- England lost 2-1 to Spain in Berlin, extending their trophyless run to 60 years
- Manager Gareth Southgate faces uncertain future but the FA want him to stay
- LISTEN: Join us as we discuss the BIGGEST topics of conversation It’s all about to begin! EUROS DAILY. Available wherever you get your podcasts
Alan Shearer believes England’s painful defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final will be Gareth Southgate’s last game as manager, admitting the loss will ‘hurt him’.
The Three Lions have had to wait 60 years for a major men’s trophy after they secured a second successive European Championship victory in Berlin last night thanks to goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Substitute Cole Palmer brought Southgate’s side level again, but Oyarzabal dramatically scored the winning goal four minutes from time.
Speculation has been rife as to whether the England head coach will remain in his role, with his contract expiring at the end of the year, but as reported by Post Sportthe football association wants him to stay for the 2026 World Cup.
After the match, Southgate indicated he would take time to consider his position, but Shearer believes his time in the dugout is likely over.
Alan Shearer believes Gareth Southgate will decide to step down as England manager
The Three Lions suffered a painful 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of the 2024 European Championship in Berlin
Shearer has admitted the loss and missing out on another trophy will ‘hurt’ Southgate
“I suspect he’ll say ‘to someone else,'” Shearer said, speaking on the BBC’s live broadcast. “I suspect this will be Southgate’s last game.
‘There will be great disappointment at home. Yes, we could have played more attacking football, but they reached the final.
‘When you get here, you have to cross the border.’
Shearer added: ‘The reality is he took us to the final three years ago (at Euro 2020) and he has taken us to the final now but he hasn’t won it.
“That will hurt him and maybe he will think it’s time for someone else.”
Southgate insisted he did not want to think about his future so soon after the last game.
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal for Spain four minutes from time
Southgate was discouraged and said he did not want to think about his future so soon after the final, but he wanted to talk to him before making a decision.
“I need to talk to the right people,” he said. “That’s not for now.”
‘It’s hard to reflect so soon after a defeat like this. Taking England to two finals has never been done before, but we came here to win and we didn’t manage to do that.
‘England are in a really good position in terms of the experience they have now and the age of the squad. This squad will be there for the next World Cup. There is a lot to look forward to, but that is no consolation.’
He then laid bare his emotions, adding: ‘I’m devastated for everyone, the players have been incredible, I’m so proud. I’m proud of the way they’ve fought, represented the shirt with pride, never been beaten until five minutes into the last game.
‘We didn’t keep the ball well enough, they had more control.’