Empty stadiums, fan protests put Leagues Cup at crossroads

Messi, Kane, Maradona, stars put Pochettino in perspective

MLS Power Rankings: Miami clinch playoffs, Reus shines in LA

Transfers LIVE: Chelsea & Juve in Sancho tug of war

30 star players who are still desperate for a transfer

Ronaldo reveals plan to retire in secret amid coaching claim

Neymar rejected? Barcelona turn down chance to re-sign star

Colombia star Rodriguez agrees to La Liga move

Ratcliffe & INEOS close to signing Moukoko from Dortmund

📽️ | USMNT 14-year-old Sullivan scores long-range stunner

Arteta explains why Trossard refused to celebrate vs Villa

Bruno accused of 'laughing' at Erik ten Hag

Article continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="better-collective-widget">{"type":"better-collective-widget","data":{}}</script>Article continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Southgate stepped down after Euro 2024 final defeat</li><li>Lineker openly critical of England side</li><li>Defends his take</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Gary Lineker defends Euro 2024 criticism of Gareth Southgate as he insists comments didn't contribute to England resignation

UEFA Nations League B

Ireland

England

England stumbled through the group stage at Euro 2024, beating Serbia but drawing with both Denmark and Slovenia. After the Denmark game, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/tough-england-harry-kane-gary-lineker-alan-shearer-euro-2024-criticism-three-lions-cope-pressure/bltf85cd6f04206770e" target="_blank">Lineker, on the Rest Is Football podcast, claimed the performance was "tactically inept" and that England were "sh*t"</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

England went on to reach the final, but they struggled to convince throughout the entire tournament. Slovakia were beaten in extra time, while a quarter-final clash with Switzerland required penalties. England did beat the Netherlands in normal time - thanks to Ollie Watkins' last-minute goal - but they came unstuck against La Roja. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-bh/lists/gareth-southgate-resigns-as-england-manager-emotional-statement-after-euro-2024-final-heartbreak/bltd1a723cfd0ac920e" target="_blank">Following the final defeat, Southgate stepped down</a> but Lineker is adamant his comments had nothing to do with his decision.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Lineker said on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYcpuppHUxE&amp;t=1146s" target="_blank">podcast</a>: “We (pundits) were critical at times, because you can’t say when a team is not playing very well, that they played well. “If they played awfully, you say they played awfully, and they did in the early part of the tournament.“There’s no question about that. But then to try and make it that that’s the reason, that criticism is the reason he’s gone. It’s not. It’s not that at all. “We speak to the players and they understand where it’s coming from.”

WHAT LINEKER SAID

England are on the hunt for a new boss. They have been linked with a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/fa-plan-bring-pep-guardiola-as-england-manager-replace-gareth-southgate/blt3720cb8d6105c7d1" target="_blank">shock move to try to appoint Pep Guardiola</a>, having already been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jurgen-klopp-snubs-england-liverpool-boss-gareth-southgate-euro-2024/blt4ede4203b9e30ca7" target="_blank">rejected by ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp</a>.

WHAT NEXT?

Gary Lineker defends Euro 2024 criticism of Gareth Southgate as he insists comments didn't contribute to England resignation | Goal.com US

Gary Lineker has defended his criticism of England during Euro 2024, insisting his comments did not contribute to Gareth Southgate&apos;s resignation.