deal with Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid Galactico status, which threatens to cause future issues within the England squad. Yes, when the FA have gone foreign in the past, it hasn’t worked out well.Yet the problem with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello was that neither had any previous involvement in English football.They lacked knowledge and understanding of the football culture — indeed, Capello barely spoke the language.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNow there is a wealth of overseas managerial talent with significant Premier League experience, including Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel.Most read in Euro 2024Manchester City boss Guardiola and Real godfather Ancelotti are managing the best two club sides in the world and are unlikely to leave their posts to take on Nations League fixtures against Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece.Heartbroken England heroes land back in London to just one fan after devastating loss to Spain in Euro 2024 finalBut if you don’t ask, you never know.Whatever it was in Klopp’s life that made him leave Liverpool, the German clearly wants a lengthy break. But England’s next meaningful fixtures are not until March.As an adopted Scouser, Klopp might not fancy it and he would certainly be a divisive figure among the media. But he is an intriguing candidate. Again — don’t ask, don’t get.Poch is available and he has helped to nurture a substantial number of England’s players over the past decade — including Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw and Cole Palmer.The Argentinian would make an excellent England boss. Except that he is Argentinian. Which doesn’t bother us much but does the Argentinians.Anti-English feeling can still run deep in his native land. Take this job and he might never be able to go home.Tuchel, a Champions League winner, is available and keen but the German is a combustible character.This felt like our time… but keep Gareth’s culture and we can win it in 2026 instead, writes Jack WilshereIT will take a while for me and every England fan to get over this, writes Jack Wilshere.To come so close to winning that trophy, only to be beaten in a second Euros final in a row, is a huge disappointment.Especially when it really felt like this was our time.It seemed that everything was coming together for us to end the long wait for a major title.But Spain deserved it. They were the better team in the final and the best team of the tournament.We will all — supporters, players, coaches, the FA — have to move on and go again.Because English football is still in a good position.Gareth Southgate has taken us to two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final in four tournaments. We have never produced a run like that before.The challenge now is to maintain this level of competitiveness and make England even better.Southgate and his staff have done a fantastic job in changing the whole environment and narrative around the national team.Whether Gareth carries on or not, the wider culture he has put in place must be preserved.This tournament was the biggest test of that culture the team had to go through.They overcame the problems and went all the way, only to fall at the final hurdle.But there is every reason to believe we can challenge at the World Cup in 2026 and beyond.We’ve got a really good group of players, many of them young, who can go on playing and performing for England for years.Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — to name just five — have plenty more tournaments in them.This tournament will also be an inspiration for the next generations of players. Unfortunately there isn’t the trophy lift to take that to a completely different level.But England have delivered moments in Germany that will be replayed forever.The Bellingham overhead kick and Ollie Watkins’ semi-final winner will be recreated in playgrounds and cages up and down the country.What I would like to see now is England continuing to develop, to become a team that can consistently dominate opponents and can give a real identity to English football.We now have players who are comfortable on the ball and technically very good.The biggest disappointment of the tournament was that we didn’t see that as often as we would have liked. That leaves us with a ‘what if?’ feeling.England must not lose that old-school mentality of finding a way to win even when you’re not playing well — that never-say-die spirit which got us through this Euros more than once.But the next step is to allow other qualities to shine through, to give the players that our system is creating the platform to show  everything they can do.The job for me and for other coaches is to keep producing players that are comfortable on the ball and understand how to perform under pressure at a high level.English football is in a good place but we need to keep going. Then we will finally get over the line.Real all of SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere’s Euro 2024 columns…The FA, so used to a smooth, clubbable diplomat like Southgate, might baulk at the man who has just left Bayern Munich.So looking abroad might not work out but it’s an avenue which has to be explored.Because there isn’t much of a field among English, even British and Irish, bosses.Graham Potter is the bookies’ favourite but the ex-Chelsea manager, who hasn’t worked for 15 months, is Southgate Lite.Nice bloke, emotionally intelligent, tactically cautious but without the vast international back catalogue Southgate brought to the job — with 57 caps as a player and spells as Under-21s boss and as an FA backroom operator.Eddie Howe would have been Southgate’s likeliest successor had he parted ways with Newcastle this summer after a season of regression on Tyneside.But Geordie Arabia’s overlords have stayed loyal to Howe, who would be unlikely to walk out on such a wealthy and ambitious club, even though he would like a stab at the England job in the future.England ratings: Palmer the super sub but captain Kane struggles yet again in Spain heartbreakCOLE PALMER came off the bench to be England’s star man – but his heroics were unable to stop heartbreak against Spain, writes Tom Barclay.Mikel Oyarzabal struck a late dagger through the hearts of the Three Lions to seal a 2-1 Spanish victory.And that ensured that 58 years of hurt will go on.Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated each England player in the crushing defeat:Jordan Pickford: 8Carefully controlled a blast of a backpass from John Stones on his line in the first half. Could do little to stop Williams’ opener but made two terrific stops to deny Yamal, only for Oyarzabal to poke home at the death.Kyle Walker: 6Had his hands full with Williams but managed the Spanish livewire pretty well but could not get near his powerful opener. John Stones: 8A colossus again as he played every single minute of this Euros, despite lack of Manchester City game-time. Superb block on early Williams shot, was often in the right place at the right time and at one point dribbled all the way up the pitch.Marc Guehi: 6Solid alongside Stones and overall it has been a brilliant first tournament for the Crystal Palace star. But Oyarzabal nicked in front of him for the winner.Bukayo Saka: 7Most consistent attacker for England across the tournament and had a good battle with pantomime villain Marc Cucurella here. It was his cross that Bellingham laid off for Palmer to work his magic.Declan Rice: 7Went past his boss Gareth Southgate’s cap haul by winning his 58th here and he is still only 25. Was in the thick of it in the midfield battle throughout. Kobbie Mainoo: 5Just 19 and starting a major final for England in the middle of midfield. Fewer bursts forward though than in recent games as his side struggled for possession and was subbed for Palmer as Southgate searched for a leveller. Luke Shaw: 7Looked so sharp for a player making his first start since Luton away on February 10, winning his battle against Lamine Yamal in the first half. But Yamal got the better of him after the break to tee up Williams’ opener.Phil Foden: 6Out of possession it was his job to man-mark Manchester City colleague Rodri, until the Spanish maestro went off injured at half-time. Had a half-chance just before the break but could not beat Unai Simon.Jude Bellingham: 7Shunted wide left when England did not have the ball – which was a lot of the time. Riskily flew into a few tackles, but it was his clever lay-off that teed up Palmer.Harry Kane: 4His lack of involvement was summed up by England fans calling for Ollie Watkins in the 57th minute. They got their wish on the hour.SUBS: Ollie Watkins: 6Semi-final hero was introduced far earlier here to get some legs in behind, though he did not have too much impact this time.Cole Palmer: 9What an impact after emerging with just twenty minutes to go. Yet another of Southgate’s subs paid off handsomely as Palmer curled a peach of an equaliser with 17 minutes remaining, sending most of the Olympiastadion potty.Ivan Toney: 6Thrown on right at the end but could not make an impact.Gareth Southgate: 7The game was a chess match for the first half and Southgate was never going to go early with his bold moves.His subs were excellent to be fair, with Palmer brilliantly getting his team back into it.Critics will say England did not play attacking enough but Spain are one hell of a side – and Southgate’s men pushed them all the way.After that we are left with Frank Lampard, who fits the profile in terms of international experience and excellent media skills.The only slight drawback is he doesn’t seem to be a particularly good manager.Current England U21s boss Lee Carsley — who won the European Championships last summer — is also highly regarded within the FA.But the Brummie-born former Everton midfielder won 40 caps for Ireland and, at the age of 50, he has never been the full-time manager of a men’s team.Steve Cooper, a Welshman who guided England’s U17s to the 2017 World Cup and was a success at Nottingham Forest, would have been a serious contender had he not just taken over at Leicester.Brendan Rodgers is another who should be in with a shout.The Celtic boss is a Northern Irish Catholic, which matters more than it should with some people.Maybe Kane really is cursed as trophy drought goes on… he may never get a better chance with EnglandIT now seems as though he really is cursed. Along with the rest of us, writes Charlie Wyett.Tragically, unbelievably, Harry Kane’s agonising search for a trophy still continues and you know have to wonder whether he will ever actually manage it.Certainly for England, in any case.Kane has now suffered defeat in three major club finals and two finals of the European Championships.Last night, the Three Lions captain was so ineffective that he was replaced by Ollie Watkins just after the hour.Like much of this tournament, he really struggled to make the impact when England needed him, not that he had much service.He had one shot in the first half and that was Rodri, who subsequently injured himself and went off at the break.When Cole Palmer struck that brilliant equaliser, Kane was off on his feet from the bench, only for the national team to get another kick in the bo**ocks at the end.Kane was substituted in both the games against Switzerland and Holland which England went on to win but on this occasion, he could only witness a gut-wrenching twist just when it looked as though Gareth Southgate’s team had dug their way out of trouble.The Bayern Munich striker suffered the World Cup 2018 semi-final loss against Croatia, endured heartbreak against Italy in the Euro2020 final and then missed from the spot in the World Cup 2022 quarter-final against France.He really thought that this was his time, even though England did not play well in Germany.Kane will know that he will have more opportunities with England. But not many more.The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico seems a long way away and it will surely be under a new manager. Will England be better than they are now? Probably not.And we are all left to wonder how much better England would have been with a fit and firing Kane at his very best.Read the full verdict on the curse of Harry Kane…Or check out all of Charlie Wyett’s Euro 2024 stories…But he is a forward-thinking, media-friendly manager who would tick a lot of boxes with the FA. England may have reached a second successive Euros final in Germany but in performance terms they regressed from the Qatar 2022 World Cup.In the Middle East, Southgate’s side played boldly and played well in four matches out of five, including their narrow quarter-final defeat by defending champs France.That was a game England could easily have won. Sunday’s final against Spain had the same 2-1 scoreline but the gulf between the teams was vast.Across the tournament, England played well in three halves of football out of 14 and they were fortunate not to meet a world-class team before the final.Yet still, Southgate’s record of two finals, a semi-final and a quarter in four tournaments is historically excellent.When you look at potential candidates and the job spec and you consider the preference for an English boss to fit in with the FA’s coaching talent pathway, there is one man clearly best suited to leading the Three Lions into the next World Cup.And I’m sorry to disappoint you but that man is Gareth Southgate.MADE A MARCAFTER Harry Maguire was ruled out through injury, there were obvious concerns about Marc Guehi’s place in the England starting line-up at the Euros.It felt a big ask for a player with little international experience — and with no previous in European club football — who had missed three months through injury at the back end of the domestic season.But the Crystal Palace centre-back was mostly excellent as England reached a first final on foreign soil.Guehi looks like being an England regular for years to come.Marc Guehi looks like being an England regular for years to comeCredit: GettyANOTHER NOTEDURING the Euros, myself and three colleagues made a habit of listening to classic England tournament songs in the car on the way to matches.Given that three out of the four of us are serious about good music, this was done in an ironic way.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, I’m still infected by an earworm of England’s 1982 ditty This Time (We’ll Get It Right) as I sit at Berlin Airport departure gate. The squad can be seen warbling it on the right.So let’s be grateful that the Three Lions no longer head into the recording studios before tournaments. More

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      Should Gareth stay or go? Piers Morgan and Tony Parsons go head to head to argue for and against the England boss’ exit

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      AFTER England’s gut-wrenching 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, fans and pundits were quick to weigh-in on whether Gareth Southgate should stay or go.Legends like Rio Ferdinand slammed Southgate’s “conservative” approach while Gary Lineker took a brutal swipe after England once again fell short in a final.Gareth Southgate applauds fans after England’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the Euro finalCredit: GettyPressure mounted on the England boss throughout the tournamentCredit: GettyHowever, some supporters called for the Three Lions boss to be knighted after turning English football around and restoring a nation’s pride.Here, our heavyweight columnists Piers Morgan and Tony Parsons argue for and against Southgate’s future as England manager.GO! says Piers MorganGareth should go, says Piers, but with his head held high and our sincere gratitudeWhen Gareth Southgate was appointed England manager in 2016, I took the news well.”There is a legion of better managers than Gareth Southgate in the world,” I raged on Talksport. “The objective should be dragging the England team out of its abyss and dragging us kicking and screaming – under the tutelage of a brilliant, dynamic new manager – into the next phase of our existence. Instead, we’ve gone for the easy option, the cheap option by the strict criteria of: he’s got to be English and barely useless, and I don’t get it.’READ MORE ON SOUTHGATEThen I added for good bile-laden measure: “I only know Southgate as the guy who starred in pizza adverts when England were humiliated in the past.”Ouch. Suffice it to say, Gareth proved me spectacularly wrong.He created a team in his own cool, calm, collected image, developed a fantastic team spirit with his players, and has performed better in major international tournaments than any manager of our national side other than World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey.Most read in Euro 2024But when the final whistle blew in Berlin’s Olympiastadion stadium last night, it felt like the right moment to say goodbye to Gareth.I was there, with two of my sons, to watch England come up short, again, against Spain.England fans thank Southgate as England boss rumoured to step down following Euros defeatAnd none of us was enraged.Disappointed, yes.Angry, no.Truthfully, for all our bullish ‘It’s Coming Home!’ social media posts, we knew in our hearts it probably wasn’t.Why?Because for all his ‘safe-pair-of-hands’ positives, the problem with Gareth, ironically, is that he’s just too safe.This very talented squad of players should have been ordered to play with far more attacking flair through this tournament, as Spain did.Put someone like Jurgen Klopp or Alex Ferguson in charge of these guys, managers with a love of rampaging flamboyance and with in-built desire to entertain, and we’d have won it just as we’d have won the last Euros too.I think Gareth knows he’s reached the end.He’s been neither hero, nor halfwitPiers MorganHe’s seemed pricklier, and more defensive, about media criticism than I’ve ever seen him, and I suspect it’s just the aggro of the job finally getting to him.A year into his tenure, we met at a GQ awards night, and he was very friendly given how rude I’d been about him. “How’s the world’s most difficult, thankless job going?” I asked.”It’s… interesting!” he chuckled.”What’s been the biggest surprise?””When you’re an England player, you return to your club after a game and the focus moves to that. But when you’re England manager, the media attention, criticism and pressure never stops.” “You realise,” I said, “that unless you win a trophy, you’ll be mocked, abused, deemed a failure and unceremoniously sacked.””I do, yes Piers… thanks for reminding me, though!”We met again before the Euros 2020 final.”It’s a fine line between hero and halfwit in your job,” I observed, “do you really believe we can be European Champions?””Yes,” he replied, emphatically.But sadly, he hasn’t won it, despite getting to two finals.He’s been neither hero, nor halfwit.Just a good guy who gave us a team that’s done us proud on, and off, the pitch. Gareth should resign to let someone else try to reach the summit, but he should go with his head held high, and our sincere gratitude. STAY! says Tony ParsonsNo former England manager has Southgate’s kind of record, says Tony, not even Alf RamseySHOULD Gareth stay or should Southgate go?I can’t be the only England fan who is torn.One part of me – my heart – wants Southgate to walk away.Not because he has failed but because I am sick of seeing this decent, thoughtful and SUCCESSFUL England manager being abused by beer-chucking fans, armchair experts and yesterday’s men like Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.Gareth Southgate did not fail.The other part of me – my head – passionately wants Gareth to stay because he is without doubt the most successful England manager since Sir Alfred Ramsey.He steered England to their only two tournament finals since 1966 and he did it over the last three years.He took us to our first final ever on foreign soil.And not even Ramsey managed that.Yes, in those two finals we were beaten by Italy in 2021 and Spain on Sunday night.Southgate sticks with players – like Harry Kane – when a more cold-hearted manager – a Pep, a Fergie – would consign them to the knacker’s yardTony ParsonsUnlike our final against Italy, the best team won. And this is sport – remember?How can we bitch and whine when the best team wins?But goodness me, how people whine and bitch when it comes to Gareth Southgate.I think it is his demeanour that invites the toxic inventive.I believe it is because he speaks in a calm, measured tone – so totally unlike the raving maniac managers we see foaming at themouth every week in the Premier League.Southgate is a cautious man. He stick with players – like Harry Kane – when a more cold-hearted manager – a Pep, a Fergie – would consign them to the knacker’s yard.But I don’t want Southgate to stay because he is a good guy.I want him to take us to the 2026 World Cup for one reason only – his record.He gets England deep into tournaments.Apart from the two Euros finals, he took us to the semi-final of the World Cup in Russia, against Croatia, and a World Cup quarter-final in Qatar, when we went out after Harry missed a penalty against France.No former England manager has that kind of record.Not even Alf Ramsey.READ MORE SUN STORIESSouthgate’s England are frequently derided for their cautious, joyless football. And like every other armchair expert, I would love to see them off the leash and running riot.I see no evidence that there is a manager alive who can conceivably improve open Gareth Southgate’s record. More

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      Jude Bellingham’s model Wag Laura Celia Valk helps him get over England heartbreak as she shares bikini video

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM might not have won Euro 2024 with England – but he still has plenty to smile about. Bellingham scored two important goals in the tournament but could not prevent Spain from winning the final.Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend Laura Celia ValkCredit: instagram @lauraceliavThe Dutch model posed in a white bikiniCredit: instagram @lauraceliavLaura has kept her relationship with Bellingham secretCredit: instagram @lauraceliavSeveral Wags from the England camp spent weeks out in Germany supporting the Three Lions. But a noticeable absence was Bellingham’s new partner, Dutch model Laura Celia Valk with the couple keeping their relationship from the public. Laura did not attend any matches or make any reference of Bellingham on social media. Instead, she has been filling up her page with model snaps to her 500,000 Instagram followers. READ MORE ON WAGSIn a recent video shared to her story, she posed in a white bikini with a red flower in her hair. The Sun were the first to reveal her relationship with Bellingham.And she was believed to be staying in his Madrid mansion earlier in the year.Laura is not only a model for the likes of PrettyLittleThing but she is the owner of her own social media consultancy agency.Most read in Euro 2024She could be about to reunite with Bellingham in the Spanish capital as the player prepares to return home ahead of the new season. Bellingham was captured looking enraged as he was taken off in the final and later opened up on the devastating loss. Spain captain Alvaro Morata celebrates Euro 2024 win with kiss from stunning Wag who is perfectly dressed for occasion He said: “We sacrificed a lot throughout the last week, it’s so tough these days with the crazy schedules and then coming together for the end of the season, for one last tournament, it’s difficult on the body. “Mentally, and physically you are exhausted but for our country, we wanted to give everything and then to lose in that way is really cruel.”Again, we probably didn’t play our best game but there were definitely some good moments. “We felt like we got back into the game and then to kind of be sucker-punched with the late goal. “It’s heartbreaking. We all wanted nothing more than to make history and to make the people of England proud and we haven’t managed to do it. “We didn’t quite deliver. There are reasons for that. I’m sure as a team and going forward we will analyse it.”Inside Laura Celia Valk’s glamorous life as a model and influencer…Laura has over 500,000 Instagram followersCredit: InstagramShe also has a social media consultancy agencyCredit: InstagramThe model is believed to have been staying with Bellingham in MadridCredit: InstagramShe has kept her romance privateCredit: InstagramSo did not turn up to Euro 2024Credit: InstagramLaura is a big hit on social mediaCredit: Instagram More

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      Sun Sport’s Euro 2024 team of the tournament revealed with Yamal among 5 Spain stars – and two Englishmen make cut

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      HERE is SunSport’s Euro 2024 team of the tournament.It was heartbreak once again for England as they fell short in the final to Spain.Spain stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams make the teamCredit: RexRodri won player of the tournamentCredit: GettyMarc Guehi caught the eye for EnglandCredit: AFPWith their free-flowing football, Luis de la Fuente’s side were without a doubt the best team in Germany over the last month.And five of their players have made the cut – Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams – but Dani Olmo unluckily misses out due to his lack of minutes before the quarter-final.England’s performances were far from convincing on their road to Berlin, with star players like Phil Foden and Harry Kane struggling in attack despite stellar seasons with their club sides. Resilient defence displays instead caught the eye as Marc Guehi impressed while filling in for the injured Harry Maguire.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Crystal Palace star’s commanding performances were helped by Jordan Pickford behind him, who earns his spot in the team thanks to the penalty shootout heroics against Switzerland.France relied on their defence to make the semi-final, managing just one open play strike that wasn’t an own goal all tournament.Therefore, William Saliba and Jules Kounde have made the best XI.Completing the side are Germany and Holland’s main men Jamal Musiala and Cody Gakpo, who both scored three goals.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGeorgia making it out the group was one of the most iconic moments of the Euros, so goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and striker Georges Mikautadze make our alternate XI.The second team, which England and Spain players are banned from, also includes Turkey’s teenage ace Arda Guler.Gary Lineker destroys Gareth Southgate with brutal six-word comment after England’s Euro 2024 final defeatHis rocket against Georgia is a possible goal of the tournament winner – as was Xavi Simons’ effort in the semi-final against England.In midfield, N’Golo Kante rolled back the years, Granit Xhaka run the show for Switzerland and Marcel Sabitzer added quality and energy to an exciting Austria side.Defensively, Theo Hernandez continued to show why he is a world-class left-back and Pepe proved age is just a number as the 41-year-old put in several strong performances all while Cristiano Ronaldo was trying desperately to make this team.Germany’s Joshua Kimmich and Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji complete the team.This felt like our time… but keep Gareth’s culture and we can win it in 2026 instead, writes Jack WilshereIT will take a while for me and every England fan to get over this, writes Jack Wilshere.To come so close to winning that trophy, only to be beaten in a second Euros final in a row, is a huge disappointment.Especially when it really felt like this was our time.It seemed that everything was coming together for us to end the long wait for a major title.But Spain deserved it. They were the better team in the final and the best team of the tournament.We will all — supporters, players, coaches, the FA — have to move on and go again.Because English football is still in a good position.Gareth Southgate has taken us to two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final in four tournaments. We have never produced a run like that before.The challenge now is to maintain this level of competitiveness and make England even better.Southgate and his staff have done a fantastic job in changing the whole environment and narrative around the national team.Whether Gareth carries on or not, the wider culture he has put in place must be preserved.This tournament was the biggest test of that culture the team had to go through.They overcame the problems and went all the way, only to fall at the final hurdle.But there is every reason to believe we can challenge at the World Cup in 2026 and beyond.We’ve got a really good group of players, many of them young, who can go on playing and performing for England for years.Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — to name just five — have plenty more tournaments in them.This tournament will also be an inspiration for the next generations of players. Unfortunately there isn’t the trophy lift to take that to a completely different level.But England have delivered moments in Germany that will be replayed forever.The Bellingham overhead kick and Ollie Watkins’ semi-final winner will be recreated in playgrounds and cages up and down the country.What I would like to see now is England continuing to develop, to become a team that can consistently dominate opponents and can give a real identity to English football.We now have players who are comfortable on the ball and technically very good.The biggest disappointment of the tournament was that we didn’t see that as often as we would have liked. That leaves us with a ‘what if?’ feeling.England must not lose that old-school mentality of finding a way to win even when you’re not playing well — that never-say-die spirit which got us through this Euros more than once.But the next step is to allow other qualities to shine through, to give the players that our system is creating the platform to show  everything they can do.The job for me and for other coaches is to keep producing players that are comfortable on the ball and understand how to perform under pressure at a high level.English football is in a good place but we need to keep going. Then we will finally get over the line.Real all of SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere’s Euro 2024 columns… More

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      Harry Kane’s ‘worried’ chat with Gareth Southgate before Euro 2024 revealed after England ace shell shocked at decision

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      HARRY KANE had a “worried” chat with England manager Gareth Southgate before Euro 2024, reports say. Captain Kane and boss Southgate walked away with runners-up medals after a heartbreaking loss to Spain. Harry Kane with England manager Gareth SouthgateCredit: AFPSouthgate’s squad selection and tactics came under questioning throughout the tournament in Germany. But even before a ball was kicked – when he had to whittle his squad down to 26 – eyebrows were raised. The likes of Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish – regulars in major competitions under Southgate before – were not chosen. Maguire was still nursing a calf injury but hoped he would be fit for the knockout stages. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhereas Grealish endured a tough season with Manchester City despite helping them to a third consecutive Premier League title.According to The Athletic, the decision made by Southgate to omit the experienced pair confused senior members of the England squad. It is claimed Kane went for a walk with Southgate at Tottenham’s training ground before pre-Euros friendly games. There, Kane was “worried” after Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Maguire and Grealish were all left out. Most read in Euro 2024This felt like our time… but keep Gareth’s culture and we can win it in 2026 instead, writes Jack WilshereIT will take a while for me and every England fan to get over this, writes Jack Wilshere.To come so close to winning that trophy, only to be beaten in a second Euros final in a row, is a huge disappointment.Especially when it really felt like this was our time.It seemed that everything was coming together for us to end the long wait for a major title.But Spain deserved it. They were the better team in the final and the best team of the tournament.We will all — supporters, players, coaches, the FA — have to move on and go again.Because English football is still in a good position.Gareth Southgate has taken us to two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final in four tournaments. We have never produced a run like that before.The challenge now is to maintain this level of competitiveness and make England even better.Southgate and his staff have done a fantastic job in changing the whole environment and narrative around the national team.Whether Gareth carries on or not, the wider culture he has put in place must be preserved.This tournament was the biggest test of that culture the team had to go through.They overcame the problems and went all the way, only to fall at the final hurdle.But there is every reason to believe we can challenge at the World Cup in 2026 and beyond.We’ve got a really good group of players, many of them young, who can go on playing and performing for England for years.Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — to name just five — have plenty more tournaments in them.This tournament will also be an inspiration for the next generations of players. Unfortunately there isn’t the trophy lift to take that to a completely different level.But England have delivered moments in Germany that will be replayed forever.The Bellingham overhead kick and Ollie Watkins’ semi-final winner will be recreated in playgrounds and cages up and down the country.What I would like to see now is England continuing to develop, to become a team that can consistently dominate opponents and can give a real identity to English football.We now have players who are comfortable on the ball and technically very good.The biggest disappointment of the tournament was that we didn’t see that as often as we would have liked. That leaves us with a ‘what if?’ feeling.England must not lose that old-school mentality of finding a way to win even when you’re not playing well — that never-say-die spirit which got us through this Euros more than once.But the next step is to allow other qualities to shine through, to give the players that our system is creating the platform to show  everything they can do.The job for me and for other coaches is to keep producing players that are comfortable on the ball and understand how to perform under pressure at a high level.English football is in a good place but we need to keep going. Then we will finally get over the line.Real all of SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere’s Euro 2024 columns…CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Bayern Munich striker looked for answers from Southgate to better understand his reasoning for the decision. Grealish was still in the England camp when he was told the news and was also shocked by Southgate’s decision. Harry Kane reacts to Euro 2024 final loss to SpainTeam-mates were said to have visited him in his camp bedroom to console the City star. It is believed members of the Three Lions squad felt Grealish’s experienced in big games and moments would have been key. Grealish regularly spoke to the likes of Declan Rice throughout and joined Maguire in publicly wishing the team well. But it ended in similar heartbreak from three years ago when Grealish and Maguire were part of the losing final team against Italy on penalties. This time, the game was decided in 90 minutes as Spain ran out 2-1 winners to cancel out Cole Palmer’s stunning equaliser. Southgate’s current contract runs out in December and the FA – who had always wanted him to stay on – will now give him time to make a decision. READ MORE SUN STORIESGraham Potter – who has not managed since being sacked by Chelsea in 2022 – is favourite to succeed. Newcastle’s Eddie Howe is another candidate while SunSport revealed former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is keen on the job after leaving Bayern Munich. More

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      World Cup 2026 odds: Euro 2024 winners Spain and Brazil lead England in market with Lionel Messi’s Argentina not far off

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      EURO 2024 winners Spain are the early joint-favourites in the outright betting for the 2026 World Cup.The Spaniards – who saw off England in a dramatic Berlin final – are joined by Brazil at the head of the market for the big one in Canada, Mexico and USA.USA, Mexico & Canada will host the 2026 World Cup – with Spain and Brazil favouritesMetLife Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup finalWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*The Three Lions – in likely to be the first major competition in the post-Gareth Southgate era – are only fourth favourites having passed up another golden opportunity to end decades of hurt.It’s France who edge England out as third favourites with bookmakers William Hill.Spain’s price for World Cup glory has been slashed after a stunning Euros campaign in which they won every game, including three successive 2-1 victories from the quarters onward.The depth and youth of their squad stands them in great stead to be competitive in North America and it’s no surprise to see the bookies react.Brazil are always well-backed in this competition given their history and they join Spain on 6/1, half a point ahead of the French at 13/2.World Cup 2026 oddsWilliam Hill pricesSpain 6/1Brazil 6/1France 13/2England 7/1Argentina 9/1Germany 10/1Portugal 12/1Netherlands 16/1Italy 22/1Uruguay 25/1Belgium 33/1Scotland 400/1Wales 500/1Northern Ireland 1000/1William Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Both nations had hugely underwhelming tournaments in the Copa America and Euros, respectively this month, exiting at the quarter final and semi final stage after indifferent results throughout.But they’re both a shorter price than England at 7/1, who likely won’t have an easier run in a major tournament than this Euros, which again ended in failure.There’s a youthful look to the attacking options in the England squad and this will have been yet more good experience for them, despite coming up short once more.Copa America winners Argentina are 9/1 with Germany – dumped out their home Euros in the quarter finals by the eventual winners – back at 12/1.Portugal (12/1), Netherlands (16/1) and Italy (22/1) are other contenders, with Scotland (400/1), Wales (500/1) and Northern Ireland (1000/1) having their work cut out.William Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk*18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. More

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      Jose Mourinho congratulates and criticises HIMSELF after Spain’s Euro 2024 final win over England

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      JOSE MOURINHO has congratulated and criticised HIMSELF after Spain won Euro 2024.The Spanish defeated England 2-1 in the final at the Olympastadion in Berlin on Sunday evening.Jose Mourinho has congratulated the Spain team on winning Euro 2024Credit: GettyHe also praised himself for trusting Alvaro Morata and Nacho when they were prospectsCredit: AlamyMourinho took to social media to praise Spain’s achievement… and made sure to mention his own input to the team.The new Fenerbahce manager congratulated himself for handing Nacho and Alvaro Morata their debuts at Real Madrid.However, he did also admit that he did not do the same with Dani Carvajal.He wrote: “2024/Champions League winner captain Nacho Fernandez/European Champion winner captain Alvaro Morata.READ MORE ON EURO 2024″Many congratulations to them and to the coach who gave them their debut when they were just kids in the Academy 😂😂😂.”Same coach who did not understand that Dani Carvajal was another one 😡🤬😀.”Many congratulations to Mister De La Fuente for an amazing job.”Best team won!”Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThis felt like our time… but keep Gareth’s culture and we can win it in 2026 instead, writes Jack WilshereIT will take a while for me and every England fan to get over this, writes Jack Wilshere.To come so close to winning that trophy, only to be beaten in a second Euros final in a row, is a huge disappointment.Especially when it really felt like this was our time.It seemed that everything was coming together for us to end the long wait for a major title.But Spain deserved it. They were the better team in the final and the best team of the tournament.We will all — supporters, players, coaches, the FA — have to move on and go again.Because English football is still in a good position.Gareth Southgate has taken us to two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final in four tournaments. We have never produced a run like that before.The challenge now is to maintain this level of competitiveness and make England even better.Southgate and his staff have done a fantastic job in changing the whole environment and narrative around the national team.Whether Gareth carries on or not, the wider culture he has put in place must be preserved.This tournament was the biggest test of that culture the team had to go through.They overcame the problems and went all the way, only to fall at the final hurdle.But there is every reason to believe we can challenge at the World Cup in 2026 and beyond.We’ve got a really good group of players, many of them young, who can go on playing and performing for England for years.Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — to name just five — have plenty more tournaments in them.This tournament will also be an inspiration for the next generations of players. Unfortunately there isn’t the trophy lift to take that to a completely different level.But England have delivered moments in Germany that will be replayed forever.The Bellingham overhead kick and Ollie Watkins’ semi-final winner will be recreated in playgrounds and cages up and down the country.What I would like to see now is England continuing to develop, to become a team that can consistently dominate opponents and can give a real identity to English football.We now have players who are comfortable on the ball and technically very good.The biggest disappointment of the tournament was that we didn’t see that as often as we would have liked. That leaves us with a ‘what if?’ feeling.England must not lose that old-school mentality of finding a way to win even when you’re not playing well — that never-say-die spirit which got us through this Euros more than once.But the next step is to allow other qualities to shine through, to give the players that our system is creating the platform to show  everything they can do.The job for me and for other coaches is to keep producing players that are comfortable on the ball and understand how to perform under pressure at a high level.English football is in a good place but we need to keep going. Then we will finally get over the line.Real all of SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere’s Euro 2024 columns…Mourinho handed Morata his debut at Real Madrid in December 2010 in a 3-1 win over Real Zaragoza in LaLiga.Nacho, on the other hand, was given his bow in the first-team in a 6-3 away win over Valencia in April 2011. Euro Player Rankings 2024Carvajal, however, struggled for game time under Mourinho and was loaned out during the manager’s last season in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.He enjoyed his temporary move away from the club at Bayer Leverkusen.He returned to Spain in 2013 and solidified himself in the Real team under Carlo Ancelotti.ALL THE FALLOUTENGLAND fell at the final hurdle at Euro 2024, losing to a dramatic late Mikel Oryazabal winner as Spain won the tournament. More

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      Thomas Tuchel wants England job as ex-Chelsea manager throws hat in ring to succeed Gareth Southgate

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      THOMAS TUCHEL wants to be England manager – if Gareth Southgate steps down.Tuchel was open to succeeding Southgate after the 2022 World Cup but the FA ultimately decided to extend Southgate’s contract.Thomas Tuchel is keen to take the England jobCredit: GettyIt comes after Gareth Southgate threw his England future into doubtCredit: AlamyThat contract expires in December this year, with the FA keen for Southgate to extend again.But the manager cast doubt on his future when talking on live TV after losing the Euros final.Southgate unusually referred to England’s squad as “they” and refused to comment on his immediate future in the aftermath of defeat.He said: “I think England are in a really good position in terms of the experiences they’ve got now. The age of the squad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Most of this squad are going to be around not only for the World Cup but the next Euros as well.”There’s a lot to look forward to but this moment is not any consolation.”Tuchel most recently managed Bayern Munich from March 2023 until the end of this season.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSouthgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-PresentP102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%He was dismissed in February but given a stay of execution until this summer.Most read in Euro 2024He is among the highest profile managers to be linked with the England job so far, having previously won the Champions League, the Bundesliga and the French league title among others.Heartbroken England heroes land back in London to no fans after devastating loss to Spain in Euro 2024 finalThere has been no contact between the FA and Tuchel but SunSport understands the German remains keen on the job.Graham Potter is the current bookies favourite to succeed Southgate should he depart.Tuchel meanwhile is a 33/1 outsider.The FA are also keen on talking to Newcastle manager Eddie Howe but the Magpies would be reluctant to lose their boss.Mauricio Pochettino is another manager the FA have admired in the past and is now out of work having left Chelsea this summer by mutual consent.Under-21s coach Lee Carsley may follow Southgate’s path in stepping up from the youth groups to the senior team.More outlandish reports have linked Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola with the job while Frank Lampard has also been suggested as a Southgate successor. More