Jamie Carragher pointed the finger at England’s players rather than manager Gareth Southgate after the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
England’s hopes of avenging their Euro 2020 final loss were dashed on Sunday night in Berlin, as Mikel Oyarzabal’s late strike sealed a 1-0 win for Spain.
While England’s performance improved as the tournament progressed, they struggled for most of it, and Carragher felt the players’ inability to replicate their club form was a key factor.
Jamie Carragher has blamed England’s players for their Euro 2024 campaign
Harry Kane failed to replicate his impressive Bundesliga form for England
England have now lost back-to-back European Championship finals
Carragher shared his thoughts on England’s performance via Twitter
Carragher, a Liverpool legend, took to Twitter during the game, writing: ‘England second best to Spain in that half, but Spain haven’t created much. England can win playing like this, but they need more pace and directness in attack.
‘Three out of the four attackers like coming to feet; they need at least one, if not two, who can make runs in behind.’
After England’s defeat, he added: ‘Sven played 4-4-2, Fabio was too strict, and Gareth is too defensive! Funny how it’s always the manager’s fault, isn’t it?!! Our top players didn’t show up in this tournament or in others over the years.’
In response to a post praising Spain’s manager, De la Fuente, Carragher said: ‘International football isn’t known for its abundance of top managers. It’s about the players. Ours froze in that first half, allowing the keeper to go long and not demanding the ball or showing for it.’
Carragher also defended Southgate’s substitution record during the tournament and questioned the overall ability of the squad.
Carragher defended Southgate’s substitution record and questioned the squad’s ability
He continued: ‘Exactly! The big players didn’t show up!! We had about 60% possession until the final because we played average teams. Are you blaming Southgate for some of Europe’s best attacking players’ inability to break down average defenses???’
A dejected Southgate conceded that Spain were the better team but refused to confirm his future with England. ‘I think they were the best team in the tournament,’ he told the BBC. ‘We didn’t keep the ball well enough, but we were in it until the last. I am devastated for everyone, the players have been incredible, and I am so proud.
‘We had a bit of momentum and a big chance at the end, but I’m not sure we did quite enough.’
Gareth Southgate’s future with England is uncertain after the Euro 2024 final defeat
Spain claimed their fourth European Championship title with a 2-1 win over England
Carragher added in another post: ‘I have no relationship with Southgate at all. I feel he has been cautious from the bench throughout his time, but in this tournament, his substitutions have been great.
‘There’s this idea that he’s holding back an amazing team. Is it any better than the teams of 1996, 1998, or 2004??’
Sunday’s final loss could be Southgate’s last game as England manager, although reports suggest the FA would like him to stay until the 2026 World Cup.