England v Spain: LIVE Euro 2024 reaction as Gareth Southgate speculation grows

Gareth Southgate says he has to decide whether it is right for both him and the team to continue as England manager after overseeing a second European Championship final defeat.

“Look, now’s not the time for me to discuss that, really,” Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live after the Euro 2024 final, “I understand the question, of course, but I think I need to speak to the right people, and we’ll go from there.

“It’s been an amazing experience to lead the team to another final, but obviously at the moment to come short as we have is very painful.”

Asked if not outstaying his welcome – something he has mentioned before – is part of that thought process, the England boss said: “Umm, there’s a lot of things that are part of it. There’s what’s right for the team, there’s what’s right for me. Yeah, lots of things to consider.”

The fallout to England’s Euro 2024 final defeat continues with pundits, fans, former managers and ex-players all having their say on the national team.

Sam Allardyce, who preceded Gareth Southgate as England boss, says the Three Lions failed to utilise their attacking talent and that is what cost them against Spain.

“This has been a really good era over the last eight years – we can’t forget that England have done their best [at major tournaments] since 1966 – we just can’t get over the line,” Allardyce told Sky Sports News.

“Why was that? It’s about getting our quality players in the right areas.

“We had many goal scorers in the squad – Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins. Look at how many goals they scored at club level this last season. How many chances did we create for them at the Euros?

“We didn’t break defences down as well or as quickly enough as we should have done and that needs to be looked at.

“Also, we need to look at the system or systems we intend to play and make sure that the players we pick are comfortable in that system. If they are not then you are better off not picking them.”

The former Liverpool manager is currently out of work after walking away from Anfield to take a break from management.

The German was approached by the United States ahead of a World Cup on home soil in 2026, with Gregg Berhalter dismissed after a group stage exit from the Copa America, but quickly rebuffed the opportunity for talks.

England’s footballers have left their hotel in Berlin this morning, and are expected to arrive back in the United Kingdom at Stanstead airport later today:

Gareth Southgate’s England squad have left their hotel in Berlin.

England were beaten 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final, with Spain running out deserved winners in Berlin.

England’s team stayed overnight at the team hotel, but departed this morning.

The squad are expected to arrive back in the United Kingdom at Stanstead airport later today.

The 53-year-old’s contract is due to expire in December, but Southgate may elect to leave beforehand to give the Football Association (FA) time to appoint a replacement.

Check out the full list of odds:

An unprecedented era of dominance, the greatest men’s international side of the modern age. Back-to-back-to-back winners of major tournaments. The Spain side of 2008-2012 gave football a new way of looking at the uppermost elite reaches of the game, and gave all sides to come after them a lot to live up to.

The fall which followed, though, was swift, dramatic and prolonged: Spain won just one match at each of their next three World Cups following victory in 2010 and haven’t been past the round of 16 since then. After retaining the European Championship in 2012, they won only two games in ‘16 and the same number in 2021. A long time in the relative wilderness, even if the latter tournament saw them sneak through to the last four.

And yet at Euro 2024, they didn’t just find the right balance of mentality and technique, they found their ideal style. They didn’t just win the competition, they won all seven matches – only the second nation to achieve such a feat en route to major tournament glory, after Brazil at the 2002 World Cup.

Spain have found a new version of themselves, one which has proven better than all their rivals in every way that matters – and the best part of it is that they are only just beginning. The players, as well as the platform, is there for much longer, much more sustained success.

Karl Matchett assesses the future for a remarkable Spain team:

La Roja won all seven matches at the tournament, without needing penalties, as the nation lifted the trophy for a record fourth time. On their route to the final were Italy, Germany France and England, Europe’s only teams to have won a World Cup, while Gareth Southgate’s men enjoyed a more favourable side of the draw.

Attending the grand finale in Berlin, the young prince couldn’t help but let his emotions boil over as he reacted to every kick with his father Prince William by his side on Sunday night.

He was seen whispering into his father’s ear at various points and holding his face as England missed opportunities to score at the Olympiastadion.

The Real Madrid defender hauled down the Arsenal winger in the first half in Berlin.

And French referee Francois Letexier immediately called for a foul to the Three Lions, leaving Carvajal irritated.