World Cup

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      England’s Kyle Walker & John Stones to fly stray Qatari cat to UK for new life

      by

      A STRAY Qatari moggy being flown home for adoption by kind-hearted England stars was facing a four month wait to be reunited with them last night – and the snip.Secret softies Kyle Walker and John Stones took the tabby to their hearts during their four-week stay and pledged to bring him home if England won the World Cup.
      Kyle Walker and John Stones have brought home a stray Qatari cat for adoption
      Dave was being cared for by the Qatar Animal Welfare SocietyCredit: PA
      But his footballs won’t be coming home – as he is due to be neutered today before being vaccinated and prepared for his new life in the UK.
      Manchester City defenders Kyle and John stuck to their vow despite being knocked out by France in the quarter finals and he will now be flown to the UK in the new year.
      And they must now decide which of them takes permanent custody of the lovable tabby.
      Dave was last night being cared for by the Qatar Animal Welfare Society who have been paid around £2,000 by players to be microchipped and vaccinated against viruses including rabies.
      Read More on England
      He will be tested in three month’s time to be given the all-clear then accompanied on a plane to the UK.
      Welfare society chief Janet Berry has been caring for animals in Qatar for 18 years after moving from Woking, Surrey and will care for Dave until he makes the 4,000-mile trip.
      Janet, 58, said last night: “Dave’s a really lovely talkative tabby and it’s easy to see why the players fell in love with him.
      “But I’m afraid he’s going to have to have the snip tomorrow as it’s the most responsible thing to do to reduce the population of strays and keep them healthy.
      Most read in Football
      “He’s a beautiful cat and will be staying with me before he’s flown to the players because we don’t want him doing a disappearing act from the hotel.
      “The FA approached me to help them after the players said they wanted him properly looked after and brought home.”
      The player’s pledge to bring Dave home was at odds with hotel claims that Dave was staying put yesterday – and sparked a tabby tug-of-love riddle.
      Souq Al Wakra Hotel manager Emad Nabulsi produced pictures and video of Dave playing inside the hotel grounds yesterday.
      And he insisted the cat was happy and being cared for by his staff.Mr Nabulsi – who sent a snap of Dave being petted by hotel worker.
      Lorna Rejuso said last night: “The England players said their goodbyes to Dave and he’s staying in the hotel.
      “Kyle Walker said he wanted to adopt him but I know nothing of any plans for him to go to England – he’s being well looked after here by our staff.”
      Mr Nabulsi sent pictures and videos showing plump Dave relaxing by the hotel’s new pool – built especially for the players for the ill-fated four-week stay at the swish hostelry.
      And he showed off a special care package sent by the Qatar Animal Welfare group with the card: “We would appreciate an opportunity to discuss how we can assist Dave with his future.”
      Mr Nabulsi added: “Dave has been sent a supply of dry food by the welfare society to keep him fit and well nourished.
      Read More on The Sun
      “There are lots of stray cats around the souk but Dave is now one of the fattest and healthiest after being fed at England dining tables for so long.
      “I’m sure he misses the team because they were so kind to him but he’s very contented here.”
      The players paid around £2,000 to have Dave microchipped and vaccinated against viruses including rabies
      Animal welfare chief Janet Berry will care for Dave until he makes the 4,000-mile tripCredit: PA
      Janet said: ‘Dave’s a lovely, talkative tabby. It’s easy to see why the players fell for him’
      Dave the cat before leaving Al Wakrah on his way to England to be rehousedCredit: PA More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      England will not find a better manager than Gareth Southgate… and Southgate may not find a better job than England

      by

      GARETH SOUTHGATE went to Qatar believing this World Cup would probably represent his endgame.Had England bombed spectacularly, or even progressed to the latter stages while failing to excite the nation, he would have recognised he had outstayed his welcome after six years in charge.
      Gareth Southgate’s standing is arguably higher than everCredit: Dan Charity
      Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka had excellent tournaments for England, while Jack Grealish also has time to developCredit: Rex
      And if the Three Lions had lifted the trophy, there is no doubt that he would have waved a fond farewell, bathed in glory.
      The only scenario which would have tempted him to stay was one such as this — glorious failure, the nagging sense of ‘what might have been’ and the tantalising prospect of what might be still to come at the Euros in Germany 18 months from now.
      Young players such as Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Phil Foden enjoyed very good tournaments and they will be better still by the summer of 2024.
      So after four fearless, thrilling performances out of five here, including Saturday’s loss to France’s world champions, Southgate is tempted to go again.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Even in the immediate aftermath of England’s elimination, as the exhaustion of tournament management hit home and the agony of Harry Kane’s late penalty miss wounded him, Southgate was level-headed.
      He knew he needed time to think properly about whether he still has the mental energy and supreme motivation to take the Three Lions through another qualifying campaign.
      Whether, after 13 years away from  club management, that is what he  truly wants.
      So as Southgate considers his future — and this is entirely his own decision, the FA and his players are desperate for him to stay — it is worth understanding that this was his starting point.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      Travelling over to Qatar, Southgate felt unpopular.
      Those howls from the Wolves, when England were marmalised 4-0 by Hungary and then booed off by the Molineux crowd in June, were still ringing in his ears.
      Days before that Nations League defeat, England’s worst at home for almost a century, Southgate had been unusually prickly in the face of criticism, tired by the accusations of over-caution and negativity.
      A couple of tweets from Gary Lineker during the 1-1  draw with Germany in Munich a week earlier had really stuck in his craw.
      Southgate, self-aware and emotionally mature, knows that every manager has a shelf life and he understood that public opinion was turning against him.
      So he was likely to quit after Qatar, take a break and hopefully find an appealing club job next summer.
      And while there will always be pub bores and keyboard warriors demanding Southgate is axed, the England boss left Qatar with renewed respect from most.
      Yes, just like the Golden Generation, England lost in the quarter-finals to the first world-class team they encountered.
      But this felt different. It was, as Southgate recognised, England’s best performance against elite opposition during his time in charge.
      Had Kane equalised with that penalty, the Three Lions had an excellent chance to dethrone the world champions and even win the tournament.
      When he reviews England’s campaign, both privately and in an FA debrief, Southgate will find plenty to persuade him to stay, a renewed boldness and  positivity, a sense of renewal for a regime which had threatened to turn stale.
      There is no credible, gettable English alternative to Southgate and the FA are loath to go for a foreign manager.
      Southgate is a loyal man, with a quiet patriotism, a keen sense of national duty, and a strong affinity with a group of players who hold him in great esteem.
      The FA are desperate for him to stay because he makes them look good.
      On and off the field, Southgate has restored pride in the England team after decades of farce — three good tournaments for a likeable team with a social conscience, guided by a thoroughly decent boss.
      There is no credible, gettable English alternative to Southgate and the FA are loath to go for a foreign manager having invested so much in St George’s Park, their national hub, and their coaching pathways.
      One key factor in whether Southgate stays or goes will be the thoughts of his assistant, Steve Holland.
      Southgate regards them very much as a managerial duo, always referring to ‘we’ rather than ‘I’.
      They have been together for a decade and they complement each other — Southgate the good cop, Holland the bad cop, Southgate the man-manager and ambassador, Holland the tactician and disciplinarian.
      They are likely to end up in club management together whenever their England tenure ends.
      And while the England post is very much a full-time job for Southgate — as he is so invested in St George’s Park and everything it represents — Holland is often frustrated by the lack of time he spends on the training pitch as an international coach.
      Yet how good a club job might Southgate, and Holland, actually get next year? Of the top jobs in the Premier League — the Big Six plus Newcastle — perhaps only Tottenham but that would depend on Antonio Conte leaving and Mauricio Pochettino not returning.
      A job abroad? Perhaps, but Southgate is not a globe-trotting multi-linguist like Roy Hodgson.
      Read More on The Sun
      So would he want to jack in  the chance of leading England at the  Euros for a fair-to-middling Premier League job?
      Because the truth is the FA can find no better manager than Southgate — and Southgate may find no better employer than the FA. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Thomas Tuchel wants England job if Southgate walks away after World Cup exit… but FA keen to appoint British coach

      by

      THOMAS TUCHEL wants the England job — if  Gareth Southgate decides to walk away.The former Chelsea chief is back in Germany after being sacked by the Blues in September.
      Ex-Chelsea and PSG chief Thomas Tuchel would be keen on bossing the Three Lions’ should current manager Gareth Southgate step down.Credit: Alamy
      But Tuchel, 49, would love to make a swift return to England as boss of the Three Lions.
      He has seen first-hand all the young talent at the country’s disposal, both at Stamford Bridge and in opposition teams.
      Chelsea stars Mason Mount, Reece James, Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell have all been part of the current set-up.
      The FA is desperate for Southgate to stay on despite Saturday’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.
      READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
      The Three Lions head coach intends to take his time to decide about his future.
      His current contract runs until the end of 2024, with the European Championship in Germany barely 18 months away.
      If Southgate did choose to quit, it is understood the FA would prefer to appoint a candidate from the British Isles.
      Graham Potter,  Brendan Rodgers and Eddie Howe  would all be in the frame.
      Most read in Sport
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      And Argentine ex-Spurs chief Mauricio Pochettino is high on the list, if judged purely by bookies’ odds.
      Southgate will assess his future once the crushing frustration in Qatar is replaced by a deeper analysis of England’s situation.
      He said: “After every tournament we’ve sat down and reviewed and reflected.
      “So we need a bit of time to make sure everyone makes the right decisions.
      “Whenever I’ve finished these tournaments I’ve needed time to make the correct decisions because emotionally you go through so many different feelings.
      “The energy it takes through these tournaments is enormous.
      “I want to make the right decisions, whatever that is, for the team, for England, for the FA.
      “I think it’s right to take a bit of time to do that because I know in the past how my feelings have fluctuated in the immediate aftermath of tournaments.” More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Gareth Southgate considering QUITTING as England manager… as he is still scarred by fans’ boos at Wolves

      by

      GARETH SOUTHGATE is considering quitting — as he is still scarred by his Wolverhampton nightmare.The England manager has a decision to make on his future following Saturday’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.
      Gareth Southgate is still considering quitting England after their World Cup exitCredit: Dan Charity
      The Three Lions boss suffered heartbreak against France on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      He was stung by a barrage of criticism after June’s humiliating 4-0 Molineux defeat to Hungary, when he was heavily booed by fans.
      Southgate said: “I’ve found large parts of the last 18 months difficult. For everything that I’ve loved about the last few weeks, I still look at how things have been for 18 months.
      “What’s been said and what’s been written, the night at Wolves.
      “There are lots of things in my head that’s really conflicted at the moment.
      READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
      “So what I want to make sure, if it’s the right thing to stay, is that I’ve definitely got the energy to do that.
      “I don’t want to be four or five months down the line thinking I’ve made the wrong call.
      “It’s too important for everybody to get that wrong.”
      Southgate, along with assistant Steve Holland, signed a two-year contract extension a year ago that runs until after Euro 2024 in Germany.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      The FA — along with the Three Lions squad — are desperate for the pair to stay.
      England’s next game is a Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy in March.
      If Southgate walks away, it would leave the FA in a nightmare situation as there is no obvious successor.
      The 52-year-old added: “After every tournament, I’ve sat with everybody at the FA and talked things through and I think that’s the right process to go through again.
      “It has been difficult to really think things through properly in those following few weeks.
      “It takes so much energy out of you and you have so much going through your mind.
      “I want to make the right decision either way.
      “I don’t think now is the time to make a decision like that. Neither are the next few days, really.”
      Southgate also revealed he cannot shake off the disappointment of losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties.
      He admitted: “I don’t think I have got over the last one but this feels a little bit different, as I’m not sure what more we could have done.”
      England’s Harry Kane is comforted by Gareth Southgate after his penalty missCredit: AP
      England’s players returned home yesterday and will now link up with their clubs.
      The manager said: “I have very few regrets about the whole thing.
      “On the big stage I know how the rest of the world are looking at us now.
      “Ultimately, we have fallen short and I also have to accept that.
      “But we are feeding at the top table of European and world football consistently now.
      “If we are in that place with the depth of squad we have got, that is a difficult and exciting time for England.
      “It is a difficult time for everybody and I think the players have represented them in the right way.
      Read More on The Sun
      “They’ve played in the right way and we hope everybody has enjoyed the journey.
      “We now have some young players with big-match experience already and a core of a group who will be together for a long while.” More

    • 263 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Players, fans and football legends beg Gareth Southgate to stay on and lead England to victory in Germany at Euro 2024

      by

      PLAYERS and fans last night begged Gareth Southgate to stay on as England manager.As he arrived back in the UK from Qatar amid World Cup heartache, he said he will “reflect and review” his position.
      Southgate waves after landing with the England team at Birmingham AirportCredit: Simon Jones
      Gareth Southgate has been begged to stay on as England managerCredit: Getty
      Southgate with Kieran Trippier in Qatar before departingCredit: Reuters
      But it sparked a huge outpouring of support for Southgate to lead the Three Lions to Euro 2024 victory in Germany in 18 months.
      Midfielder Declan Rice said: “I really hope he stays.”
      But as dejected players and staff prepared to fly home, a huge swelling of support was growing for Southgate to stay on.
      England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire hailed the Three Lions’ boss as “amazing”.
      Read More on Gareth Southgate
      He said: “I’m sure if you asked every player in the team they wouldn’t be able to speak highly enough of him.”
      Ex-England keeper Peter Shilton believes the 52-year-old gaffer can end the men’s 56-year wait for a trophy.
      He said: “Southgate must stay on as England manager. We have the basis of a team that will eventually win a big trophy. The future looks bright. Keep the faith.”
      Southgate’s young guns outplayed the French world champions at the Al Bayt Stadium but were punished at key moments — while Harry Kane’s uncharacteristic penalty miss late on sealed their fate.
      Most read in Football
      Southgate — who has led England to a World Cup semi and a Euros final — is under contract until December 2024 but will now have talks with the FA over his future.
      He refused to commit to staying on for the difficult Euro 2024 campaign — where our first qualifier will be in March against our 2020 conquerors Italy.
      He said: “Whenever I’ve finished these tournaments I’ve needed time to make the correct decision.
      “Emotionally you go through so many different feelings and the energy that it takes through these tournaments is enormous.
      He’s achieved incredible, incredible things for his country. He’s been in the semi-finals, and he’s been in the finals. He’s got to do it again because there are players there, younger players, to take us forward.Paul Parker
      “I want to make the right decision, whatever that is for the team, for England, the FA. I think it is right to take time to do that.”
      Paul Parker, an Italia 90 England star, last night added to the chorus of support for him to stay.
      He said: “Gareth Southgate’s going to go back, and he will want to reflect on what happened, but he’s got to be there for the next tournament — he has to be.
      “He’s achieved incredible, incredible things for his country. He’s been in the semi-finals, and he’s been in the finals. He’s got to do it again because there are players there, younger players, to take us forward.”
      Former England manager Sam Allardyce said: “I’d be surprised if he’s not carrying on for at least the next two years. There’s nothing better as a manager than looking at a team and saying, ‘I have a very, very good squad and I have a very good team at international level’.
      “Every manager wants to work with the best and I think he’s the best England has had for many, many years.
      “More young lads are coming through, so we are getting better and hopefully more resilient.
      “And in the end, hopefully, we can clinch a tournament.”
      Emotionally you go through so many different feelings and the energy that it takes through these tournaments is enormous. I want to make the right decision, whatever that is for the team, for England, the FA. I think it is right to take time to do that.Gareth Southgate
      Man United and England legend Gary Neville wants him to remain even after his current contract ends.
      He said: “I would love Gareth to stay on for another two years. I’d love him to stay on beyond that, whether it be actually as the coach or whether it be in a role in the FA in the future.”
      Fans also pleaded for Southgate to stay after the defeat to France, while Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio was coming under mounting criticism.
      John Jackson, a 59-year-old retired joiner from Gateshead, said: “We were by far the better team against France and would have won if it wasn’t for one kick of the ball and a dodgy ref.
      “This England team is still a work in progress but there’s only one man who can lead us to victory in the Euros — and that man is Gareth Southgate.”
      England Supporters’ Band trumpeter John Hemmingham, 59, said: “It would be a disaster if we lost him now. We’ve just outplayed the world champions and don’t need a new broom to come in and sweep away all the good work he’s done.”
      Sun and TalkTV star Piers Morgan added: “Could anyone else have done better with this (very good) squad of players? I don’t think so.”
      Meanwhile, Maguire risked a fine for blasting the ref, who refused two England penalty appeals and ignored a string of French fouls. He said: “It was really, really poor.”
      Southgate was seen chatting with Kieran Trippier as the players left yesterday while Jude Bellingham, Rice and Jack Grealish waved and gave the thumbs-up to fans.
      Kane was nowhere to be seen as the rest boarded a bus to the airport.
      Read More on The Sun
      He tweeted: “Absolutely gutted. We’ve given it everything and it’s come down to a small detail which I take responsibility for.”
      Saturday night’s game was the most-watched TV event of the year, pulling in 20.4million viewers, ITV said.
      Jack Grealish gives a thumbs-up before leaving QatarCredit: Dan Charity
      Midfielder Declan Rice publicly backed his bossCredit: Reuters
      Jude Bellingham leaves the team base to fly homeCredit: Dan Charity
      Declan Rice said: ‘I really hope he stays. I love playing under him’Credit: Rex More

    • 163 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet Morocco’s ‘David Beckham’ Achraf Hakimi who’s married to ‘world’s most beautiful actress’

      by

      MOROCCO might be the underdogs but they have already got the makings of a superstar squad on and off the pitch.And after French striker Kylian Mbappe’s uncontrolled laughter at the site of Three Lions captain Harry Kane missing a crucial penalty, most of England will be behind them.
      Achraf Hakimi is married to Hiba Abouk – described as one of the world’s most beautiful actressesCredit: Getty
      Hakimi captured the world’s attention with his winning penalty which knocked Spain out of the World CupCredit: Getty
      The North African side will be looking to their answer to David Beckham, Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi, to help them see off France in the semi-finals.
      The 24-year-old captured the world’s attention with his winning penalty which knocked Spain out of the World Cup last week.
      Hakimi is married to Hiba Abouk, 36, described as one of the world’s most beautiful actresses.
      The glamorous couple appeared on the front of Vogue Arabia in October.
      Read More on Achraf Hakimi
      His cleaner mum and street fruit seller dad emigrated from Morocco to Madrid — where Achraf was born — for a better life.
      Achraf said in 2020: “We come from a low-income family that struggled to make ends meet.
      “Today, I fight for them every day. They gave up their lives for me.
      “They took many things away from my brothers in order for me to succeed.”
      Most read in Football
      Hakimi played for local team CD Colonia Ofigevi before Real Madrid offered him a trial when he was seven.
      He played his debut for them aged 18, before signing with Borussia Dortmund on a two-year loan.
      He was then sold to Inter Milan for £35million before transferring to PSG for £60million and is now one of the top paid footballers, taking home more than £1million each month.
      In July 2018 he met Hiba and they married two years ago.
      First son Amin was born in February 2020 and another boy this year.
      Like Beckham, Hakimi was a young dad at 22, and says he has no expectation for his sons to follow in his footballing footsteps.
      Morocco — known as the Atlas Lions — are the first African and first Arab team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
      Captain Romain Saiss is married to Arab Idol popstar Salma Rachid.
      Team mates Hakim Ziyech, Ilias Chair, and Anass Zaroury all play for British clubs — Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley.
      Hakimi married Hiba two years ago after meeting in 2018Credit: Getty
      The glamorous couple appeared on the front of Vogue Arabia in OctoberCredit: Getty
      Hakimi said: ‘We come from a low-income family that struggled to make ends meet’Credit: Getty
      The Atlas Lion, celebrating with his cleaner mum, added: ‘Today, I fight for them every day. They gave up their lives for me’Credit: Rex
      Kylian Mbappe’s uncontrolled laughter at the site of Harry Kane missing a penaltyCredit: Rex More

    • 275 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘We were so close’ – Gutted Southgate reflects on World Cup KO and says England ‘feeding at top table of world football’

      by

      GARETH SOUTHGATE claims England went “so close” to glory in Qatar and are now consistently “feeding at the top table of world football”.The Three Lions’ boss has “few regrets” despite Saturday’s unlucky 2-1 loss to favourites France in the World Cup quarter-finals.
      Gareth Southgate, seen departing Birmingham airport after returning from Qatar, says England have ‘grown’ despite World Cup agonyCredit: Simon Jones
      Three Lions’ boss Southgate regrets little despite the missed opportunityCredit: AP
      Southgate is “reviewing” his future after a semi-final spot in 2018, shootout woe in the Euro 2020 final and now another near miss.
      But he believes England have “exciting” strength in depth and are finally cemented in the international elite.
      Southgate told  England’s YouTube channel: “Ultimately we’ve fallen short, I can’t get away from that.
      “But we’re feeding at the top table of European and world football consistently now.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      “If we’re in that place with the depth of squad that we’ve got, then that’s exciting and important for England. 
      “It’s a difficult time for everybody. We’re really aware of that. I think the players have represented them in the right way, played in the right way.”
      Southgate admitted the brutality of a sudden exit – sealed when Harry Kane missed a late second penalty – is hard to take after so long preparing.
      Speaking in the Lions’ Den with M&S Food host Josh Denzel, he said: “It’s a really strange feeling because the end of a tournament is so stark.
      Most read in Sport
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
      “Everyone is packing everything up, after going through years of preparation and then months of tighter preparation.
      “There’s also the feeling that we’ve come so close and the performance, we were happy with.
      “We felt we could’ve gone on and done more but yet, I really have few regrets about the whole thing so emotionally it’s a rollercoaster.” More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      England squad touch down in UK as World Cup stars receive heroes’ welcome at Birmingham Airport after quarter-final loss

      by

      ENGLAND’S stars and staff have touched back down on home turf following last night’s heartbreaking World Cup exit.The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium.
      England’s squad have landed back on home soil after their World Cup exitCredit: PA
      Gareth Southgate waves to the cameras as he heads home from the World CupCredit: Simon Jones
      Jude Bellingham gives a thumbs up as he departs Birmingham AirportCredit: PA
      Kyle Walker looked rather more subdued after the painful defeat to the FrenchCredit: Simon Jones
      Les Bleus controversially opened the scoring with Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range stunner and Harry Kane levelled things up from the penalty spot before Olivier Giroud extended his scoring record to 53 goals.
      England’s heroic captain had the chance to equalise once more with another spot-kick but he sadly missed the target.
      That meant that our boys were on the next plane home – but not before they showed their class off the pitch this morning.
      England showered hotel staff with gifts as they left to fly home from Qatar.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      Players handed out signed shirts and hugged workers, who in turn said Southgate’s 25-man squad had “made them feel like princes” and became “like family”.
      Midfield sensation Jude Bellingham urged fans to “stick with us” as he went over to chat outside the hotel and sign autographs.
      But Southgate says he is “reviewing” his future with FA chiefs, adding this was normal procedure after major tournaments.
      However, those thoughts and the painful memories of yesterday will have to be cast aside after our gallant heroes returned back to normal life this evening.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
      Bellingham put on a brave face as he gave a thumbs up while leaving Birmingham Airport, while Phil Foden was happy to pose for photos after he touched down at Manchester Airport.
      Meanwhile, Kyle Walker looked a lot more subdued as he headed back to Man City with his head bowed in the backseat of his chauffeur driven motor.
      Southgate, 52, is now weighing up if he should stay in charge.
      He said: “After every tournament we’ve sat down and reviewed and reflected.
      “So we need a bit of time to make sure everyone makes the right decisions.”
      “Whenever I’ve finished these tournaments I’ve needed time to make the correct decisions because emotionally you go through so many different feelings.”
      Harry Kane missed a late penalty that would have sent the game to extra-timeCredit: Getty
      The brave skipper has taken responsibility after the heartbreaking lossCredit: Getty
      But it was our brave captain Kane, who blazed his 84th-minute penalty, who has taken responsibility for the World Cup exit and he says the result “will hurt for a while”.
      He said: “It is a really tough night to take.
      “I am gutted, the team are gutted. We had full belief that we could achieve something special at this World Cup but it came down to small details.
      “I thought on the night we had the better chances and better spells in the game.
      “It comes down to execution. As captain, I take it on the chin and responsibility missing the penalty.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It is hard to take for sure but I can be proud of the group, proud of each other for what we’ve done.
      “This will hurt for a while but we will dust ourselves down to get ready in the future.” More