‘Once a loser, always a loser’ – Gareth Southgate branded a ‘colossal failure’ as fans rip into England manager for ‘horrific decision-making’ in Euro 2024 final loss to Spain & call for his immediate sacking

“Once a loser, always a loser,” EiF Soccer wrote. “Missed penalty in the Euros as a player. Relegated with Middlesbrough. A colossal failure of a manager who has been repeatedly saved by individual brilliance despite horrific decision-making and tactical set ups. Gareth Southgate, ladies and gentlemen.”

Danny Baker said: “Gareth Southgate was a C grade talent in charge of an A grade squad. A better manager would have taken England further, no matter what stats you show. A boring bloke. A boring team.”

Another fan said: “Southgate is a fraud who should never had the job in the first place. He’s been carried by the quality of players he has and the fact he’s in a weak era competition wise. The second he’s back at club level he will be exposed again. We reached the final in spite of Southgate.”

Richard Lewis added: “Southgate truly is a specialist in failure,” while CentreGoals said: “Southgate has blood on his hands…”

A sarcastic post from Carson read: “Good thing Southgate sacrificed England’s most creative player for that added defensive solidity at [right-back].”

Sam McGuire said: “No idea why BBC are going out of their way to credit Southgate. England reached the final in spite of him, not because of him.”

“Gareth Southgate is the only manager in the world who could take the Bundesliga top scorer, La Liga player of the season and the EPL player of the season, and pick a system that makes all three completely ineffective,” said another fan.

One fan wrote: “Going under the radar that Southgate was about to bring on Conor Gallagher and Kieran Trippier before Spain scored. To sit even deeper during extra time to try to see it out to penalties. Mentality.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Southgate is the first ever manager to be beaten in two European Championship finals. The England boss was heavily criticised throughout the tournament for his team’s playing style and his selection choices, with many urging him to take Harry Kane off sooner than he did in the final.

• Getty Images

  WHAT NEXT FOR SOUTHGATE?

  It is not yet known if Southgate will stay in charge of England after their latest failure. He admitted before the match against Spain that he does not know if he will stay in the role, though it had been reported that the Football Association wants him to remain regardless of Sunday’s result.

  Source goal.com