GARY LINEKER believes the FA should ‘go all out for’ Jurgen Klopp to replace Gareth Southgate.
England’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final is likely to bring an end to Southgate’s eight-year reign in charge.
The Three Lions’ lengthy wait for a major men’s trophy will now reach 60 years after goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal saw them lose a second straight Euros final.
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards sat alongside Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast to dissect the fallout and future.
The Match of the Day presenter praised Southgate for transforming England but claimed he’s no longer the man for the job.
The trio flip flopped between Klopp, Pep Guardiola, and Eddie Howe as potential replacements.
Lineker, 63, said: “I think he’s been the right person to bring the nation together in terms of the football team.
“And, now, maybe it’s time for someone else with a more modern, attacking style of football.
“Do you go English? There’s only really Eddie Howe. Say Gareth does call it a day? I suspect he will, it must be so tough, demanding, so hard.
“If you English, we mentioned, somebody maybe like Lampard, who would get respect. But wouldn’t you go all out for Jurgen Klopp?”
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Richards then replied: “I’d go one bigger – Pep”, to which Lineker said, “I think we’d all love Pep but do you realistically think we’d get him?”
On Klopp, Lineker added: ‘Klopp’s been out of a job. He’ll have had a bit of a rest.
Here are the latest odds from Ladbrokes:
Graham Potter – 11/10
Eddie Howe – 2/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 4/1
Jurgen Klopp – 10/1
Lee Carsley – 10/1
Pep Guardiola – 14/1
Ange Postecoglou – 16/1
Michael Carrick – 20/1
Steven Gerrard – 20/1
Thomas Tuchel – 20/1
“Club managers are paid an awful lot of money, I can’t see the FA stumping up that sort of cash.”
Klopp is currently enjoying some time away from football following his Liverpool departure.
He allegedly rejected an approach from the USA national team earlier this week.
Shearer then interrupted and asked: “Do you really think England would go for a German manager?
“I’m for English managers. Howe would be the outstanding candidate. There’s a lot going on at Newcastle. The guys who appointed Eddie have now left.”
As for Southgate himself, the England boss has insisted that now is not the time to discuss his position and it will take time for him to decide what the next step is going forward.
He said: “Now is not the time for me to discuss that. I understand the question of course, but I need to speak to the right people – we will go from there.”
COLE PALMER came off the bench to be England’s star man – but his heroics were unable to stop heartbreak against Spain, writes Tom Barclay.
Mikel Oyarzabal struck a late dagger through the hearts of the Three Lions to seal a 2-1 Spanish victory.
And that ensured that 58 years of hurt will go on.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated each England player in the crushing defeat:
Jordan Pickford: 8
Carefully controlled a blast of a backpass from John Stones on his line in the first half. Could do little to stop Williams’ opener but made two terrific stops to deny Yamal, only for Oyarzabal to poke home at the death.
Kyle Walker: 6
Had his hands full with Williams but managed the Spanish livewire pretty well but could not get near his powerful opener.
John Stones: 8
A colossus again as he played every single minute of this Euros, despite lack of Manchester City game-time. Superb block on early Williams shot, was often in the right place at the right time and at one point dribbled all the way up the pitch.
Marc Guehi: 6
Solid alongside Stones and overall it has been a brilliant first tournament for the Crystal Palace star. But Oyarzabal nicked in front of him for the winner.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Most consistent attacker for England across the tournament and had a good battle with pantomime villain Marc Cucurella here. It was his cross that Bellingham laid off for Palmer to work his magic.
Declan Rice: 7
Went past his boss Gareth Southgate’s cap haul by winning his 58th here and he is still only 25. Was in the thick of it in the midfield battle throughout.
Kobbie Mainoo: 5
Just 19 and starting a major final for England in the middle of midfield. Fewer bursts forward though than in recent games as his side struggled for possession and was subbed for Palmer as Southgate searched for a leveller.
Luke Shaw: 7
Looked so sharp for a player making his first start since Luton away on February 10, winning his battle against Lamine Yamal in the first half. But Yamal got the better of him after the break to tee up Williams’ opener.
Phil Foden: 6
Out of possession it was his job to man-mark Manchester City colleague Rodri, until the Spanish maestro went off injured at half-time. Had a half-chance just before the break but could not beat Unai Simon.
Jude Bellingham: 7
Shunted wide left when England did not have the ball – which was a lot of the time. Riskily flew into a few tackles, but it was his clever lay-off that teed up Palmer.
Harry Kane: 4
His lack of involvement was summed up by England fans calling for Ollie Watkins in the 57th minute. They got their wish on the hour.
SUBS:
Ollie Watkins: 6
Semi-final hero was introduced far earlier here to get some legs in behind, though he did not have too much impact this time.
Cole Palmer: 9
What an impact after emerging with just twenty minutes to go. Yet another of Southgate’s subs paid off handsomely as Palmer curled a peach of an equaliser with 17 minutes remaining, sending most of the Olympiastadion potty.
Ivan Toney: 6
Thrown on right at the end but could not make an impact.
Gareth Southgate: 7
The game was a chess match for the first half and Southgate was never going to go early with his bold moves.
His subs were excellent to be fair, with Palmer brilliantly getting his team back into it.
Critics will say England did not play attacking enough but Spain are one hell of a side – and Southgate’s men pushed them all the way.
