Soccer star-turned-pundit Gary Lineker has dismissed claims that his criticism performed an element in compelling Gareth Southgate to step down as England supervisor. Lineker claimed the solutions got here from a piece of journalists who wished to drive a wedge between pundits and gamers and administration.
Gary Lineker Requested England To Make use of A Extra Assault-Minded Coach
Within the aftermath of England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain within the 2024 European Championship (EURO 2024), many pundits, together with Lineker, took goal at Southgate, saying he ought to resign from the top coach place.
Talking on The Relaxation is Soccer podcast, he stated though Southgate was the precise individual to get everybody behind the English soccer staff, he was not the person to take the challenge ahead. Lineker expressed his want to see a contemporary, attack-minded coach taking the reins.
He stated:
“I believe he’s been the precise individual to carry the nation collectively when it comes to the soccer staff.
“And, now, possibly it’s time for another person with a extra trendy, attacking fashion of soccer. As a result of I believe the sport’s gone away from being profitable when you’re actually defensive.”
Lineker Insists He Did Not Persuade Southgate To Resign
On Tuesday, July 16, Southgate voluntarily resigned from the top coach place, saying “It’s time for change, and for a brand new chapter.” Shortly after Southgate’s announcement, Lineker was subjected to a probe, with reporters asking him if he thought he was answerable for the supervisor’s resignation.
Hitting again on the solutions, he stated on The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast (by way of Specific):
“We [pundits] had been important at instances, as a result of you possibly can’t say when a staff is just not taking part in very nicely, that they performed nicely. In the event that they performed awfully, you say they performed awfully, and so they did within the early a part of the match. There’s no query about that. However then to try to make it that that’s the explanation, that criticism is the explanation he’s gone. It’s not. It’s not that in any respect.
“We communicate to the gamers and so they perceive the place it’s coming from.”
He added:
“They [journalists] continually attempt to put a wedge between us and gamers and administration. Simply the silliness of it.”
Southgate was in command of England for eight lengthy years earlier than he determined to step down. He managed them in 102 video games, overseeing 64 wins, 20 attracts, and 18 defeats.
