Tension After EURO 2024 Final: Coach Gareth Southgate Criticizes Harry Kane’s Lack of Effort.
The EURO 2024 final in Berlin saw tensions escalate when coach Gareth Southgate publicly criticized captain Harry Kane for his underwhelming performance. After the 1-2 defeat against Spain, Southgate became the first coach to lose in the two EURO finals he participated in (2020, 2024). He has still not been able to help the Three Lions win their first major title since the 1966 World Cup.
After the match, coach Southgate did not comment on his future with the England team. Instead, he targeted captain Harry Kane for his unconvincing performance. “I think it’s time to get rid of players who lack effort. Kane had a pretty difficult tournament, especially physically. He ran out of energy quicker, and didn’t meet the team’s needs,” Southgate said.
Kane did not make excuses, sharing with sadness: “There is nothing more painful than losing in a final. We tried very hard to get back into the game with a 1-1 equalizer. We won.” You can use your spirit as a springboard to continue attacking. But the team can’t keep the ball and accept punishment. In the final matches, the will and legs don’t know how to obey. I’m really disappointed .”
During 60 minutes on the field, Kane touched the ball 13 times and missed half of his passes (5/10). He lost the ball 6 times, his aerial combat success rate was only 33% (2/6). Fed up with Kane’s performance, coach Southgate put Ollie Watkins on the field to replace him.
This is not the first time Kane has played disappointingly at EURO 2024. He was given the lowest score in the quarter-final match against Switzerland. However, it must be affirmed that Spain is a superior team compared to the opponents England have ever faced. They won all 7 matches before reaching the podium, lifting their 4th championship at the EURO finals.
In the final, although the Three Lions made it difficult for Spain until the last minute, they still had to surrender to Mikel Oyarzabal. Southgate commented: “In matches like this, the line between winning and losing becomes more fragile than ever. But I think Spain is the best team in the tournament, they deserve to win. We won.” I tried until the last minute. I’m just sorry that the team had so little possession of the ball, so it was difficult to develop opportunities.”
“They pressed too well and we were forced to play the ball faster, trying to escape the dilemma. The players knew what they needed to do, but Spain were simply too superior. At the end of the game, we didn’t could not escape pressing, had to cede the game to them. I still believe Cole Palmer’s equalizer was a worthy goal, based on what the team performed.”
Under criticism, Harry Kane still expressed his desire to continue working with coach Southgate: “We love the coach very much. To stay or not, that’s his decision. Now is not the time to take them out.” discuss. Then he will speak up. At the present time, the British are still in a period of suffering.”
Southgate’s current contract with the English Football Association will expire at the end of this year. However, the Times revealed that the 53-year-old coach will keep the hot seat regardless of England’s performance in Germany.