Claiming Your Bonus: A Step-by-Step Guide
Matthew Southgate makes a superb eagle during the BMW International Open final round in Munich, following his namesake Gareth Southgate’s success in leading England to the Euro 2024 semi-finals in Germany.
England’s prospects looked bleak when Breel Embolo poked in Switzerland’s 75th-minute opening goal in Dusseldorf. Gareth Southgate, overseeing his 100th game in charge of the national side, was staring at the very real possibility of it being his last.
Later, in the warm glow of victory, he would talk up the performance as England’s best of the tournament so far. But at that point, a goal down with 15 minutes to go, his side were yet to even muster a shot on target. Improved, maybe, but with little to show for it.
As in the last-16 against Slovakia, though, when Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick forced extra-time, England only needed one to make the breakthrough, Bukayo Saka the scorer this time as his stunning strike, having cut inside from the right, crashed in off the post.
It felt like he had got Southgate out of jail. This, even more than Bellingham’s goal against Slovakia, came out of nothing; a flash of individual brilliance in another blunt collective display.
But it should be noted, too, that it would not have occurred at all had his manager heeded widespread calls to move Saka to the left rather than persist with him on his preferred side.
So, did Southgate get lucky or does he deserve credit?
Maybe both things are true. Maybe it doesn’t matter anyway. The key point, after all, is that, following a penalty shootout in which the coolness of England’s takers bore stark contrast to the nerves of those watching, they are in the last four, the dream still alive.
Fans are entitled to wonder, though, why, as Switzerland boss Murat Yakin made early changes, Embolo’s opener arriving roughly 10 minutes after the introductions of Steven Zuber and Silvan Widmer, Southgate again delayed, not making his first substitutions until England had fallen behind.
This apparent inertia has become a feature not just of this tournament but Southgate’s tenure as a whole. And yet, as against Slovakia, when he himself admitted Ivan Toney’s displeasure at only being sent on in stoppage time, it all worked out in the end.
Southgate could point to Toney’s role in Harry Kane’s extra-time winner in that game. Against Switzerland, he can point to the fact that, in Cole Palmer, Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold, three of his substitutes, once they finally made it on, scored in the shootout.
Should it be this difficult? Southgate has been at pains to point out that performances and playing style only count for so much at major tournaments. But England, while successful to this point, have made the supposedly easy side of the draw look anything but.
For all their attacking talent, they remain oddly listless in front of goal. England are semi-finalists and yet they rank 12th among the 26 teams at the tournament for shots on target, below four sides who played fewer games. They rank in the same place for expected goals.
The numbers look even less inspiring when taking the two knockout ties in isolation. England have generated chances worth a meagre combined total of 2.18 xG despite twice going to extra-time. Their three goals have come from only five shots on target in 240 minutes of action plus stoppage time.
England have only won one of their five games in 90 minutes and even that, the 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opening group fixture, felt like a struggle after a promising start. Most fans would agree it has felt like a struggle watching the subsequent games too.
At times, Southgate has seemingly floundered.
His Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment was abandoned after two games. The chosen replacement, Conor Gallagher, only lasted 45 minutes of the goalless draw against Slovenia.
Some of his consistent calls, such as his continued use of Kieran Trippier on the left and his persistence with an out-of-sorts Kane up front, have invited even more scrutiny.
Ultimately, though, for Southgate, and regardless of what happens next, England’s presence in the last four represents a continuation of a fine record at World Cups and European Championships.
England have never previously reached the quarter-finals of four consecutive major tournaments, as they have under Southgate. This is the third time he has led them to a semi-final. There is frustration that silverware is yet to arrive but his achievements already outstrip those of his more illustrious predecessors.
His in-game decision-making remains an area of concern and it will be more sternly tested by a stronger opponent in the Netherlands. But England’s coolly-dispatched penalties underlined the quality of their preparation and the manner in which their mentality has been overhauled. Another late comeback showed their spirit.
Southgate has issues to address and questions to answer but he is responsible for that preparation. He has fostered that spirit.
This England side are far from perfect. The truth is they have progressed to the last four in spite of their performances rather than because of them. But they are there, with a chance of going further. Southgate will make it to 101 games as a minimum.
Gareth Southgate hailed England’s character after what he described as their best performance of Euro 2024 in the quarter-final penalty shootout win against Switzerland.
Bukayo Saka cancelled out Breel Embolo’s opener to take the game to extra-time and onto penalties where Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all scored and Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s opening effort for the Swiss as England reached the semi-finals.
It was a dramatic end to an edgy encounter and England’s first shoot-out win since beating the Swiss in the Nations League third-placed play-off five years ago in Portugal.
“I just thought the players were brilliant. It’s the best we have played,” Southgate told the BBC after the win.
“I thought we caused them a lot of problems. They are a really good side. They are hard to press, they are hard to defend against, their movement is good.
“To come from behind again and show the character and resilience we did, talking to the players about that, winning tournaments isn’t just about playing well. It’s not just about that. You’ve got to show other attributes to win and we showed them all tonight.
“We played well today and we had to be tactically spot on. I don’t know what people think of us but we are in a third semi-final, so that says a lot about the group.
“We knew we needed to get pressure on their back three and that’s not easy without changing the shape. I thought the players were disciplined with it.
“I thought Phil was a real problem for them to pick up, Kobbie and Jude were finding those gaps on the side of their block. I thought we had good control. For some of the balls into the box, we probably needed more men in the box, but l thought it was the best that we have played.”
Saka missed the decisive penalty in the final of the last Euros against Italy at Wembley Stadium in 2021 as England fell just short in this competition last time around.
On Saka stepping up to take a penalty in the shootout and scoring this time, Southgate said: “So brave. He is one of our best, so we were never in any question that he was going to take one. But we all know what he went through.
“To deliver as he did…. But not just him, Trent and Ivan, to come on and take them as they did; Cole, he’s like an old man in the way he is fearless. So a huge result for us, a huge performance, and we’re still in it.
“We played well today and we had to be tactically spot on. I don’t know what people think of us but we are in a third semi-final, so that says a lot about the group.”
England would not be celebrating a place in the last four without Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal forward, England’s most dangerous player throughout the contest, scored a stunning equaliser during a player-of-the-match performance in Dusseldorf.
Even more impressive, though, was his willingness to then step up and take one of England’s penalties in the shootout, only three years after the miss that proved so costly in the final of Euro 2020. Not only that, he converted it too, demonstrating his quality and mettle to help England get over the line.
England stayed cool from the penalty spot to secure a place in the semi-finals at Euro 2024 – one man, a Starboy, stood head and shoulders above the rest.
England advanced to the semi-finals as Jordan Pickford’s save from Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick proved decisive following a 1-1 draw where Bukayo Saka found his spark.
Here, Sky Sports rates the England players and you too can rate all of them below…
Faultless whenever called upon in an England jersey although Xherdan Shaqiri’s cheeky effort that cannoned off the bar almost gave him his England goalkeeper gaffe moment. Revelled in the theatrics of the penalty shootout, denying Manuel Akanji.
Had one of his worst nights for England in the win over Slovakia but looked back to his reliable form in an England shirt. Kept it too safe with his play at times.
Only five caps but has already faced the challenge of Jeremy Doku and Vinicius Jnr in friendlies with England playing out of position at left-back, so this challenge didn’t look to faze him. Headed clear a dangerous cross early on and made another great block from Breel Embolo after 24 minutes. Handled the dangerous striker admirably but was harshly undone for the opening goal.
His missed clearance was a big factor in this match as Embolo slipped in to score – maybe harsh as otherwise he played with great assurance but this is the reality of knockout football.
Skinned by Dan Ndoye in a sprint in the first 10 minutes which looked ominous but he never got isolated again. Streetwise performance yet again from a player clearly playing out of position.
The Starboy.
Starting as the right-wing back to many raised eyebrows, Saka vindicated Gareth Southgate’s decision to play him down that flank as he tore Michel Aebischer apart one-on-one. His three crosses in the first half, on another day, could have led to three goals. Aebischer was dribbled past five times in the first half, the joint most by a player in a match at Euro 2024.
This was the Saka we see week-in-week-out at Arsenal, epitomised by his super-cool goal and immense penalty in the shootout.
This was redemption. A performance for the ages.
The rock of this England team. Showed up early with a great interception to set up a counter and continued to boss the midfield. As with most of his game, his long-range shooting is improving as Yann Sommer denied an expert effort from 30 yards in extra-time. Immense.
The second youngest England player at 19 years and 78 days old to start a major tournament quarter-final match and floated around like a devilishly talented operator, especially in the first half. Made a very important and underrated early clearance, played with the required hustle and bustle in midfield up against some senior opponents and broke the lines with some intelligent gliding runs. Faded after the break.
Looked fitter and more powerful than we’ve seen at this tournament – like the Real Madrid version of Bellingham. That was emphasised by a rainbow flick to skip away before an impeccable switch of play in the first half. A couple of balls dropped his way that might’ve had his name on but the Swiss blocked well to deny him.
There was no doubt when he stepped up in the shootout.
The shackles of playing on the left side of a team playing with no width were released and he looked far more comfortable darting in central areas. Pressed well out of possession. But yet again, failed to truly influence the game in the big moments.
Sluggish at times with his hold-up play. Seriously caught on his heels from a deadly Saka cross in the first half and just looked a yard off the pace throughout. Departed in extra-time, absolutely legless.
Cole Palmer (On for Ezri Konsa) – 7
Added energy and extra forward thinking with the ball. Stepped up first in the shootout, setting the tone for perfection.
Eberechi Eze (On for Kobbie Mainoo) – 7
Is having to learn on the job how to play left-wing back. Dragged a good opening wide after gliding into space down the left.
Luke Shaw (On for Kieran Trippier) – 8
The first sighting of him at this tournament. It was a welcome one. Two outstanding clearances in central areas towards the end of the second half, showcasing his ability to play as the third centre-back. Another fine clearance in extra-time.
Ivan Toney (On for Harry Kane) – 7
The no-look penalty was delivered on the international stage.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (On for Phil Foden) – 7
His best moment in an England shirt. A stunning penalty to win a shootout and to send a country potty.
His 100th match in charge of the England national team – the third manager to reach that milestone. Deserves praise for isolating the Swiss down the England right with the starboy Saka. Was a little reactive rather than proactive with his substitutions but got them right eventually. And to prepare his penalty takers with such confidence and aplomb deserves a huge amount of praise. He is still the one.
England manager Gareth Southgate says left-back Luke Shaw is fit to start their Euro 2024 quarter-final versus Switzerland and he was also full of praise for the job Kieran Trippier has done in Shaw’s absence.
Gareth Southgate is preparing to rip up the plans he has used so far at Euro 2024 and radically change England’s formation in an attempt to get more width from his side and put more of his best players in their best positions.
For Saturday’s quarter-final with Switzerland, England are likely to switch to three centre-backs for the first time in a competitive match since the Euro 2020 final against Italy three years ago – and it may mean Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden both playing as No 10s.
That is one of the options that Southgate has been experimenting with in training where, Sky Sports News has been told, he has tried various formations and various players slotted into the different roles.
It is clear the England boss is still undecided about who will occupy central midfield alongside Declan Rice – a key decision if England are not to be overrun in that department against Switzerland in Saturday’s quarter-final.
The planned change of formation seems driven by two factors: the suspension of Marc Guehi, who has been England’s most consistent defender in the tournament so far, and the fact that privately, Southgate has accepted that what he has tried so far in Germany has seen his players perform at way below their best.
Kieran Trippier‘s availability, after concerns about his minor calf problem and the heavy knock to his knee that he picked up against Slovakia, could yet mean Southgate has a change of heart, and returns to a flat back four. But that is not currently an option in training, Sky Sports News understands.
The three centre-backs look set to be John Stones, Ezri Konsa and Kyle Walker – with Walker’s pace seen as the ideal foil to sweep around the back, if Switzerland break through the England defence.
But Southgate has yet to decide who will play as wing-backs, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka, Trippier – and even Eberechi Eze – possibilities to play in those roles. Luke Shaw‘s inclusion has also not been ruled out.
If, as expected, Southgate does switch to three centre-backs, it is not clear whether England’s formation will be 3-4-3, 3-5-2 or even 3-4-2-1 – with Bellingham and Foden in the creative roles behind Harry Kane. It is thought Southgate has tried all of those formations in training in Blankenhain in the build-up to the game.
How best to accommodate Bellingham is becoming a key conundrum. In many ways, he is England’s best player, but also Southgate’s biggest problem.
Southgate could ask him to play deeper than he has done all season for Real Madrid – as a ‘No 8’ rather than a No 10 – but there are concerns that having not played in the role for so long, he may not have the positional discipline to make it effective defensively.
There is also a risk that if you give both Bellingham and Foden a free role, they may take up each others’ space and make the same runs – which has been a problem already in this tournament when Foden has drifted in from the left wing.
The other option under consideration, according to sources, is to play either Kobbie Mainoo or Conor Gallagher in a ‘number 6’ role alongside Declan Rice. This would provide the two defensive midfield buffers that have been a common theme of Southgate’s time as England manager, but it will limit the number of offensively-minded players on the pitch.
The other option, which would line up in a 3-5-2 formation, would include Ivan Toney alongside Kane up front.
Toney impressed Southgate with his performance in extra time in Gelsenkirchen – setting up Kane for the eventual winner. He also held the ball up well and gave England an outlet when they were under pressure in defence – something that has been lacking somewhat, with the England captain dropping deeper in many of the games so far in order to try to influence the play.
Either way, it seems inevitable that the large stall of wingers in Southgate’s squad will be redundant against Switzerland – each of the systems the England coach is considering has width provided by the wing-backs, rather than by more advanced wide-men.
That means Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen are likely to find it difficult to get any game-time in the quarter-final, with Cole Palmer an option at number 10, most likely off the bench.
Depending on how the game progresses, however, Southgate has the personnel to switch to a back four, or any of his other formation options, and utilise the players on the bench. The England boss has made bold substitutions in the games so far, switching players at half-time or early in the second half.
When it comes to the wing-backs, Southgate has plenty of options, but none that have played in that role recently for their clubs. Saka is the biggest conundrum – having told the media in the lead-up to the last-16 game that he didn’t want to switch to full-back.
Nevertheless, he did that for a short period in the chaos of extra-time against Slovakia, and he may well be asked to do so again on Saturday. He will most probably be asked to switch wings, from right wing to left wing-back.
Southgate hasn’t yet ruled out the possibility of Shaw starting at left wing-back, I am told – even though that would be a huge risk, with the Manchester United defender having played no competitive football for almost five months.
It is thought Shaw is desperate to play, and feels he is fit and ready to do so, after having no reaction from a clear week of training. Southgate has yet to decide whether his inclusion from the start for the quarter-final is a risk worth taking. He also needs to decide whether he is prepared to sacrifice Saka in the process.
On the right, it is a straight choice between Alexander-Arnold and Trippier, both of whom could be asked to perform the more natural role they play for Liverpool and Newcastle respectively.
England had a closed training session on Thursday, away from the cameras, but it is thought Southgate was preparing to fine-tune some of his new positional plans in that time.
The England manager usually tells his players his final starting XI on the night before a game, and so there is still much to be decided.
But it is clear – after much clamour for change from pundits and fans outside the camp – Southgate is now planning a radical re-shuffle, as his team heads into a major quarter-final.
England will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Dusseldorf in a 5pm kick-off, UK time.
Were England to beat Switzerland and reach the last four, then they would then play in a semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday July 10; kick off 8pm UK time.
Netherlands and Turkey are the possible semi-final opponents for the Three Lions. The final is in Berlin on Sunday July 14; kick-off 8pm UK time.
Gareth Southgate will make his century. It is an incredible achievement. But Southgate will reach the landmark on the back of a streaky forward-defensive that snicked the edge of his bat, and just evaded the wicketkeeper.
Southgate invited Ben Stokes to talk to the squad in their pre-tournament training camp in County Durham. Cricket is one of the England manager’s favourite sports. And the analogy is apt. Because – just as it is with many centuries scored in Test cricket – Southgate’s England innings has had elements of brilliance, and some moments of good fortune too.
The victory over Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen was certainly Southgate’s biggest stroke of luck in his almost eight years as manager.
England were dreadful for 95 minutes. They didn’t manage a shot on target in that entire time, after Southgate had stubbornly resisted any call to make significant changes to his starting XI, or to his game plan, for the fourth match in a row.
It was England’s worst performance of the tournament so far, and that is quite a statement. They are going backwards, when the aim was to peak for the business end of the competition.
I have been saying since before the Euros started that Jude Bellingham is exhausted. It is so, so obvious in every game that he plays. He did nothing against Slovakia. Right up until he did “that”.
It was a moment of sheer brilliance that very few players in world football could manage at any stage in a game, let alone so deep into injury time when your nation is on the verge of exit and ignominy. It is the latest goal England have ever scored in a major tournament, before extra-time.
That moment of mesmeric magic didn’t just save Southgate’s blushes, it saved him from the darkest stain on his England legacy. Had England lost in Gelsenkirchen, it would have – without doubt – been the final act of Southgate’s custodianship. He would have been 99 and out. And his tenure would have come to an end with England unable to match any of their achievements in his previous three tournaments. World Cup semi-final, Euros final, World Cup quarter-final, remember. As it is, whatever happens next, Southgate will be able to walk away from this job knowing the minimum he ever managed with England was a quarter-final. That’s impressive.
It may explain why it seemed a much more breezy Gareth Southgate I saw in the Arena AufSchalke after the game. He was berated by some England fans as he left the pitch after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia, and attacked unforgivably with empty plastic beer cups as he walked down the tunnel. I know that hurt him. He says publicly that he has broad enough shoulders to take all that is thrown at him. “Target me, not the players,” has been his message to supporters. But the truth is that Southgate is a proud and sensitive man, one who strives to please, and someone who desperately wants to win a major trophy for the nation.
I saw him leave the Mixed Zone media area in the bowels of the stadium, and make his way to the team bus with a big smile on his face and a spring in his step. Joking with his media advisers. It was almost as if he knows the pressure has lifted a tiny bit with that win, and that England can only gain more support, the further they progress from here.
Without doubt, England and Southgate could seize that special, tournament-defining moment from Bellingham to galvanise the nation, and the squad, and push them on to new heights in this European Championships. How many times has there been one, singular incident for a team in a tournament when every football lover from the broad spectrum of footballing nations says: “Their name is on the trophy.” That might well be what many non-English fans are thinking right now. It’s certainly what the petrol station attendant told me at 2am as we stopped for fuel on our way back from Gelsenkirchen. “Lucky, lucky England!” he said. “You will win now!”
That Bellingham goal could be England’s moment. It will be remembered as one of the most iconic England goals of the last few decades. Because of its brilliance, because of its importance, and because of its timeliness. It ranks alongside David Platt’s volley against Belgium in Italia ’90. Gazza’s volley against Scotland and the dentist chair celebration in Euro ’96. Michael Owen’s brilliant solo effort against Argentina in the World Cup of 1998. It could be the one moment we all look back upon and say “that’s when it turned.”
But it can only be so if Southgate realises his plan has failed spectacularly for four matches. Only if he is prepared to jettison some stellar names who have repeatedly under-performed, and turn to the understudies. What is the point of understudies if not to replace the primary actors when they are under-performing? The main men have had four games, and none of those team performances has impressed. If England are to capitalise on Bellingham’s majesty, the England manager has to rip up his tournament philosophy and start again.
Southgate said in his post-match interviews that it is for moments like that you leave your game-changers on the pitch. He told the BBC: “With 15 minutes to go, you wonder if he is out on his feet. Him and Harry Kane produce those moments and that is why you don’t make changes when people are clamouring for more changes.”
In essence, he is correct. If Jude Bellingham wasn’t at this tournament, England would have been knocked out after three tame draws in the group stages (he got the winning goal against Serbia, in England’s only victory). If Southgate had substituted him before we got to injury time in Gelsenkirchen, England would have been going home now with their tails firmly between their legs.
But for me, Southgate’s reasoning misses the key point. If England weren’t relying so heavily on Bellingham, maybe they would have played much, much better as a team and been well ahead in the game, and so wouldn’t have needed the Real Madrid star’s spectacular act of salvation.
Before the game, I’d called for Bellingham to be rested. Not dropped – rested. Because if you look at his statistics, and just study his body language and impact on games, it is so clear to everyone he is burned out. The game against Slovakia was his 106th in two seasons, and it was the day after his 21st birthday. He is exhausted. Rest him, bring him back in the even more important games to come, was my reasoning. That decision may yet be forced on Southgate for the quarter-final, depending on the outcome of the UEFA disciplinary proceedings that have been issued against England’s matchwinner.
Harry Kane, similarly, is still miles away from full match sharpness. The captain is a special case, and has scored two goals in two games, and so will – correctly – be given special dispensation to continue. But it was a stark reminder of what England have been missing in his game right now, when Ivan Toney came on for his major tournament bow. With Kane regularly trying to drop deep to influence the game, then often unable to get back into the box when crosses come in, Toney was a stark contrast. He acted like a traditional number 9 who leads the line. When England were under the cosh, he held the ball up, ran the channels, and won several free-kicks on halfway with his back to goal, as the England defence made desperate clearances.
Southgate told the media Toney wasn’t happy with him at all when it was suggested he come on in the 94th minute, with England 1-0 down. To be fair, it proved to be a crucial substitution because it was the Brentford striker who set up the Harry Kane winner, 50 seconds into extra-time. It is easy for the manager to justify sticking with the same players when they are playing and winning well. It is much more difficult for Southgate to explain to his substitutes why they are being overlooked when the “first team” is underperforming.
So what changes should Southgate make? Kieran Trippier is a brilliant defender and a reliable and indefatigable character. He has played well out here, but the lack of a left-footed option anywhere on England’s left flank is so obviously crippling. Trippier hobbled off against Slovakia and so may not be fit to face Switzerland. He is still nursing a calf injury, remember. But Southgate must abandon any plans of playing Luke Shaw in this tournament. He isn’t fit. He shouldn’t have travelled to Germany. Southgate admitted it was a gamble, and it hasn’t paid off.
That’s not Southgate’s fault – he gave Shaw every chance to prove his fitness. His natural ability in the position, both going forward and defensively, would have been a big asset. But he hasn’t played a minute of football since mid-February, and he cannot be risked now, in a Euros quarter-final, almost five months later.
Nevertheless, England desperately need a left-footer on the left side of defence, and on the left side of their attack. I think they need a right-footed option on the right wing, too. Of England’s four wide options in the starting XI so far, only Kyle Walker is playing on the same flank as his favoured kicking foot. As a result, England are so narrow, and so easy to defend against. Denmark, Slovenia and Slovakia have all been able to prepare for an England side that never looks to go wide, run past them along the wing, get in behind their defence, stretch the full-backs. And so it will be for Switzerland, unless Southgate changes things.
There has been no element of surprise, no real threat. England have been predictable, and impotent. They have tried to beat the low block with intricate passes in the congested centre of the final third. They have scored three goals in four games, in normal time. Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen – all wait patiently in the wings.
England rescued their tournament after they abandoned any game plan, and threw the kitchen sink at Slovakia. When it worked, they then had a major problem because they had to face an extra 30 minutes with the most lop-sided, shapeless England XI I have ever seen. They had four wingers on the pitch, with Ebere Eze playing left-back, and two strikers up top.
The manager and players deserve huge credit for seeing the game out, after Kane gave them the lead, in the midst of the chaos. Conor Gallagher – still licking his wounds after being dispensed with at half-time in his first start at a major tournament (against Slovenia) – was called upon to stiffen the midfield. He did that. And every player ran for their lives in extra-time, as the stunned Slovakia team threw everything at them.
The defence has been a shining success in the four games so far. The fact that Marc Guehi – England’s most consistent player throughout – is suspended for Switzerland, is a real worry. He has been the epitome of calm and class that England have needed. Ezri Konsa is likely to deputise on Saturday, and he is a very decent replacement.
But England’s problems elsewhere pre-date this tournament. England have won just two of their last nine matches in normal time. Two wins in nine. That is dreadful form, and certainly doesn’t suggest they are trophy-contenders. It is the worst run of form under Southgate for 24 months.
If that isn’t evidence enough that Southgate’s game plan isn’t working, I don’t know what is. This is not a Southgate-bashing exercise. I think history will judge him very kindly. He is England’s most successful manager, after Sir Alf Ramsey. He has gone closer than any other England manager since 1966 to ending the traumatising trophy drought. He has made the atmosphere in camp so enjoyable, the very best players want to play for their country again. That has not always been the case. And he has made the English nation proud of the vibrant, diverse, and likeable team that represents them.
I feel Southgate may yet be able to give the nation what they want during this, his final tournament. But only if he makes significant changes.
The good news is England have time to come up with a new plan. It is six days after that draining experience in Gelsenkirchen before they face Switzerland in Düsseldorf. It will take the squad two days to recover. They will have the whole of Tuesday off, and have some time with their families. I’m told they are all – even those who didn’t get on the pitch – exhausted by the emotional trauma and then the elation of it all.
They flew back from Gelsenkirchen to their base in Blankenhain, but didn’t get into their beds until after 1am. But we have already been informed that there will be no open training on view for the media on Tuesday. No media interviews that day either. It will be the only proper “dark day” for England in the tournament so far. Rest, lads. Recover. Prepare to go again.
Wednesday is the time for some honest words behind the scenes. That is the day to talk tactics, and find a new way of playing in time for Switzerland, and in time for England to rescue their Euros. It is not too late. If Southgate has finally accepted that it is time for Plan B. This Euros draw has opened up in such a way as to give England fans real hope of silverware. If only the team can play to its spectacular potential.
This is surely Southgate’s final innings. The question now is whether the England manager can tweak his technique whilst still at the crease, and carry his bat right through to a final hurrah in front of the packed stands in Berlin.
At the moment, it feels like he is swishing hopefully outside his off-stump. If he doesn’t change his style, his luck will surely run out when he finally faces a decent delivery from a more dangerous opponent.
Gareth Southgate has warned against “throwing everything out the window” by making sweeping changes to his England line-up despite their poor Euro 2024 performances.
There had been suggestion Southgate may be tempted to bring in one or both of Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer for Sunday’s last-16 clash with Slovakia after the pair’s bright impact from the bench against Slovenia – despite playing for a combined total of 30 minutes in that match.
Kobbie Mainoo is increasingly likely to start on Sunday, Sky Sports News understands, but the England manager is expected to resist the urge to make wholesale changes. Southgate has made only one alteration to his starting XI across the tournament so far despite England’s toils in Germany.
Southgate said: “A team is never quite as poor as people might think, and never quite as good as people might think.
“You’re probably about five per cent off where you’d like to be. Therefore you’ve got to be very careful not to throw everything out the window, lose things you’re doing well and lose continuity and the confidence that comes from players playing together and the understanding that comes with that.
“You have to ignore external advice and be assured in what you’re doing. Equally, we’ve had some players who have come in and had a big impact from the bench.
“Our substitutions in all of the matches have had a big impact, and we’re mindful people are pushing for places, there’s competition, we need that strength in depth.
“The squad are very together. they’re training well, that’s pushing the starting team that’s been in place. The other players have to be ready; you might need five or six changes tomorrow, that’s over half the team now.
“It’s important that when players come on, they perform as the guys did the other night.”
Southgate doubled down on that mindset by calling the Slovenia performance a “step in the right direction” despite his side failing to find the net, and managing only four shots on target against a side ranked 57th in the world.
He told reporters he had seen an increase in intensity on the training pitch ahead of the knock-out stages, and said morale was growing in the camp – including through celebrations for Jude Bellingham and Eberechi Eze’s birthdays on Saturday.
“Confidence is growing, the players know a lot of the performance against Slovenia was a step in the right direction,” he said.
“We have to find more incisiveness in the final third and creativity, but we have the players to do that.
“The understanding of playing together, sticking to the plan and making sure we show the right level of composure to sustain attacks in that area of the pitch, all of those things will add to the performance.
“Of course, goals have a huge impact on individuals and teams. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be one moment, you keep having to show evidence of what you’re doing well and building on what you’re doing.”
Fitness has proven a nagging issue for England both ahead of and during the tournament.
Southgate mentioned fatigue issues following their last warm-up game with Iceland at Wembley, before the Three Lions looked leggy in their opening game with Serbia and struggled to cope with Denmark’s intensity in their second.
Jude Bellingham said he was “dead” after an underwhelming personal performance against Slovenia, having struggled in the final months of the campaign with club side Real Madrid during a gruelling first season at the Bernabeu.
When asked about the 21-year-old’s fitness, Southgate said: “When you’ve walked off the pitch giving everything you’re going to feel physically in a certain way and perhaps emotionally too.
“He missed a period towards the end of the season with an ankle injury, and didn’t play every game because they were preparing for a Champions League final.
“He will have benefitted from the matches we’ve had and the recovery period in between, as have a number of players.
“But we always have to be mindful of the quality we have to be able to come into the game, the freshness and how that might make a difference in the latter stages of matches.
“That might make a difference, but I’m not concerned about where he’s at in terms of his condition. He’s obviously smiling a lot today, it’s a big day for him, and a reminder of his age and how well he deals with the expectation around him at a remarkably young age.
“I can think of few players who have had to live in that world. I can think that his world is different to most 21 year olds that I know. He’s dealing with that exceptionally well.”
You can’t start a fire without a spark – and England have no spark.
Yes, there was a slight improvement in performance level but that was only in the second half and it wasn’t enough to inspire any confidence that England are going to win the Euros for the first time this summer.
The first half against Slovenia was just more of the same. At times it was like one of those games from the 1970s before the backpass rule was introduced when players would just pass the ball between themselves at the back. It was all sideways and backwards. There was no movement off the ball and no bravery on the ball. There was no width, no invention and no cutting edge.
Marc Guehi looked assured at the back and Phil Foden tried to make things happen but that was about it and it was no surprise to see England booed off at half-time. Jan Oblak didn’t have a difficult save to make and when he was beaten by Bukayo Saka from close range, the goal was disallowed because Phil Foden was offside in the build-up.
If this was the England reset we had been promised then another reset was going to be required. Gareth Southgate and his players had accepted that the performances against Serbia and Denmark had not been good enough. They had honest and frank discussions and the problems had been addressed on the training pitch. Southgate had admitted that the team was not functioning and it was his responsibility to find solutions.
To be fair to Southgate, there were some signs of life in the second half. Kobbie Mainoo made a difference when he came on for Conor Gallagher at half-time and Cole Palmer received the biggest cheer of the night from England fans when he replaced Saka after 70 minutes.
England looked much better balanced and more compact with Mainoo in midfield and Palmer looked at home at this level. Southgate has to be bold and put Mainoo and Palmer in his starting XI for England’s last-16 game on Sunday.
With Mainoo in midfield England managed to pin Slovenia down in their own half for most of the second period. Even though they didn’t create that much more than the first half, England looked more threatening and the increased tempo forced Slovenia to settle for the draw they hoped would get them through to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.
Slovenia were more than the sum of their parts while England continue to be the opposite. A squad with so many exceptional players should not be producing the kind of performances fans have witnessed so far in Germany. It’s pointless to keep looking back but this was a game where an in-form Jack Grealish or Marcus Rashford or Raheem Sterling could have made a real difference.
While Slovenia celebrated their progress in front of their fans, England players walked off to boos after finishing top of the group. Southgate also had two plastic glasses thrown at him by disgruntled fans.
Watching Slovenia made your mind drift back to the days when England used to line up in the same 4-4-2 formation, a formation which will surely come back into fashion one day. There is no way an England side with a strike partnership of Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins or Kane and Ivan Toney would so ineffective against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia. Surely Kane would be much more at home and dangerous linking up with a strike partner rather than dropping deep or leading the press – or closing down as it used to be called in the old days.
So, what next for Southgate? Sunday’s game could be his final game as England manager. Even though the FA want him to stay, it is difficult to see how he will continue in the job long-term. Southgate will be asked about his future when he speaks to the media on Saturday. He will say the focus has to be on the crucial game the following day.
That will be the right answer. Southgate never wants to make anything about him. The team always comes first. In the meantime he has to find that missing spark. Otherwise he’ll just be dancing in the dark.
Gareth Southgate believes “so many things are starting to come together” for England after they topped Group C with a 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
Despite failing to fully impress once again, another blank between Denmark and Serbia in Munich meant Southgate’s men finished on top of Group C with five points from three games.
England will have to wait until Wednesday to know for sure their last-16 opponents as Netherlands or the third-placed team in Group E await at the weekend.
“I understand some of the reactions but it’s a strange environment we’re playing in,” said Southgate.
“I thought we were much improved with the ball, we’ve created some good openings and at the moment it’s hard work for us because we’re not quite getting that break in front of goal.
“So many things are starting to come together. We had a lot of issues coming into the tournament and today we looked more dangerous, we had a good impact from our substitutes, and we’ve got just now to convert our chances.”
Southgate singled out Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer for particular praise after the pair came off the bench late in the game and injected new life into the England front line.
“They [Mainoo and Palmer] are really young players so we’re balancing blooding them in a different environment, but they had a really good impact when they came on and used the ball really well,” Southgate added.
“I think we all wanted to win,” John Stones told ITV.
“But the objective was to top the group and we have done that so I am extremely pleased. It is not always going to be an easy road and it is not going to be easy when everyone has got a target on our backs to beat us.
“Two clean sheets out of three is a great positive for us to take into the next stage and I thought there was a lot of improvement from the previous two games.
“We tried to be more free-flowing and I thought we did that, found people in the pockets, created more chances and I believe it is another step in the right direction.
“I understand some of the fans’ frustration with us not scoring, not taking our chances. That’s football. We left everything out there and it is never an easy game.”