Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman says England manager Gareth Southgate is a “man in charge” and should take charge of the team at the next World Cup despite losing the Euro 2024 final.
Southgate’s future has been the subject of intense speculation after England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final in Berlin.
He said “it’s not the right time” to announce whether he will stay on as manager after Sunday’s defeat, with his current contract due to expire in December.
Southgate has led England to consecutive European Championship finals, as well as the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
However, his tactics came under criticism from former England players and fans during Euro 2024.
Osman, a two-time England cap, told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club that he hopes Southgate stays on as manager.
“In about 20 years, I’ll remember those moments, winning the second half of four tournaments, having house parties and watching the games with my family,” Osman said.
“We may never see a situation like this again, but this is something we can be proud of.”
Asked if he thought Southgate would stay on as England manager, Osman said: “Yes, I do. He has the skills. [England manager]I know it was frustrating and I know there were moments when we all thought he should have done things differently.
“But he is the man in charge and he is the man who took us to two finals, albeit in this particular tournament.
“So we should let him keep his job.”
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha believes that England manager Southgate, who has been in charge since 2016, will step down.
“What he’s achieved in the larger scheme of England’s history is incredible,” Onuoha told MNC.
“Obviously there are a few things that people don’t like, but if he were to leave today, you look at the squad, it’s a very young, exciting squad with the potential for someone to take over.
“I think he’s going to leave.
“He’ll look at it and think he’s done a good job. He’s probably ready to move on to club football and he’s still young. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s his next move.”
“It’s like a Shakespearean tragedy.”
Sports psychologist Michael Caulfield told MNC that the events of Euro 2024 and the pressures of being England manager for eight years would be taking a huge toll on Southgate and his family.
“The line that Gareth said at Euro 2024 that stuck with me was, ‘He wanted it so badly’,” Caulfield said.
“He wanted people to be happy. He wanted there to be a celebration in Trafalgar Square.”
“He was a big fan of Bobby Robson and Terry Venables. He watched how they were handled and carried themselves with incredible dignity.”
“Gareth seemed utterly devastated last night and yet he was trying to cope with it with real dignity. He kept using the words ‘for the good of his country’ – it’s important to us, it’s important to him and it’s important to the country. It sounds like a Shakespearean tragedy but in many ways it is.”
“Gareth has had his hand in the fire for eight years. When you stick your hand in the fire for that long, it’s bound to have a detrimental effect on you, your family and your whole outlook on life.”
