ENGLAND BOSS TUCHEL ALLOWED TO WORK FROM HOME IN GERMANY AND SKIP MATCHES

Thomas Tuchel has not been seen in Premier League grounds on some weekends (Picture: Getty)

England boss Thomas Tuchel has not attended any of the last three Premier League weekends due to a work-from-home arrangement with the FA, it has emerged.

Tuchel was appointed as Gareth Southgate’s successor in October last year but did not begin his job full-time until the start of the New Year.

While England’s first game under Tuchel’s stewardship is not until late March against Albania, the German has been seen in various Premier League grounds as he watches over potential members of his first squad.

However, concerns have now arisen after it was noted that the former Chelsea boss has not been seen at any grounds over the last three Premier League gameweeks despite only starting his new job a little more than six weeks ago.

The Times now report that the FA have afforded Tuchel the flexibility to work from home in a move that will allow him to make regular trips back to Germany to visit his family.

It is a move not too dissimilar from the head coach of the England women’s team, Sarina Wiegman, who has carried out her role whilst commuting from her family home in the Netherlands.

There is also no suggestion that Tuchel has not been watching games despite not being in attendance. He is also said to have made several trips to the national team’s base, St George’s Park.

Tuchel has missed the last three weekends of Premier League action (Picture: Getty)

Tuchel is on an 18-month contract with a £5million salary (Picture: Getty)

Tuchel attended four games across the first weekend in his new role at the start of January but then missed both midweek Carabao Cup semi-final first legs as well as a full slate of FA Cup third-round action the following weekend.

The 51-year-old did then attend seven games across the next six days – from January 14 to 22 – which included the north London derby and Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

More recently, Tuchel has been in Milan to watch England veteran Kyle Walker at his new club on February 2 and in Madrid to keep tabs on Jude Bellingham six days later.

But he also missed another weekend slate of Premier League action at the start of February as well as the fourth round of the FA Cup which included Marcus Rashford’s debut for Aston Villa against Tottenham on February 9.

Tuchel’s predecessor, Gareth Southgate, was a regular in the stands (Picture: Getty)

Tuchel was seen back in England for City’s clash with Real Madrid last Tuesday and watched Harry Kane in action in Munich on Saturday.

However, he once again opted against seeing any Premier League action last weekend, although he was in the stands for Chelsea’s clash with Brighton on Friday.

Defending Tuchel’s current working arrangments, a statement from the FA told The Times: ‘Thomas has attended 17 matches — both in England and abroad — to watch English players since he joined us in January, and is working full-time to assess players for his first squad announcement next month.’

- Ben Fleming

ENGLAND MANAGER THOMAS TUCHEL BULLISH ON 2026 WORLD CUP AIM

Thomas Tuchel was appointed as England manager on Wednesday. Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

New England head coach Thomas Tuchel has said he will not shy away from publicly stating his aim is to win the 2026 World Cup and believes only "nuances" and "details" have stopped the side ending their long wait for silverware.

Gareth Southgate came closer than any manager since Sir Alf Ramsey to delivering England's first men's trophy since 1966, guiding the team to back-to-back Euros finals.

Southgate stepped down after losing the Euro 2024 showpiece to Spain in July and the Football Association (FA) responded by appointing under-21 manager Lee Carsley on an interim basis before pivoting to a proven winner in Tuchel.

Sources have told ESPN that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was among the 10 candidates FA chief executive Mark Bullingham revealed on Wednesday that they had spoken to during the process.

However, they ultimately chose Tuchel, who has won 11 major honours at club level including the 2021 Champions League with Chelsea.

The 51-year-old will start his 18-month contract on Jan. 1 -- meaning he will get just one tournament cycle as things stand -- and when asked if it was win or bust for him with England, Tuchel said: "I don't know, it depends. I know what you're saying. No, it's not a gamble, but we speak it out now very clearly why we are here and what we want to achieve.

"We are not shy of it. We are absolutely open about it. It does not help the more often we speak about it, but it should be out there and then we can set the standards and set the values and principles because then we have to live up to them for 18 months.

"Let's judge it when we have done it. If we decide it was a failure, then we will not continue. If we decide it was not a failure, then we will continue. Let's see. No one can predict the future.

"It feels absolutely right for me to do so, it feels clear and it feels easy for me to explain. When it's easy to explain, it's normally good.

"We are playing with players for the best league and the biggest competition in the world. We have a group of young hungry players. We are desperate to win a title, so we have all the ingredients, so I think we should try to implement this into our style of play.

"I think we should play an attacking style of football and we should try to emphasise a physical side of the game because this is what English football is all about and this is what excites our supporters, and this is what suits the players."

Southgate led England to the 2018 World Cup semifinals where they were beaten in extra-time by Croatia. They lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties before exiting the World Cup two years later with a narrow 2-1 defeat to France in which Harry Kane missed a late penalty that would have tied the score.

Spain edged another tight game 2-1 in Berlin and when asked to explain what England were missing, Tuchel said: "I think it's just nuances, it's just details. If you lose on penalties in a final, who would I be to say I know what you did wrong when you were there.

"You were there. We or they have been in two finals I think. Semifinals and quarterfinals. Lost each of them very, very close, each of them could have gone either way. The genuine belief is that we are there, that we are ready."

Bullingham also defended the appointment of a foreign-born manager -- the third in England's history -- despite the FA making the development of homegrown players and managers at St. George's Park central to their mission.

Citing the arrival of English coach Anthony Barry as Tuchel's assistant, Bullingham said: "If you look at St. George's Park overall, I think it has been a really good success. Our pathway is really strong, both from a coaches and players point of view. There are a lot of fantastic young coaches around and obviously Anthony is one of those.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

GARETH SOUTHGATE LEAVES ENGLAND JOB AFTER EURO 2024 FINAL

Gareth Southgate's England became the first country to lose two successive European Championship finals. MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

 Gareth Southgate has resigned as England manager after their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, the English Football Association (FA) confirmed on Tuesday.

Southgate's contract was due to expire in December, and although sources told ESPN that the FA wanted him to continue through to the 2026 World Cup, Southgate opted to walk away after eight years as manager.

In a statement released by the FA, Southgate said: "As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.

"But it's time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday's final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager."

Southgate, 53, played 57 times for England and took charge of 102 games as manager. Only Walter Winterbottom (139) and Sir Alf Ramsey (113) coached England more often.

After taking charge in 2016, he guided England to the 2018 World Cup semifinals, the Euro 2020 final and the World Cup 2022 quarterfinals before they reached their first major final on foreign soil in Germany.

Southgate began work with the FA as head of elite development in 2011, and since replacing Sam Allardyce five years later, he has been widely credited with overhauling the culture of the England squad and reconnecting the team with supporters.

"I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games," Southgate's statement continued. "Every one of them has been proud to wear the Three Lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.

"The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George's Park and The FA who strive every day to improve English football and understand the power football has to drive positive change."

Southgate signed off his message by declaring: "We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I'm an England fan and I always will be.

"I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can. Thank you, England -- for everything."

Sources told ESPN that Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino are among the leading candidates to replace Southgate.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed the search had now begun and hailed Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland's contribution to English football.

"Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success," he said in a statement.

"He is held in the highest regard by the players, the backroom team, by everyone at The FA and across the world of football.

"We are very proud of everything Gareth and Steve achieved for England, and will be forever grateful to them.

"The process for appointing Gareth's successor is now under way and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. Our UEFA Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed.

"We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we won't be commenting further on our process until we appoint."

England captain Harry Kane shared his appreciation for Southgate on social media.

"Boss. Thank you for everything you have done for me and our country! You have been one of England's greatest ever managers and it has been a pleasure to have served as your captain throughout," he wrote on X. "You helped our nation connect and believe in our team again.

"There have been so many highlights and we've made memories together that will last forever! Good luck with your next chapter and I'm sure we'll see each other around. Thanks Boss!"

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

SPAIN VS. ENGLAND TALE OF THE TAPE: WHO WILL WIN EURO 2024?

The Euro 2024 final is set, with three-time European champions Spain attempting to prevent England's men from winning the tournament for the first time and, in the process, ending their 58-year wait for international glory since lifting the World Cup in 1966.

It promises to be a clash of styles in Berlin -- Spain's peerless possession game against England's blend of pace and power, with both sides relying on the new generation of football superstars in Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham.

Spain have been the most eye-catching and effective team of Euro 2024 -- the only side to win all of their games -- while England struggled to play to their potential until the 2-1 semifinal win against Netherlands. But both teams have the players and the experience to win, and coaches Luis de la Fuente and Gareth Southgate have strengths and weaknesses to address.

Spain are aiming to become the most successful nation ever at the European Championship by winning a fourth title on Sunday. Their three previous successes (1964, 2008, 2012) have them tied with Germany's three continental titles.

England's men have never won the Euros. The Three Lions reached the final for the first time at Euro 2020, but lost in a penalty shootout against Italy at Wembley Stadium in London.

Will it be Spain captain Álvaro Morata or England skipper Harry Kane who gets to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy at the Olympiastadion on Sunday? Here's how the two teams stack up ahead of the final.

Goalkeeper

Spain's Unai Simón and England's Jordan Pickford arrive at the final having been two of the most consistent and reliable goalkeepers at Euro 2024 and they are both remarkably similar in their records at the tournament.

Simón, 27, is able to play as an auxiliary defender and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. The Athletic Club No. 1 has conceded just three goals in five games, making 12 saves in those fixtures.

Pickford, 30, has been England's first choice since the 2018 World Cup and has been a hero in penalty shootouts against Colombia in that tournament and Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. The Everton player's distribution with his feet is more long-distance than Simón's, but his ability to pick out forwards and wingers is a key part of England's approach. In six games, Pickford has conceded four goals and made 14 saves and, just like Simón, is a reliable figure when it comes to collecting crosses.

Weaknesses? Both can take risks with the ball at their feet in the penalty area, so quick-thinking forwards could catch them out.

Defence

Spain have operated with a back four throughout Euro 2024 and, with right-back Dani Carvajal and centre-back Robin Le Normand available again after missing the semifinal win over France through suspension, coach De la Fuente is likely to restore them alongside Aymeric Laporte and left-back Marc Cucurella.

It is a classic back four in terms of the qualities of the individual players. Real Madrid's Carvajal is arguably the world's best right-back, equally effective going forward as he is defensively, while Chelsea's Cucurella offers balance on the left. Cucurella's performances in Germany have been a stark contrast to the struggles he has endured at Stamford Bridge during the past two seasons. In the centre, Real Sociedad's Le Normand and Al Nassr defender Laporte, the former Manchester City player, offer physical presence, outstanding ability on the ball and a right-footed/left-footed combination. Both are also strong in the air.

Spain lack pace at the heart of their defence, but with striker Kane likely to play through the centre for England, his similar lack of pace means Laporte and Le Normand will not have their weakness tested.

England have operated with both four-man and three-man defences in Germany, but Southgate is expected to revert to a back four on Sunday. With Kieran Trippier struggling to overcome a groin strain, left-back Luke Shaw is likely to start for the first time, with Marc Guéhi, John Stones and right-back Kyle Walker completing the defensive lineup.

Stones has been one of the outstanding defenders at the tournament, while Guéhi has been a revelation, missing only the Switzerland quarterfinal through suspension. Stones and Guéhi form a perfect blend of pace, strength and reading of the game. At right-back, Walker has once again shown himself to be a world-class full-back. But how Stones and Guéhi combine with defensive midfielder Declan Rice to nullify the threat of Spain's Dani Olmo could be decisive on Sunday.

Midfield

The injury to Pedri, suffered in the quarterfinal win against Germany, has forced De la Fuente to switch from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1, with Rodri and Fabián Ruiz now playing behind a more advanced three, with Olmo operating in between the midfield and attacking lines. That switch has given Spain greater attacking threat, but it hasn't weakened their midfield, despite the loss of a player as gifted as Pedri.

The reason for that is Rodri's absolute command of the defensive sector of midfield and his ability to dictate and destroy in equal measure. Ruiz perfectly complements the Manchester City player's attributes with his more adventurous qualities.

For England, Rice and Kobbie Mainoo perform the same two-man midfield axis as Rodri and Ruiz, but with different elements than the Spanish pair. Arsenal's record-signing Rice brings the energy and tenacity, while Manchester United youngster Mainoo offers the flair and calmness. Mainoo has been a breakout star of the tournament, but the defensive side of the 19-year-old's game can let him down at times. Conversely, Rice can be limited with his passing ability in open play, although his set-piece deliveries have been highly effective at club level.

Further forward, Bellingham links the midfield and attack for England. Despite scoring twice at Euro 2024, the Real Madrid player has had an indifferent tournament and looks tired, but he remains a world-class talent, and Spain will regard him as the player to stop with many of the squad having seen him up close in LaLiga this season.

In terms of personnel and experience, Spain clearly win the midfield battle on paper and England have to find a way to overcome that.

Nico Williams and Bukayo Saka will be crucial attacking influences on Sunday. TOBIAS SCHWARZADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Attack

For both sides, the strength is out wide rather than through the centre where both Morata and Kane have struggled to make an impact. The two centre-forwards have had frustrating tournaments, although Kane has scored three goals -- Morata has one in six games -- and could yet win the Golden Boot. But it is the ability of Yamal and Nico Williams for Spain and the proven quality of Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka that could decide this game.

Yamal and Williams have been outstanding for Spain. Both have displayed pace, awareness and goal threat and Yamal, who celebrates his 17th birthday on Saturday, has announced himself to the world as a generational talent.

Saka and Foden have yet to hit the same heights for England, although Saka did score a crucial equaliser in the quarterfinal against Switzerland. But while Saka and Foden are still searching for their best, Spain will have no doubt that either of them could win the game for England with a flash of individual brilliance. Both can score with shots from distance and they are equally comfortable on either flank.

While Yamal and Williams are the form players, don't underestimate the threat posed by Foden and Saka.

Impact substitutes

Spain and England have incredible depth and both De la Fuente and Southgate have won games at Euro 2024 with timely substitutions. Less than 10 minutes after entering the action in the semifinal against Netherlands, substitutes Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins combined for Watkins to score a 90th-minute winner for England. But in the quarterfinals, Mikel Merino performed a similar job for Spain by scoring a headed winner in the 119th minute against Germany after being thrown on late in the game. Mikel Oyarzabal, Joselu, Ferran Torres and Ayoze Pérez also have the ability to be matchwinners for La Roja, while at the back, De la Fuente can also rely on serial Champions League winner Nacho Fernández in case of emergency.

England's options are just as impressive. Palmer has made a telling contribution each time he has been used as a sub, while forwards Ivan Toney and Eberechi Eze have also impressed. Trent Alexander-Arnold's set-piece ability and delivery from wide is a potential game changer from the bench, while Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen both possess the pace and attacking instinct to make an impact late in the game.

Gareth Southgate and Luis de la Fuente will most to mastermind success on Sunday. MIGUEL MEDINAODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

The managers

Sunday's final is all about the two teams, but it is also a pointer to the importance of youth team coaches with both De la Fuente and Southgate elevated to the top job after lengthy periods working with the youth sides.

Southgate, whose only club job ended with relegation from the Premier League with Middlesbrough in 2009, spent three years in charge of England under-21s. He only took the senior job in 2016 after Sam Allardyce was fired for off-field controversies after just one game in charge. Prior to his U21 role, Southgate, 53, headed the English FA's elite development unit, with responsibility for overseeing the development of young players, for 18 months.

De la Fuente has had a similar career path, although his only senior job prior to taking charge of Spain in 2022 was a four-month stint with Alaves in 2011. The 63-year-old's career has been rooted in development squads and youth teams, with time in charge of Spain's under-19, U21, under-23 and Olympic sides (winning a silver medal in Tokyo.) He succeeded Luis Enrique with the senior side following the 2022 World Cup, and the following year led them to a trophy by winning the UEFA Nations League.

The referee

French official François Letexier has been handed the responsibility of taking charge of the final by UEFA. The 35-year-old has refereed three games already at the tournament, including Spain's round-of-16 win against Georgia, but this will be the biggest game of his career by far.

His highlight until now was taking charge of the UEFA Super Cup between Manchester City and Sevilla last season, before being appointed as fourth official for the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley last month.

But in a tournament in which VAR has played an outsized role in games, perhaps the key appointments are those who will sit in front of the TV screens at the VAR hub. France's Jérôme Brisard will take the lead VAR role, assisted by fellow Frenchman Willy Delajod and Italy's Massimiliano Irrati.

A familiar fixture

This is the first time that Spain and England have met in a senior men's final, but the two nations have become regular rivals across the game and Sunday's showpiece points to the success of the two national associations in developing their teams.

England beat Spain in the 2023 Euro U21 final in Batumi, Georgia, with Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon both starting that game, while Spain beat England in the Women's World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, last August.

If England win on Sunday, it will give the country the distinction of being European champions in both the men's and women's game, with the Lionesses winning the Euros in 2022, having defeated Spain at the quarterfinal stage.

The trophy

The winning captain will lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy, named after the former president of the French Football Federation who introduced the European Championship as UEFA's first general secretary.

The trophy, which weighs 8 kg (17½ lbs) and is 60 cm (23½ in) tall, is made of sterling silver and was produced by Asprey London, a renowned jeweller and goldsmith. It is the second version of the trophy, with UEFA replacing the original, smaller cup in 2008.

- Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

SOUTHGATE'S BOLD, BELATED SUBS FIRE ENGLAND TO EURO 2024 FINAL

Gareth Southgate's 81st-minute substitutions sparked England to a late Euro 2024 semifinal win over the Netherlands on Wednesday. Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

 DORTMUND, Germany -- Gareth Southgate finally broke the pattern.

England's Euro 2024 semifinal against the Netherlands was threatening to drift away from them in the style of previous tournament exits since the 53-year-old manager took charge in 2016. After being dominated in a first half that ended tied at 1-1, Dutch boss Ronald Koeman changed his approach at half-time, sending on Wout Weghorst, closing up the spaces Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo had been exploiting and asked a different question of England and Southgate.

For a while, it flummoxed them. England had nine shots in Wednesday's 2-1 win but none between the 41st minute and 87th. Southgate waited a long time before making his move.

Memories of Croatia in 2018, France in 2022 and even the previous Euros final in between -- which England lost on penalties -- began to resurface as Southgate seemed unable to reverse the momentum ebbing away from his side.

The conversations he has on the touchline with trusted assistant Steve Holland can seem interminable. There is no doubt other managers are more proactive, instinctive even.

But having been largely forced into bringing on Luke Shaw at half-time as Kieran Trippier suffered a groin problem that makes him a doubt for Sunday's final, Southgate's double change with 10 minutes to go was, eventually, bold.

Harry Kane is England's all-time leading goal scorer and captain, but despite scoring the first-half penalty that cancelled out Xavi Simons' sublime opener, he was flatfooted, tired and far too easy to mark. Southgate suggested afterward that the Denzel Dumfries challenge on Kane, which led to his penalty, had left a mark on the forward.

Foden was also caught in the wider malaise but had been so dangerous in the first half, having a shot cleared off the line before hitting the post from long range. Taking them both off for Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer was not an easy call given their reputations and standings, but it was the right one.

Palmer fired over in the 88th minute but then played a clever pass through for Watkins, who turned Stefan de Vrij and fired a stunning shot across Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and just inside his right-hand post. Cue pandemonium.

Somewhere in the maelstrom, Southgate reacted by introducing Conor Gallagher and Ezri Konsa to see out stoppage-time and spark more jubilant scenes at full-time. After allowing the players to take centre stage in front of the euphoric England supporters, Southgate took a moment to celebrate passionately in front of them.

This is a tournament campaign that has been blighted by fitness issues from the outset and heavy criticism from supporters throughout. Now, beer was being thrown in the air, not at Southgate.

"We all want to be loved, right? When you are doing something for your country and you are a proud Englishman, when you don't feel that back and all you read is criticism, it is hard," Southgate said after the match. "To be able to celebrate a second final is very, very special. Especially the fans that travel.

"Our travelling support is amazing, the money they spend, the commitment to do that, to be able to give them a night like this -- and we have given them a few over the last six years from Russia onwards -- it means a lot. If I hadn't been on the grass, I'd have been watching, celebrating like they were.

"We're kindred spirits in many ways. Of course, I'm the one that has to pick a team. To be able to give them a night like tonight is very, very special."

England's opening 45 minutes was the best football they have produced all tournament. Admittedly, the bar for that was pretty low after a series of underwhelming displays, but there was an energy and dynamism about them after Simons' superb seventh-minute strike put the Netherlands in front.

Kane's equaliser came from a penalty that could only really have been awarded in the VAR era, but England were good value for it until the Netherlands shut the game down, making this a similar watch to England's stifled displays against Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland in particular.

"They were a three-box-three in the second half so we weren't able to be quite as incisive in the second half but we kept the ball really well and made them run," Southgate said. "Maybe in the end, that's the bit that's fatigued them and has been critical in the goal that we scored. There was a lot going on in the game. In the end, it is the players who make the decisions on the pitch, and they did it brilliantly."

Of course, the cycle will only truly be broken if England can go all the way and win their first major men's honour since 1966. This is not a vintage Netherlands side and England have, once again, benefitted from a kinder half of the draw. Final opponents Spain look in the sort of form to give England by some distance their toughest match this summer.

Southgate was asked about the prospect of beating Spain. "We'll have to get the ball off them first," began his reply.

But having scrambled for answers all tournament -- changing Declan Rice's midfield partner three times, switching systems from a back four to a three-man defence -- Southgate came up with the game-changing moment when it really mattered.

It may be a one-off. Criticisms of him will remain, despite a tournament record that now reads: semifinal, final, quarterfinal, final. But England are now in a position where Southgate only needs to be right one more time to achieve immortality.

"THAT GOAL SAVED SOUTHGATE" | ENGLAND VS. SLOVAKIA | POST MATCH ANALYSIS

FRUSTRATED FANS POKE FUN AT ENGLAND AFTER ANOTHER DULL EURO 2024 PERFORMANCE

England fans © Getty Images

While England won their group at Euro 2024, their humdrum scoreless draw against Slovenia on Tuesday, the third dull performance in as many games, had frustrated supporters poking fun at coach Gareth Southgate and his team.

Even Irish-owned airline Ryanair got in on the heckling, writing in a post to the team on X: "That's enough, let's get you home."

The tepid draw launched numerous amusing memes, including a photo of a man sitting facing a brick wall under the words "Watching England play football."

Another showed Southgate planting an England flag at the top of a manure pile, with the words "Group C."

England, who could muster only two goals in three games, enjoyed 70 per cent possession on Tuesday but despite boasting four of the best attackers in European football this past season, had just four shots on target.

BOOS AND BOOZE

Many England fans in Cologne beat a hasty exit well before the final whistle, and many of the ones who stayed angrily booed the team off the pitch. A few hurled empty beer cups in Southgate's direction, which had the manager looking shell-shocked in the post-game press conference.

"When there's such a strong association with what the national football team represents in so many ways, and when you don't have success there's always going to be a love-hate relationship," Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said during Tuesday night's television broadcast.

"Everyone talks about history and the group that win something will leave that behind," he added. "It is natural to feel hurt when criticism comes your way."

Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville said Southgate's men "looked so basic in the first half."

"It was a struggle to watch but it moved forward a lot in the second half even though we didn't get the result but there were glimpses of what we can be," he said during the broadcast.

"England have Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden – massive, massive talents and we cannot afford to mismanage them."

DREARY NIGHT

Neville believes the 19-year-old Mainoo will start in Sunday's last-16 game in midfield in place of Conor Gallagher, who had started on Tuesday in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Second-half substitutes Mainoo, Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer were among England's bright spots on an otherwise dreary night.

Southgate, who guided England to a place in the 2020 Euro final where they lost to Italy in a shootout, said he understands supporters' frustration and will bear the brunt of the criticism, but made a plea to fans to at least support the players.

"I understand it. I'm not going to back away from it. The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team," Southgate said.

"I understand the narrative towards me and that's better for the team than it being towards them. But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar."

England's last-16 opponent is yet to be determined.

- Supersport

IBIZA SHOCKS | MAN UNITED CHIEFS FUME AT ERIK TEN HAG FOR REVEALING DETAILS OF THEIR IBIZA SUMMIT IN BOMBSHELL INTERVIEW WITH DUTCH TV

Sir Jim Ratcliffe did not want the meeting made public Credit: ALAMY

 

ERIK TEN HAG is in hot water with Manchester United’s hierarchy after revealing details of their  Ibiza summit.

The Red Devils boss was on holiday there when officials from the club turned up on his doorstep to ask him to continue as the club’s manager.

 "They also informed him they had spoken to other candidates, including former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, but that they wanted to keep the Dutchman on.

Ten Hag was understandably angry with how he had been treated and the way in which this message was delivered when he was supposed to be on a relaxing break.

But new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team are unhappy that what they thought was a private meeting was made public by the manager on Dutch television this week.

The club DO want Ten Hag, 54, to sign a new three-year deal but that is understandably some way from being agreed as yet.

Ratcliffe owns 27.7 per cent of United and has been tasked with looking after all football operations at the club.

He has Sir David Brailsford as his right-hand man and employed Jason Wilcox as technical director.

Meanwhile, incoming football director Dan Ashworth and CEO Omar Berrada are still seeing out gardening leave from their former clubs — Newcastle and Manchester City respectively.

It has not been a great start for the new regime as majority owners, the Glazer family, take a back seat.

What did Erik ten Hag say?

Here is a full transcript of Erik ten Hag's interview that upset Manchester United officials 

Interviewer: "Have you been able to recover a bit over the past few weeks? Obviously, it's been turbulent.

ETH: "It's been a tumultuous season, a very turbulent year of course.

Interviewer: "But it is never dull right?

ETH: "No, never a dull moment at Manchester United."

Interviewer: "But have you been able to have a little vacation?

ETH: "Yes, but this week, they really threw a spanner in the works because then, out of nowhere, they suddenly showed up right on our doorstep.

Interviewer: "At your place?"

ETH: "Mine, yes. They wanted to continue with me."

Interviewer: "How did that go? How did you experience those weeks, then? Because your position was unclear, they were considering whether to continue with you.

ETH: "Yes, I think as in any organisation I think that is very wise that you evaluate and draw conclusions from there that's what Manchester United did.

"The leadership, the new leadership, who are in football for the first time have taken extensive time to evaluate things.

Interviewer: "The men of Ineos, actually, tell me everything because, for example, the story goes that Thomas Tuchel was also approached during that period. Do they tell all that, or is it also just go ahead now, and we don't look back?"

ETH: "No they did indeed tell me that. But anywhere I don't think that is a secret either because everyone got to know that they talked to several candidates."

Interviewer: "How did that come across to you?

ETH: "Well, look in the Netherlands that is still thin we have CDV here and that's not allowed at all.

"You are not even allowed to talk to another club the moment the trainer is an incumbent.

"Well, the rules are a little different, and they did that, but in the end, they came to the conclusion that they had the best trainer."

Interviewer: "And in between they were at the door or they called? 

ETH: "Yes, they came to Ibiza.

Interviewer: "You yourself still had the idea of, well, I don't know if I want to go on then myself?

ETH: "We had a good talk and various topics were discussed and the conclusion was that we will continue with each other but also the conclusion is that we are going to sit down to renew the contract."

Interviewer: "Okay, so the air is cleared, and you go because you have another year's contract, and you're going to renew now?

ETH: "Well of course, we absolutely have to come to some sort of agreement."

Interviewer: "Well, congratulations, already almost then, right? Or you say, well, that's not done one, two, three just yet?"

ETH: "No that's not one, two, three done yet, we still have to talk about that".

Ratcliffe and Co have angered staff behind the scenes with criticisms in emails, while also offering redundancy packages. They wanted to give Ten Hag one of those, too, after the club finished a record low of eighth in the Premier League last season.

But United’s surprise FA Cup final win over champions City saw a wave of support from fans swing behind Ten Hag.

This rattled Ratcliffe and his team and they bought themselves time by claiming a season’s review was needed before making a final decision.

Then, after no new suitable candidate wanted the job or could be found, they decided to keep Ten Hag.

It all adds up to a mess with the clock ticking down to United’s first pre-season game against Norwegian outfit Rosenborg in Trondheim on July 15.

And the spotlight will be on them at full beam as they get the new Prem season under way at home to Fulham on opening night, August 16.

 

Ten Hag was met by officials during his holiday in Ibiza Credit: BACKGRID

 

Nine managers Man United Considered before keeping Erik ten Hag 

ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.

Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.

Gareth Southgate

Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn't talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.

Kieran McKenna

Talks were opened with McKenna's representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag's Wembley win.

Roberto De Zerbi

Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.

Thomas Frank

Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.

Marco Silva

Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.

Mauricio Pochettino

Fell out of Man Utd's thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Thomas Tuchel

Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.

Ruben Amorim

Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.

Roberto Martinez

Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.

 - Neil Curtis, Football Writer 

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