BBC pundit Alan Shearer thinks Gareth Southgate could have decided to leave his role as England coach before Euro 2024 and admits he “wasn’t surprised” to see the 53-year-old walk away.

Southgate guided the Three Lions to the final of the European Championship in Germany but ultimately came up short as his team were defeated 2-1 by Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin.

The 53-year-old was heavily scrutinised throughout the tournament as a result of England’s performances and the Three Lions boss showed signs of the criticism getting to him, which had never been seen before.

Although England have been a pragmatic team over the last eight years, it has been a very successful period for the nation having reached two Euros finals and a World Cup semi-final.

BBC pundit Alan Shearer has been full of praise for Southgate following his decision to walk away from the England job and also thinks that the former Middlesborough boss could have decided his future before Euro 2024 had the Three Lions done well.

Did Gareth Southgate decide to leave England before Euro 2024?

Follwing the news of Southgate’s departure, Shearer shared his thoughts on the 53-year-old to the BBC, saying: “I wasn’t surprised. Maybe he made his mind up before the tournament if England were to go on and win it.

“What I do know is that he should be applauded for everything that he has done. He has taken England from rock bottom after that Iceland result in 2016 to a semi-final and finals.

“We said during this Euros they might not have played as well as they could have, but the atmosphere he has created helped them through to another final.

“In the bigger picture, Gareth should be applauded for everything he has done with England. The expectation is now you have to get to finals and win trophies.”

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It is likely that Southgate decided to leave England before Euro 2024 had the tournament gone well and reaching the final was a success for the Three Lions, especially given the way they played in Germany.

Southgate cannot take this group any further than he already has and his decision to walk away is the right one as he leaves very solid foundations behind for the new coach to build on.

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Alan Shearer believes England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final will mark the end of Gareth Southgate’s time in charge of the national team. 

England’s 58-year wait for a major international trophy goes on as Mikel Oyarzabal delivered the title for La Roja in the 86th minute, just 13 minutes after Cole Palmer had cancelled out Nico Williams’ opener.

Despite another memorable tournament run, England rarely lived up to their potential in Germany, winning just two of their seven matches in normal time, including needing extra time to beat Slovakia in the last 16 and penalties to get past Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

And in reality, the Three Lions were outclassed for large parts of Sunday’s final by Spain, who controlled 65% of possession and completed 489 passes to just 229 from England, while winning in the xG stakes 1.77 – 0.55.

The improvement in the England national team under Southgate is there for all to see. The former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa centre-back has taken the Three Lions from Euro 2016 embarrassment to Iceland to back-to-back European Championship finals, the 2018 World Cup semi-final and the 2018/19 Uefa Nations League semi-finals.

However, failure to deliver a trophy from any of those near misses has left many wondering if Southgate has taken England as far as he can.

Indeed, Shearer believes it might be time for a change.

“I suspect it will be Southgate’s last game,” the former Newcastle United striker — who scored 30 goals in 63 caps for England during his playing days — told BBC One following Sunday’s final.

“From where he took over and where they are now. There will be great disappointment at home. Yes, we could have played more attacking football but they have got to the final. But when you are here, you have got to get over the line.

“The reality is he got us to a final three years ago and got us to a final here, and hasn’t won. That will hurt him and maybe he will think it’s time for someone else.”

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Alan Shearer has hailed the opening performance of Luke Shaw with the Manchester United defender making his first start of the tournament in an England jersey.

Gareth Southgate surprised many fans by dropping Kieran Trippier for Sunday’s final and replacing him with the returning Shaw at left back.

The Manchester United defender has been out since February, only playing twice since with both appearances coming from the bench, first against Switzerland and then against Netherlands in the final.

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Although there were questions about his overall match sharpness, these were quickly cast aside inside the opening 20 minutes as he won the ball several times against Lamine Yamal.

Spain started the game off by dominating the ball with Nico Williams running Kyle Walker to the byline several times but the Three Lions clawed their way into the game.

Speaking on the BBC, Shearer hailed Shaw for winning ‘absolutely everything’ against arguably the player of the tournament so far.

“Luke Shaw has looked good at the start of this match. He has won absolutely everything.” He said via the BBC.

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Rio Ferdinand has praised Barcelona and Spain wonderkid Lamine Yamal’s composure and decision-making following Tuesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final.

La Roja booked their place in Sunday’s final with a 2-1 comeback win over France in Munich, with Yamal netting a wonderful equaliser to become the youngest goalscorer in European Championships history.

• Spain 2-1 France Euro 2024 player ratings: Yamal makes history as ex-Chelsea man’s tournament record ends
• 10 key stats from Spain 2-1 France: Yamal makes history & Kolo Muani joins Real Madrid legend

Not turning 17 until Saturday — a day before the final in Berlin — Yamal has turned in several eye-catching performances at these Euros and is now the heavy favourite to be named Young Player of the Tournament.

That, of course, is fresh from playing 50 games for Barcelona and winning the La Liga U23 Player of the Season award in 2023/24.

But more than his moments of magic or the stunning goal to help beat France, former England and Manchester United centre-back Ferdinand has been most impressed with Yamal’s ‘simplicity’ and decision-making.

“Yamal plays like someone who has been playing for a long time. He makes the right decisions in the right moments,” Ferdinand said following Tuesday’s semi-final, speaking as a pundit on BBC One.

“The simplicity with which he plays, it is so rare. Normally you come in and you’re trying to prove yourself and you try too hard.

“He always makes the right decision.”

Alan Shearer urges Yamal caution

While the buzz around Yamal is understandable given how rare it is to see a 16-year-old compete so comfortably at the highest level, it’s also important he is given space.

According to ex-Newcastle United and England striker Shearer, Yamal will need to be prepared to come under the spotlight, given the high standards he’s already set.

Shearer said: “The demands and pressures that will be put on him are going to be huge because he has an incredible ability.”

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Alan Shearer believes the timing of Gareth Southgate’s substitutions made all the difference in England’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland on Saturday.

Despite a new system and improved performance, the Three Lions still didn’t find their true attacking rhythm and were forced all the way to spot-kicks after Bukayo Saka sealed a 1-1 comeback draw in normal time.

But England went on to record a perfect shootout, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all firing home, while Jordan Pickford’s save to deny Manuel Akanji helped seal a 5-3 win.

Shearer lauds Southgate’s penalty approach

Although this was England’s third win in four shootouts under Southgate, it was their first attempt since losing the Euro 2020 final from the spot against Italy.

Demons have been banished and according to Shearer, the difference was Southgate bringing the likes of Palmer, Alexander-Arnold and Toney off the bench earlier, giving them a chance to get into the game before taking a penalty.

By contrast, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford both missed in the Euro 2020 final shootout having had just four touches of the ball combined after coming on as late substitutes.

“Relief is the first thing I feel whenever England win any penalty shootout but for our players against Switzerland on Saturday, it did not seem to be a problem,” former Newcastle and England striker Shearer — an expert from the spot himself during his playing days, netting 45 spot-kicks for the Magpies alone — wrote in his column for BBC Sport.

“Pressure? What pressure. They all put away perfect penalties, and it was wonderful to watch.

“Gareth deserves a lot of credit for that, because you have to bear in mind what happened in the final of the last European Championship, when we lost a shootout against Italy three years ago.

“That night, he did not make changes to bring his takers on quickly enough. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho only came on in the final seconds of extra-time, and both of them missed from the spot.

“This time, I thought Gareth’s timing of bringing on Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold with a few minutes left gave them enough time to be settled down for the shootout, as they both showed when they stepped up.

What it means! ???? pic.twitter.com/PEJe77dyV8

— England (@England) July 6, 2024

“Whenever I watch a shootout, I feel sorry for the players because I have been there and I know how hard it is, but England’s players made it look easy.

“A big part of that is down to Gareth getting them ready for this situation. He’s been there and missed a penalty, at Euro ’96, so he knows what it feels like as a player to step up under that kind of pressure, and, as a manager, he knows the right preparation is absolutely key to dealing with it.

“He has given them a plan, and they stuck to it and did exactly what they had been practising.

“Look at Cole Palmer. He had not started an England game until six weeks ago – now all of a sudden, he is stepping up first in a European Championship quarter-final with around 20 million people watching back home, and he just sticks it away like he is playing with his mates in the park.”

England must now prepare for their third major tournament semi-final and fourth semi-final in total under Southgate, taking on the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday.

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England are getting ready to face Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal.

The Three Lions overcame Slovakia in the Round of 16, albeit after a scare but thanks to goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, England have made it to the final eight of the competition.

Their performances have not been up to the standards expected from the world class England players.

However, they have managed to get results in their favour so far.

Against Switzerland, they will come up against a competitive side who knocked out defending champions Italy in the previous round.

England’s performances and selection have come under scrutiny this summer with Southgate being the subject of conversation.

Former England striker and football pundit Alan Shearer has now joined the discussion about the England team and he wants Southgate to make two changes for their quarterfinal clash.

Shearer wants Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer to start over Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.

He told Betfair, as reported by Metro:

‘I can see what Gareth Southgate is trying to do, but I would much prefer if we were more balanced on the left hand side, hence me wanting Anthony Gordon on that side because I don’t think the Phil Foden thing has worked there.

‘I understand they are unbalanced because of Kieran Trippier having to play at left-back, he’s going to have to change again because Guehi is suspended.

‘Whether he thinks it is right then to change the system we don’t know. I would be surprised if he did.

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‘I think Phil Foden has been unlucky, he hasn’t looked comfortable in the system England want to play. That left hand side hasn’t looked right, we haven’t got in behind anywhere near enough on that side.

‘His game is he wants to come inside and someone comes on the overlap. That’s been difficult for England to do with the lack of a left footer in Trippier. So, he has been unlucky.

‘But he is going to have to make changes because they haven’t played well. I know they’ve won and they’ve got through but they were lucky.

‘England got lucky the other night, they are into the quarter-finals, they haven’t played well. That has to be a positive because I’m sure that things can only get better.’

There has been a lot of speculation in the media about what Southgate is going to do in the upcoming match.

England boss does not know his best XI

He has made a lot of changes in the midfield with Trent Alexander-Arnold starting the tournament then losing his place to Conor Gallagher, who eventually lost his place to Kobbie Mainoo.

It remains to be seen if the latest reports of Southgate deploying a back three in the defense are true or not.

Now as the tournament is about to reach the business end, there is no room for error and England would have to be at their best if they are to beat this disciplined Swiss side.

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BBC pundit Alan Shearer believes that Jude Bellingham’s goal against Slovakia may be the moment that sparks England’s Euro 2024 hopes ahead of their quarter-final clash with Switzerland on Saturday. 

The Real Madrid star scored a last-minute overhead kick to save the Three Lions from elimination before Harry Kane would net the winner in extra-time.

Gareth Southgate’s men have been terrible so far in Germany and can count themselves very lucky that they are still involved in the tournament. Many have called for the 53-year-old to make changes to his starting 11 as it has not worked for four games now.

The England boss is unlikely to do that, but his team may receive a boost after the manner in which they beat Slovakia and BBC pundit Alan Shearer believes that Bellingham’s goal could “spark” the Three Lions into life in Germany.

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Alan Shearer says Jude Bellingham’s goal could “spark” England’s Euro 2024 hopes

Speaking during BBC’s coverage of Portugal vs Slovenia, Shearer commented on England’s win over Slovakia on Sunday and pinpointed the moment that could “spark” the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 hopes.

“I don’t think we’re saying what anyone is not thinking and seeing at home, you know, in every pub, in every household. They’re not saying that England are flying and that England are playing well,  they’re not, they haven’t played well at all,” the former England striker said.

“But we think that, hopefully, that might just be the spark because that’s all it takes sometimes. That overhead kick and then the Harry Kane goal might just be it.”

Bellingham’s goal was huge for England and with Southgate’s men being on the easy side of the draw, the moment may give them the belief that they can go all the way. It remains to be seen if that is the case but Saturday is the first test of Shearer’s theory as England face a tough Switzerland team.

Will England's last-16 win be the spark they needed?#BBCEuros #Euro2025 pic.twitter.com/jzLDz0x7aA

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 1, 2024

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Alan Shearer believes Gareth Southgate will get serious questions following England’s lacklustre 1-1 draw against Denmark.

England headed into the game knowing a win would see them qualify for the knockout stages, but they turned in a poor display despite taking the lead through Harry Kane.

Southgate’s men sat back and allowed Denmark back into the game, and they equalised through a brilliant strike from Morten Hjulmand, but neither side were able to find a winner.

Shearer concerned for England

Following an indifferent display against Serbia in the opening game many people were expecting an improvement against Denmark, but that simply didn’t happen.

The Three Lions took the lead after good work from Kyle Walker down the right hand side, and his cut back deflected into Kane’s path and he duly applied the finish.

After taking the lead, England like they so often do under Southgate just sat off instead of going for the kill and were punished when no one closed down Hjulmand who fired a superb strike into the corner from outside the box.

England looked lethargic with the team lacking balance particularly in midfield, and Trent Alexander-Arnold was once again subbed off, whilst Kane was also ineffective.

The performance will no doubt lead to questions given the talent at Southgate’s disposal and Shearer feels serious questions will be coming his way.

“Gareth Southgate will get serious questions,” he told BBC Sport.

“You see the players out there, Phil Foden and what he has done all season for Manchester City, Jude Bellingham turning up in the first game and not so much tonight, John Stones and what we have seen him do at club level.

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“There is far more to get out of those players than he is getting at the moment.

“Gareth at the minute is not getting the best out of England’s best players.”

The draw against Denmark means England have still never won their opening two games at a European Championships, and they will have to wait until the final group game against Slovenia on Tuesday to qualify for the knockout stages.

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Alan Shearer believes Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire will ‘be a miss’ for England at the European Championships. 

The Three Lions are preparing for their opening match of the tournament against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, heading to Germany as one of the heavy favourites.

However, for all the attacking firepower at his disposal, Gareth Southgate faces worrying question marks regarding his defensive line-up.

That hasn’t been helped by the absence of Maguire, who was named in the preliminary squad but missed out on the final cut due to a calf injury.

Despite struggling at times for Man Utd, Maguire has proven himself a real leader and steady defensive presence for England, representing his country at three previous major tournaments.

Shearer raises concerns over England defence

According to former England and Newcastle United striker Shearer, England could suffer in both boxes without Maguire, who has previously scored at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, while he won more aerial duels (69) than any other Man Utd player in the Premier League last season.

“My concern is defensively, even if Harry Maguire was in the squad then I would still have one or two concerns. I think he will be a miss in both boxes for and against set pieces,” Shearer told Betfair (via the Mirror).

Shearer also expressed unease at left-back, with Maguire’s Man Utd teammate, Luke Shaw, heading to Germany injured. There are also questions to be answered in finding the best partner for Declan Rice in midfield.

“Luke Shaw isn’t going to be available for the first game or two as well. Defensively there’s a worry but going forward and in midfield they are as good as anywhere,” Shearer continued.

“The one question is, who does he actually play alongside Rice? Does he be brave and put Trent in there?

”If you use Iceland as an example and you go in on the front foot, which I hope he does, I hope he goes ‘we’ve got a great chance of winning this tournament we’re going to go for it, they’re not scared of anyone’, but I also understand that you do need to give that back four a little bit of protection.”

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Newcastle United are pushing to complete the signing of Burnley’s James Trafford this summer and following an underwhelming season in the Premier League, fans of the Magpies have their worries. 

12 months ago, the 21-year-old was a highly-rated goalkeeper having played a huge role in England winning the under-21s’ European Championship. The Burnley star went through the entire tournament without conceding a goal, while saving a 98th-minute penalty against Spain in the final.

Trafford’s stock has dropped since as he experienced a tough season in the Premier League with The Clarets, making several mistakes on the way to the club getting relegated back down to the Championship.

Despite this, Newcastle are looking to sign the 6ft 3in shot-stopper this summer as the two clubs are currently in talks to get a deal done, reports The Athletic.

The transfer has a lot of fans at the Tyneside club worried after what they saw this season from the 21-year-old; however, given his age and past achievements, one bad campaign should not define the Englishman.

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Alan Shearer believes James Trafford has been unfairly treated ahead of potential Newcastle move

Speaking about Trafford on The Rest Is Football podcast earlier this year, Newcastle hero Alan Shearer believes that the goalkeeper was unfairly treated this season given his age.

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