Skip to content

Gareth Southgate intends to remain England U21s coach despite exit

Gareth Southgate: England U21s boss
Image: Gareth Southgate: England U21s boss vows to stay on

Gareth Southgate has no intention of quitting as England U21s head coach despite their European Championship elimination.

The Young Lions arrived at the Ander Stadium in Olomouc for their final Group B game against Italy with their destiny in their own hands, but a 3-1 defeat left them bottom of the group table and heading home early.

It is the U21s' third straight group-stage exit and raised questions about Southgate's selections and his own position.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England U21s manager Gareth Southgate blamed a costly two minutes which led to his side losing 3-1 to Italy.

The former England international signed a contract extension until 2017 in January and has no intention of reneging on that deal.

"I'm contracted to stay on, I'd like to stay on," Southgate said, when asked about his future. "In the end, it's not my decision.

"But I think what we've done over two years has progressed the profile of the team, the style in which we've played.

"I think we've had some massive success stories in terms of individuals that have come through the programme. Even in this tournament one or two players that have come through have emerged from it.

"So I think people will look at all of that when they're making that decision."

I'm contracted to stay on, I'd like to stay on.
Gareth Southgate

Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi scored in the 25th and 27th minute respectively to set Italy on their way to victory and leave Southgate devastated.   

OLOMOUC, CZECH REPUBLIC - JUNE 24: Marco Benassi of Italy celebrates with team mates after scoring to make it 2-0 as Nathan Redmond of England looks on
Image: Marco Benassi of Italy celebrates after scoring to make it 2-0 as Nathan Redmond of England looks on

He told Sky Sports News HQ: “You can’t lose a game 3-1 and say ‘we wouldn’t have done anything differently’, but I don’t think there are many things that we have got wrong.

“I’m sure we will reflect on all of it and think about everything from the beginning of the preparation right the way through, but in the end matches are decided on the pitch and a two-minute period really has swung the whole tournament on its head for us.”

Southgate, whose side came into the tournament with a record of 15 wins from 16 games, also felt injuries to key players John Stones, who returned to the back four to face Italy, and Saido Berahino had hindered his side in the Czech Republic.

Harry Kane of England looks on during the UEFA Under21 European Championship match between England and Italy at Andruv
Image: Harry Kane looks on as England U21s lose to Italy U21s

He also insisted their performance should not be compared with other disappointing displays by England in tournament football.

“I don’t think we can lump this group of players in this tournament in with everything else,” he said.

“Every tournament is individual and the reasons for not progressing are all varied. I don’t think it’s one thing.

“I think this tournament has rested on a couple of injury setbacks before the first game which didn’t help us and tonight on two minutes of football. And that’s football - to win tournaments in those key moments you have to finish your chances or make the right decisions to keep the ball out of the back of your net. And in simplistic terms that’s the bit that we have fallen short on tonight.”

Captain and goalkeeper Jack Butland added: “Everyone will look to these kind of tournaments and expect us to do well, as they should. We expected to do well; we expected to do better than we did tonight.

Jack Butland: England U21s skipper left dejected after European Championship exit
Image: Jack Butland: England U21s skipper left dejected after European Championship exit

“As hard as it is you have got to learn from these experiences. There’s so much ability in this squad, young players that have come in and players that have got years and years of top football ahead of them, and I just hope that they learn from this experience, learn what it takes to win on the big stage.” 

Around Sky