World Cup 2022

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      Neymar posts emotional open letter to outgoing Brazil boss Tite after World Cup favourites were knocked out by Croatia

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      NEYMAR has posted an emotional open letter to outgoing Brazil boss Tite.Tite, 61, left his role as manager following the shock quarter-final defeat to Croatia.
      Neymar shared an emotional letter for the departing Tite saying he deserved to win the World CupCredit: Rex
      The five-time champions crashed out of the World Cup after losing 4-2 on penalties.
      And superstar Neymar posted a heartfelt tribute to the gaffer on Instagram on Monday.
      The 30-year-old wrote: “Before we met in person, we played a lot against and let me tell you, I thought you were really annoying!
      “Because you put together a team to mark me, you would do everything to beat me and you still spoke ill of me. But destiny is funny, huh? Put you as my coach and me as your number 10.
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      “I knew you as a coach and I already knew you were very good but as a person you are MUCH BETTER!
      “You met me and you know who i am and that’s what matters to me….
      “I come here to openly thank you for everything, all the teachings you’ve given us… and there were so many.
      “You will always be one of the best coaches I’ve ever had or will have, I will always lift you up.
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      “We had beautiful moments but we also had moments that hurt us a lot and the latter will hurt us for a long time. You deserved to be crowned with this cup.
      “We all deserved it for everything we did and for everything we gave up to try to achieve our biggest dream. But God didn’t want it that way, patience. God has given us EVERYTHING!
      “Thank you, professor Tite, for all the learnings.. and if there is a phrase that I will never forget is ‘MENTALLY STRONG’ and we will have to be VERY in that moment!
      “A big hug and THANK YOU.”
      Tite led Brazil to the quarters at the 2018 World Cup where his side lost to Belgium.
      They won the Copa America in 2019 before reaching the final again last year, only to suffer defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Argentina.
      And Tite has now decided to step down following a six-year reign.
      In doing so he became the sixth World Cup manager to leave his post after exiting the competition.
      Mexico and manager Gerardo Martinez parted ways following their shock group stage exit, with Roberto Martinez suffering the same fate at Belgium.
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      Ghana gaffer Otto Addo also left his post, while Spain sacked Luis Enrique following their last-16 penalty shoot-out defeat to Morocco.
      While South Korea manager Paulo Bento also planned to stand down at the end of the tournament and did so after being thrashed 4-1 by Tite’s Brazil. More

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      England’s marvellous 1966 heroes are ready to pass baton to new generation of World Cup winners… and it felt SO close

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      A MUCH-REVERED former colleague on The Sun used to boom out his favourite mantra at every World Cup: “When’s the parade?”It was a mocking reference to the eternal optimism many of the press pack had — me included — that England were going to win it and our gallant heroes would return in triumph, touring the streets of London on an open-top bus as hundreds of thousands of ecstatic fans lined the pavements.
      England’s 1966 World Cup win feels increasingly distantCredit: Getty
      The Three Lions lost to France in devastating fashion on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Any time England put in a sub-standard performance during a tournament, he would be at it: “When’s the parade?”
      And, of course, once England went out he repeated it again, followed by a shake of the head and a knowing look which said, ‘You lot will never learn’.
      Nothing would have given me greater pleasure in life than to have sent him a text this coming Sunday which read: “See you at the parade.”
      That song from the 1982 World Cup squad had been ringing in my ears.
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      You know the one: “This time, more than any other time, this time, we’ll get it right.”
      More than ever before it really felt like it would happen.
      This England had all the ingredients — better strength in depth than any other squad, an array of attacking talent rival countries could only dream of, players worth £100million-plus who were admired worldwide and a manager with the experience of coming so close to glory, who was ready to take the Three Lions that one final step.
      The longer the World Cup progressed, the prize was within our grasp.
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      Germany were out, Belgium were out, Brazil were out and, when Portugal lost to Morocco and the Africans became our potential semi-final opponents, our name was all but on the golden trophy.
      And yes, one of our number did make calls to the relevant authorities to ask whether arrangements had been made for the parade.
      But, of course, it never works out does it.
      England lack that magic ingredient, the killer instinct which gets us over the finish line, the X-factor of knowing how to win the biggest prize.
      Reigning world champions France had that, despite the fact England probably had the better team.
      Getting the first one for more than half a century is the hardest one of all.
      France’s extra experience told on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      We did it in 1966 and the names of that famous team have been burned into my brain all my life.
      To meet some of them and, at times, work with them was always special. They had done it, they’d beaten the world yet they were always so humble about it.
      That was partly because they were cast aside by the FA and the country generally. There were no big-money punditry jobs in those days.
      They had to scrap for a living like everyone else.
      On a previous paper I gave hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst a column during Euro 96.
      He was surprised to get the offer as it was 30 years since his famous feat and he had carved out a new career as an insurance salesman.
      I travelled with Sir Bobby Charlton a few times as he traipsed his way round the globe trying to win our bid to stage the 2006 World Cup.
      It wasn’t a case of turning up at a few glamour events, he worked himself into the ground, on a hamster wheel which got ever faster as we forlornly tried to earn votes from corrupt Fifa executives.
      Geoff Hurst has been a great ambassador for English footballCredit: Getty
      He didn’t complain, he felt it was his duty. But no sooner had we lost the bid, the FA forgot about him again.
      I met our World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore at Wembley and he introduced himself to me!
      He never presumed people would knew who he was.
      His job then was as a summariser for London radio station, Capital.
      He was grateful for the work after some failed business ventures and there is a famous picture of him huddled up against the cold in the press box just days before he died of cancer.
      Moore was sitting only a few yards from where he stopped to wipe his hands before receiving the World Cup from the Queen.
      He passed long before the FA woke up and realised it was time we treated the 1966 squad with the deference they were due and Hurst has been a marvellous ambassador for that team.
      But even he realises the time is long overdue to pass the baton on to a fresh generation of winners.
      We desperately need new images to replace those fading black and white photos of a team which for many of us exists not in our memories but in those of our parents and grandparents.
      And had England succeeded you can bet none of this squad would have become insurance salesmen, local radio commentators or been flogged into the ground taking round the begging bowl to bloated nobodies.
      Only Charlton and Hurst from that ’66 team were knighted but not until 1994 and 1998 respectively.
      Had England won this one, it would have been knighthoods all round and a lifetime of permanent adoration.
      Arise, Sir Jude Bellingham, would have had a lovely ring to it.

      IVANA GET DRESSED
      THANKS to Croatian ‘super-fan’ Ivana Knoll for clarifying that, despite reports, she will not be stripping naked if her country wins the World Cup.
      Ivana confessed that, before arriving in Qatar, she was not aware of the rules about dressing modestly and that she didn’t actually have the clothes with her to cover everything.
      Fair play to her, she’s now doing her bit to fall in line… and has covered her shoulders !
      Ivana Knoll has caused a stir at the World CupCredit: Splash
      FIGHTING THE LLOR
      EVEN the French laughed at The Sun posting pictures of our players all over Paris ahead of the quarter-final.
      Good to see that they had a sense of humour — and, anyway, they got the last laugh following their 2-1 win.
      One man without a sense of humour before the big match was Tottenham and France skipper Hugo Lloris, who was steaming mad about suggestions in the English press that he was one of the weakest links in the French team.
      He joined in with the last laugh, too.
      Hugo Lloris had the last laugh on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      QAT OUT THE BAG
      GOT chatting to a waiter in Doha who explained how he had come to the World Cup on a two-month contract for the princely sum of 5,000 riyals.
      That’s £560 a month to you and me, or £125 a week for a nine-week contract. Or, if you like, £18 a day.
      He told me he lived in a compound, four men to a small room, and all he did was work and sleep. “Now,” he said, “I want to get a job here!”
      Sorry, what was that?
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      “Yes, I come from Lebanon and my country is destroyed. Here there are opportunities.”
      Never have I been so lost for words. More

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      Tony Adams: Gareth Southgate is a ‘good loser’ and that mentality MUST change if England ever want World Cup glory

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      I’M fed up with us being plucky losers.After we lost to France all the talk was: “Well done England, jolly good defeat, keep your heads high.”
      England manager Gareth Southgate consoled Harry Kane after their World Cup defeatCredit: PA
      I can’t stand that.
      If I’d been one of those England players I’d be in “don’t talk to me” mode for about two years. I wouldn’t want anyone telling me that I’d done well.
      We’ve missed another fantastic opportunity and it’s not a question of effort. We gave absolutely everything.
      But our “good effort lads, better luck next time” attitude bloody annoys me. I’m such a bad loser, I can’t take it.
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      This is the mentality we have to change.
      They’re all nice people in the England camp. Gareth Southgate’s lovely, Stevie Holland is wonderful, Chris Powell is a beautiful man.
      But they need an experienced, serial winner around the place.
      Gareth doesn’t lack courage, he has tremendous courage. But he’s a good loser. It’s hard to say that but it’s the truth.
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      Tony Adams believes Southgate needs to bring in a proven winnerCredit: Louis Wood
      They need another voice, an experienced head who’s won stuff at the highest level for their clubs who can have a word in some ears about what you need to do to get over that line which we don’t seem able to cross.
      We could have done it in Qatar. We fight, we don’t run away. But losing becomes a habit and it’s hard to shake that, even with all the will and all the skill in the world.
      You go on the field fearing what might happen and the more you lose the worse that gets.
      I don’t want Southgate and his coaching staff to quit. They are great guys and they’re doing great work.
      Gareth’s probably thinking: “Have I taken it as far as I can go. I’ve had three shots at it.”
      But is there someone else to replace him?
      I don’t think Eddie Howe is ready yet, for instance.
      He’s early in his development and probably wouldn’t leave Newcastle anyway. We have the best man at the moment but we have to find a way of getting to the next level.
      Gareth doesn’t lack courage, he has tremendous courage. But he’s a good loser. It’s hard to say that but it’s the truth.
      Which is why we need that Bryan Robson type of character, a winner who has a word for the manager or players at the crucial times. Someone the coaching team can call on for advice. Sol Campbell, too, might be someone who fits the bill.
      France have that in their manager Didier Deschamps who has done it all and we are missing that ingredient among the backroom team.
      When we were kids in the Arsenal youth team we were winning everything, so when we progressed to stepping out at Anfield for the first team it didn’t bother us, we expected to win. It was the same for the Class of 92 at Manchester United.
      With experience, you get to know what you need to do, when to drop off, when to go forward. You learn what it takes.
      Emotionally and mentally we need a significant shift here. We’re doing the same things. We get what we think we’ll get.
      Someone needs to get in among these boys and say there’s going to be a moment where you need to step up.
      I remember when we went to Rome needing a draw to qualify for the 1998 World Cup and there was a split second when Christian Vieri got in at the near post and he looked like he might score but I just did enough to stop him.
      Bukayo Saka was superb before being replaced by Raheem Sterling in the 79th minuteCredit: Getty
      Similarly, Harry Maguire had to get across and snuff out Olivier Giroud’s threat. There are moments in a game where it’s your turn, where an individual has to do their bit to make sure the team succeeds.
      Players need to know when their moment is.
      I was saying to my boy:  “Giroud’s not done anything.” And he said: “Dad, you’re putting a curse on him” — and he pops up with the winner.
      He was there when it was his moment, Maguire wasn’t.
      And Southgate also needed someone saying to him: “You can’t take Bukayo Saka off, he’s our best player.”
      Saka was my man of the match, he was brilliant. And, like I said ahead of the game, their full-backs were not as good as ours.
      Theo Hernandez was shocking and Saka took him to the cleaners. Whereas for us Kyle Walker had a good game against Kylian Mbappe.
      We are working in the right direction. We’ve got good players but I stand by changing the captain. Harry Kane is the No 9 and did not shirk responsibility for missing that penalty.
      But we’ve got to think about what we do now with the captaincy.
      That’s more of an issue than the coach and, as I said before, I believe Declan Rice should have the job.
      Is Kane going to be the shining star at the next two tournaments?
      When are we going to get to the point where we take him off and change it?
      It’s hard to do when he’s captain.
      Southgate and Kane come as a pair, though, and there’s such a strong bond there.
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      It’s another one for the experienced man to advise on and persuade the manager to make that change.
      Find the right man for that job and we just might crack it.
      England were left devastated following the narrow loss to FranceCredit: Getty More

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      Reyna slams his USA boss Berhalter as it emerges he was ONE player vote away from being booted out of World Cup squad

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      US bad boy Gio Reyna has slammed coach Gregg Berhalter and his team-mates – after it emerged he was ONE player vote away from being booted out of the World Cup squad.The Dortmund 20-year-old’s lack of action in Qatar was a mystery during the tournament.
      Gio Reyna played just 52 minutes for the USA at the World CupCredit: AP
      Coach Gregg Berhalter had claimed that Reyna, whose father Claudio was a childhood pal and US team-mate, was suffering with a minor muscle problem.
      Reyna publicly denied that he was injured and hinted that there were other underlying issues between him and the coach.
      It has now emerged that Reyna’s team-mates were so angry at his behaviour and “alarming lack of effort” around the team camp in Doha that they held a VOTE to see if he should be sent home.
      But Reyna hit back by explaining his attitude was a direct result of being told by Berhalter before the start of the tournament that he would have a marginal role – and suggested team-mates and the coach were giving misleading accounts.
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      Reyna went on Instagram to post: “I hoped not to comment on matters at the World Cup.  
      “It is my belief that things that happen in a team setting ought to remain private.  
      “That being said, statements have been made that reflect on my professionalism and character, so I feel the need to make a brief statement.”
      He added: “Just before the World Cup, Coach Berhalter told me that my role at the tournament would be very limited.  
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      “I was devastated. I am someone who plays with pride and passion.   Soccer is my life, and I believe in my abilities. 
      “I fully expected and desperately wanted to contribute to the play of a talented group as we tried to make a statement at the World Cup.”
      Reyna’s behaviour began to cause problems during a pre-tournament warm-up against Qatari club Al Gharafa, where he was accused of “walking around throughout the game”.
      It saw him taken to one side by team-mates DeAndre Yedlin and Aaron Long who were said to have repeatedly asked him to show more effort.
      Reyna’s reaction to not getting on in the 1-1 opening draw with Wales was to hurl his shin pads across the dressing room floor, widening the rift with the coach and his colleagues, although he eventually made cameo appearances against both England and Holland.
      Berhalter, in what US team chiefs described as “off the record” comments made at a “leadership summit” in New York after his return from Qatar, said: “In this last World Cup, we had a player that was clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field. 
      “One of 26 players, so it stood out. As a staff, we sat together for hours deliberating what we were going to do with this player.
      “We were ready to book a plane ticket home, that’s how extreme it was. 
      “What it came down to was, we’re going to have one more conversation with him, and part of the conversation was how we’re going to behave from here out. There aren’t going to be any more infractions.
      It’s going to have to go deeper than just “Guys, I’m sorryGregg Berhalter
      “But the other thing we said to him was, ‘you’re going to have to apologise to the group, but it’s going to have to say why you’re apologising. It’s going to have to go deeper than just “Guys, I’m sorry.” 
      “And I prepped the leadership group with this.  I said, ‘Okay, this guy’s going to apologise to you as a group, to the whole team. 
      “And what was fantastic in this whole thing is that after he apologised, they stood up one by one and said, ‘Listen, it hasn’t been good enough, You haven’t been meeting our expectations of a team-mate and we want to see change.’
      “They really took ownership of that process. And from that day on there were no issues with this player.”
      Berhalter and his staff opted not to take part in the vote, leaving the final decision to the players, and Reyna was allowed to stay only after winning the ballot by the smallest margin of 13-12.
      Now Reyna has conceded he did lose focus and that his behaviour was out of line – although he is furious at the briefing against him.
      I apologised to my team-mates and coach for this, and I was told I was forgivenGio Reyna
      The youngster added: “I am also a very emotional person, and I fully acknowledge that I let my emotions get the best of me and affect my training and behaviour for a few days after learning about my limited role.  
      “I apologised to my team-mates and coach for this, and I was told I was forgiven.  
      “Thereafter, I shook off my disappointment and gave everything I had on and off the field.  
      “I am disappointed that there is continuing coverage of this matter (as well as some highly fictionalised versions of events) and extremely surprised that anyone on the US men’s team staff would contribute to it.  
      “Coach Berhalter has always said that issues that arise with the team will stay “in house” so we can focus on team unity and progress.  
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      “I love my team, I love representing my country, and I am focusing now only on improving and growing as a soccer player and a person.  
      “I hope that going forward each person involved in US Soccer focuses only on what is in the best interest of the men’s national team so we can enjoy great success at the World Cup in 2026.”
      Gregg Berhalter lifted the lid on matters within the US dressing roomCredit: Getty More

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      Didier Drogba tips ‘true leader’ Harry Kane to come back stronger from World Cup heartbreak after England penalty miss

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      CHELSEA legend Didier Drogba has offered a message of support for Harry Kane following his penalty miss against France, insisting he will be back stronger.The England skipper, 29, brilliantly dispatched the Three Lions’ first spot kick against the defending champions on Saturday night.
      Harry Kane rifled a late penalty over the crossbar in England’s defeat to FranceCredit: Getty
      Didier Drogba believes Kane will come back stronger from the disappointmentCredit: Getty
      But after Olivier Giroud then put France 2-1 up, Gareth Southgate’s men were handed another penalty in the 84th minute.
      Kane stepped up to face his Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris for a second time, only to fire over the crossbar from 12 yards.
      Didier Deschamps men held on to win the match and progress through to the semi-finals.
      But Drogba believes the experience will only strengthen Kane for the future.
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      Speaking on Twitter, he said: “It will hurt, but you are a true captain and leader.
      “Really like the way you played during this World Cup, an example for strikers to watch: score, assist, hold and lead!! 
      “It will take time to get over it but this will make you stronger!!!”
      Drogba was reacting to Kane’s tweet on Sunday in which he admirably took the blame for England’s defeat.
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      He said: “Absolutely gutted. We’ve given it everything and it’s come down to a small detail which I take responsibility for.
      “There’s no hiding from it, it hurts and it’ll take some time to get over it but that’s part of sport.
      “Now it’s about using the experience to be mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge.
      “Thanks for all the support throughout the tournament – it means a lot. 🦁.”
      Drogba is familiar with penalty disappointment having missed one for Ivory Coast against Zambia in the final of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
      However, the ex-Chelsea striker did then go on to score in the penalty shootout which they won. More

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      Brazil legend Ronaldo backs Neymar to play in 2026 World Cup but believes PSG star is ‘very upset’

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      BRAZIL icon Ronaldo believes Neymar will play at the 2026 World Cup.The five-time champions were stunned by Croatia in the quarter-finals on Friday as they crashed out on penalties.
      Neymar was reduced to tears following Brazil’s World Cup exitCredit: AP
      Ronaldo starred for Brazil during their 2002 World Cup triumph and still thinks Neymar can win the trophyCredit: Getty
      It means Neymar’s quest for the World Cup goes on – with the Paris Saint-Germain forward set to be 34 years old come the next tournament in Canada, Mexico and USA.
      But Ronaldo, who lifted the World Cup with his country in 1994 and most famously in 2002, backs Neymar to be there in four years for another crack at winning Brazil’s sixth title.
      Speaking to AP, he said: “I think Neymar is very upset with the result of the World Cup for the Brazil national team.
      “It’s normal that he’s feeling that way for now, but I’m also sure that he will come back stronger and continue playing with the national team.”
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      Neymar suffered an ankle injury in their opening game against Serbia at the World Cup.
      He then missed the clashes with Switzerland and Cameroon, before returning for the 4-1 win over South Korea in the last-16.
      The former Barcelona man then produced a stunning goal to give Brazil the lead in extra time against Croatia – before they conceded late on and lost on penalties.
      Yet despite their devastating exit, Ronaldo admires Neymar’s dedication to his country.
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      “I’m very happy that he showed the world a commitment for the last six months, for the Brazil national team,” he added.
      “He behaved himself. He took care of himself. And he played a good match, the first match. He got a very strong tackle on his ankle.
      “He made a huge sacrifice to play again for the national team. He played very good in the last match. I think he’s very important for us.
      “So I hope that [he] gets well soon and back strong in the football world with PSG and the Brazil national team.” More

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      ‘I would be happy for him if he wins it’ – Brazil legend Ronaldo cheering on Argentina star Messi to World Cup glory

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      BRAZIL legend Ronaldo has revealed that he would be happy for Lionel Messi if he was to guide Argentina to World Cup glory.The former striker, 46, has been a regular attendee at matches in Qatar, even after his country were eliminated.
      Lionel Messi has been lighting up the tournament in QatarCredit: Rex
      Ronaldo has been in attendance at many matches in QatarCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo has admitted that he doesn’t want fierce rivals Argentina to win the World Cup… but that he’d find Messi triumphing a nice silver lining.
      Chatting to reporters in Doha, he said: “I’m going to be honest, I can’t say I want Argentina to win, it would be lying.
      “I wouldn’t be happy as a Brazilian.
      “They all deserve it. Football is about playing and winning, nobody is going to give you anything. They all have a chance, of course.
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      “Argentina don’t play great football but they have an incredible desire.
      “They all run a lot together, they all have that aggressiveness… and then they have Messi, who when he gets in the box is very decisive.
      “Personally, I would be happy for him if he wins it.”
      Despite his admiration for Messi, R9 is backing France to go all the way once again.
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      He added: “My prediction from the beginning was always Brazil and France in the final.
      “Brazil are gone. France, game after game, have been confirming why they’re favourites and continue to have the best chance of winning the World Cup.”
      Argentina take on Brazil’s conquerors Croatia on Tuesday night, before reigning champions France face Morocco 24 hours later.
      Messi and Co squeezed past Holland on penalties in the most dramatic of the quarter-finals, after the PSG star scored and laid on a brilliant assist in the 2-2 draw.
      The 35-year-old is a front-runner for player of the tournament, having scored four goals and set up a further two in five matches in Qatar.
      Ronaldo, meanwhile was taught how to do the pigeon dance by Richarlison earlier in the tournament.
      Following Sunday’s final, he will go back to his day job as owner of Spanish club Real Valladolid.
      France have been backed to retain their crownCredit: Getty More

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      I had a very strong opinion on Southgate when he took over as England manager… but I’ve completely changed my mind

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      WHEN Gareth Southgate was appointed England manager six years ago, one pundit was incensed.
      “There are legions of better managers than Southgate in the world,” he raged on talkSPORT.
      Piers was initially not impressed with Gareth Southgate was appointed England bossCredit: Getty
      The Sun columnist had dismissed Southgate as the ‘easy option’
      England’s Harry Kane and manager Southgate look dejected after England were eliminated from the World CupCredit: Reuters
      “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.”
      The furious pundit added: “I only know Southgate as the guy who starred in pizza adverts when England were humiliated in the past.”
      Who on earth was this half-witted imbecile, I hear you cry.
      Well, confession time…. it was me!
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      I wasn’t the only one unimpressed.
      “I like Gareth Southgate,” said Harry Redknapp. “He’s a great lad, but what’s he done?”
      We were both wrong to doubt him.
      Southgate has become the second most successful England manager ever, after 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsay. 
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      He’s managed 81 games, winning 49 of them and boasting a 61.3% win percentage, and he guided us to a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and the 2020 European Championship final.
      But now, after England crashed out to France in the quarter-final stage of this year’s World Cup, the criticism has moved from “what’s he done” to “what’s he won?”
      It’s a legitimate question.
      I’ve always believed that high-level football is about winning trophies, otherwise what’s the point of competing?

      Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored weekdays on Sky 526, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 or on Fox Nation in the US

      But as we collectively lick our wounds after another bitter Three Lions disappointment, the important questions for me are these:

      Could Southgate have done any more to succeed in Qatar?
      Can he drive this team to glory in the next big tournament, the 2024 Euros in Germany?’

      And I think the honest answers are “No, and yes.”
      I thought England were excellent in this World Cup, fully justifying our billing as one of the favourites.
      With the exception of our tepid performance against USA, we were thrillingly good in demolishing Iran, Wales and Senegal.
      And we went toe-to-toe superbly well with current world champions France, a team packed full of players who’ve won far more big trophies at club and international level than our boys. 
      In the end, we were done in by a shockingly bad referee, and by a rare moment of technical failure from our captain Harry Kane, who is statistically one of the world’s best penalty-takers and who’d already smashed one in earlier in the game.
      I also think the French showed marginally more experience when it really mattered, as you would expect from an older group of players, many of whom won the last World Cup.
      Piers was reminded of Southgate’s infamous pizza advertCredit: PA:Press Association
      Southgate has become the second most successful England manager ever, after 1966 World Cup winner Sir Alf RamsayCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      But there was a lot to be proud of, not least the way we nullified Kylian Mbappe, the best striker on the planet.
      Trust me, our defeat won’t look so bad when – as I believe they will – France win it again this time.
      So, Southgate has made us a team that can consistently compete with the best out there.
      And when you consider how young so many of his brightest stars are – Bellingham, 19, Saka, 21, Foden, 22, Mount, 23, and Rashford and Rice, both 25 – then the future looks very exciting.
      It’s not just on the pitch that Southgate has impressed me.
      He’s also created a side that behaves impeccably, and respectfully, and shows an awareness of social issues that does them great credit, even if I find some of the armband-wearing virtue-signalling a bit overdone and pointless.
      Their team spirit is terrific, and they all seem to carry themselves with a maturity beyond their years.
      That’s down to Southgate, a thoroughly decent and thoughtful man who wants his players to do their country proud both with a ball and without it.
      Aside from the fact that there are few credible English (I now agree we should have a home-grown boss) options, I genuinely believe he will win us a trophyPiers Morgan
      A year into his tenure, I met Southgate at an awards show.
      “How’s the world’s most difficult, thankless job going?”, I asked.
       “It’s…interesting!”, he smiled.
      “What’s been the biggest surprise?”
      “When you’re an England player, you return to your club after a game and focus moves to that. But when you’re the England manager, the media attention, criticism and pressure never stops.”
      “You realise that unless you win a trophy, you’ll be mocked, abused, deemed a failure and unceremoniously sacked.”
      Southgate chuckled. “I do, yes…thanks for reminding me, though.”
      I met him again just before last year’s Euros when expectations were running feverishly high that England might finally bring it home.
      “Pressure’s on now,” I laughed. “It’s a fine line between hero and halfwit in your job…”
      “And in yours,” he retorted.
      “Do you really believe we can be Champions?” I asked.
      “Yes,” he replied, emphatically, fixing me with a steely-eyed glare of supreme confidence.
      The certainty with which he said it made me believe it too, and we very nearly did.
      Southgate, still only 52, is not just a nice guy with a good sense of humour and proper values.
      He’s also proved himself to be an excellent manager, in charge of a group of very talented young players who want him to continue.
      I do, too.
      Aside from the fact that there are few credible English (I now agree we should have a home-grown boss) options, I genuinely believe he will win us a trophy.
      And despite not winning one in six years, I don’t see many people mocking him, abusing him, branding him a failure – or angrily demanding he be sacked.
      Read More on The Sun
      Gareth Southgate’s made a lot of critics, including me, eat our sceptical words.
      He’s earned the right to carry on.
      When you consider how young so many of his brightest stars are – Mount, 23, Bellingham, 19, and Saka, 21, then the future looks very excitingCredit: Getty
      There was a lot to be proud of, not least the way we nullified Kylian MbappeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More