I agree with all you’ve written and said with Josh
I do however feel that squad wise, this is the first time we have had a squad to compete.
2018 our team was crap and overachieved.. and Croatia were far superior
2021 the Italian midfield was far better and would still say we overachieved to make that final with a midfield of rice and kalvin philips who had never played European football
2022 I would say par… good tactics,
Good team, Kane missed the penalty, France had a very good squad
2024… we’ve been absolutely shite. Utterly baffled by Southgate’s approach decision, diversion from his previous strengths etc.
I think the time is right for Southgate to move on and we enter the next tournament as among the favourites again and with expectations higher then ever..
But as Liverpool fans we’ve seen our teams bosed by Madrid, by city, we’ve had moments , roared into leads and seen the class take over the game and just win.
Southgate is no klopp, it’s no comparison.
But I happen to think in 3/4 knock out losses we ended up picked off by much much better midfielders…
And on top of it he was able to go out on his own terms by resigning. Smooth operator.
I thought he did some good work modernizing the program but then really should have been sacked after losing the previous Euro final to Italy.
It was clear then what England had in him. And so upper management should bear some blame too for not getting the most out of this generation of players.
Yeah I thought there was a parallel of sorts with Houllier at Liverpool, bringing the club up to date when it needed it but unable to win the very biggest prizes.
Is Southgate then not better suited to a behind the scenes role? He clearly has a football mind overall, but not one of tactics and courage to win a seven game tournament.
I've been listening to the NTT20 England pod this summer, and their latest episode made the same point, that he should be retained in a sort of overseer role. I suppose it would be 'director of football' but for England, and it would suit him.
Compelling reading, fine work, indelible conclusion!
Thanks!
So… so.
I agree with all you’ve written and said with Josh
I do however feel that squad wise, this is the first time we have had a squad to compete.
2018 our team was crap and overachieved.. and Croatia were far superior
2021 the Italian midfield was far better and would still say we overachieved to make that final with a midfield of rice and kalvin philips who had never played European football
2022 I would say par… good tactics,
Good team, Kane missed the penalty, France had a very good squad
2024… we’ve been absolutely shite. Utterly baffled by Southgate’s approach decision, diversion from his previous strengths etc.
I think the time is right for Southgate to move on and we enter the next tournament as among the favourites again and with expectations higher then ever..
But as Liverpool fans we’ve seen our teams bosed by Madrid, by city, we’ve had moments , roared into leads and seen the class take over the game and just win.
Southgate is no klopp, it’s no comparison.
But I happen to think in 3/4 knock out losses we ended up picked off by much much better midfielders…
And on top of it he was able to go out on his own terms by resigning. Smooth operator.
I thought he did some good work modernizing the program but then really should have been sacked after losing the previous Euro final to Italy.
It was clear then what England had in him. And so upper management should bear some blame too for not getting the most out of this generation of players.
Yeah I thought there was a parallel of sorts with Houllier at Liverpool, bringing the club up to date when it needed it but unable to win the very biggest prizes.
Is Southgate then not better suited to a behind the scenes role? He clearly has a football mind overall, but not one of tactics and courage to win a seven game tournament.
I've been listening to the NTT20 England pod this summer, and their latest episode made the same point, that he should be retained in a sort of overseer role. I suppose it would be 'director of football' but for England, and it would suit him.