After being the darling of the English press and fan base over the last month or so, many are now asking questions about Gareth Southgate.
His crowning as some sort of tactical genius during the tournament certainly now seems premature, especially considering the manner in which they were outplayed and outthought by Italy in the final.
Considering all the natural advantages that England had during Euro 2020, it might not be too far fetched to say their best chance to win a tournament under their current manager has now passed.
Richard Keys certainly believes that is the case.
Writing in his now infamous blog, the Qatar based presenter expressed his belief that Gareth Southgate may have held England back at the Euros. He believes he should not be in charge for the 2022 World Cup as a result.
Truth is - it was a wasted opportunity. England should’ve won it. You won’t read this elsewhere - but it’s true.
They had home advantage. Home crowd. No travel (apart from the trip to Rome). But they only played in fits and starts...
I’m not convinced that Southgate ever had any idea what his best team was. Why all the chopping and changing? This was put down to ‘tactical nous’ by the Press boys. No it wasn’t. It was a mess...
Every change of personnel and system was passed off as ‘genius’. But it wasn’t. For me it was an admission that we didn’t have a single XI good enough. If a PL manager had been chopping and changing like it he’d have been pilloried.
There’s no doubt that England have made strides in the right direction. It hasn’t happened overnight and it hasn’t happened because of Gareth Southgate...
There’s no question that Southgate is a nice man - but to win at the highest level that isn’t a tool required. He’s worked hard and thrown himself at his job. But I’d change it now - or what happened at Wembley will happen again in Qatar - but long before the final.
You won't often find yourself agreeing with Keys, and while this is a bit of a harsh take, it is true that many of Southgate's shortcomings have been glossed over in the British media.
Keys would go on to say the former Middlesborough boss seemed to overthink things, suggesting that Arsene Wenger should be the man the FA seek out to replace him.
The whole tournament smacked of Southgate being just a bit too clever. Even the penalties were over thought. I felt for Rashford and Sancho - deemed not good enough to play a part in 120 minutes - but asked to go and make fools of themselves in a shoot out.
Sorry. That was poor. So they were the best in training? So what? Your first touch of the ball on the night is a pen? No thanks. It was an impossible task. Too clever Gareth...
I can’t see England going any further with Southgate. It it was my choice I’d move heaven and earth to persuade Arsene Wenger to take it.
We can't imagine the FA agreeing with his assessment.
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