- England lost 2-1 to Spain in Berlin, making it 60 years without winning a title
- Manager Gareth Southgate faces an uncertain future but the FA wants him to stay
- LISTEN: Join us as we discuss the MOST IMPORTANT talking points on It’s all just beginning! EUROS DAILY. Available wherever you get your podcasts
Alan Shearer believes England’s painful Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain will be Gareth Southgate’s last game as manager and admitted the loss will “sting”.
The Three Lions’ long wait for a major men’s trophy will now reach 60 years after goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal condemned them to a second successive Euro 2019 defeat in Berlin last night.
Substitute Cole Palmer had levelled for Southgate’s side but Oyarzabal scored the dramatic winner four minutes from time.
There has been rapid speculation about whether the England manager will remain in his post. His contract expires at the end of the year, but, as reported by Sports mailThe Football Association wants him to stay for the 2026 World Cup.
After the match, Southgate insisted 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 resign as England manager
The Three Lions suffered a painful 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin
Shearer has admitted that defeat and failure to win a trophy once again will “hurt” Southgate
“I suspect he might say ‘move on’,” said Shearer, speaking during the BBC’s live coverage. “I suspect it will be Southgate’s last game.
“At home there will be a big disappointment. Yes, we could have played more attacking football, but they have reached the final.
“When you’re here, you have to cross the line.”
Shearer added: ‘The reality is he took us to a final three years ago[at Euro 2020]and he took us to a final here, and he hasn’t won.
“That will hurt him and he might think it’s time to look for someone else.”
Southgate insisted he did not want to reflect on his future so soon after the final.
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal for Spain four minutes from time
A dejected Southgate insisted he did not want to consider his future so soon after the final but plans to hold talks before making a decision.
“I need to talk to the right people,” he said. “It’s not time for now.”
“It’s difficult 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 couldn’t do it.
“England are in a very good position in terms of the experience they have now and the age of their squad. This squad will be there at 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, they’ve represented the jersey with pride, they were never beaten until five minutes into the last game.
“We didn’t keep the ball well, they had more control.”