“It feels like my guts have been ripped out.”

“It feels like my guts have been ripped out this morning,” said Southgate after the 2-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to new European champions Italy.

After Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini had recently lifted the European Championship trophy in front of cheering Tifosi in Rome, Southgate sat with slumped shoulders in the English European Championship camp in Burton upon Trent. Once again the English team lost their nerve from the point, and once again a long-suffering football nation sank into collective grief. “The country in tears after the next penalty fiasco,” wrote the Daily Mail . But why this time? "I need a break." Gareth Southgate Southgate couldn't and didn't want to give an answer. “I need time to reflect on all of this,” said the bitterly disappointed ex-professional. "I need a break. It was a great experience, but leading your country through a tournament takes effort. There’s a lot for me to think about.” Southgate defends his players It's almost bizarre how tragically history repeats itself for the former defender. 25 years ago it was Southgate who ended England's dream of a home title with his miss in the European Championship semi-final against Germany in front of over 70.000 anxious spectators at Wembley Stadium. On Sunday evening and at the same place, it was Southgate again who determined the Three Lions' penalty takers after a highly dramatic final against the Azzurri. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka awarded: a 23-year-old, a 21-year-old and a 19-year-old. Shortly before the end, Gareth Southgate brought Jadon Sancho (left) and Marcus Rashford (center) to the penalty shootout. © APA/afp / ANDY RAIN

“You make hundreds of decisions during a week, even more during a tournament. You don't get them all right. But you have to do more right than wrong,” Southgate said. “If I made wrong decisions, I have to live with it.” The coach once again defended his players around Sancho, who was still from Dortmund and cried bitterly on Wembley night. “It was my decision as to who took the penalties, no one else’s,” he emphasized. “My players should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.” Southgate criticized after penalty drama For many English fans and journalists, Southgate made serious mistakes shortly before the penalty drama. In the 120th minute and with a view to the penalty showdown, he substituted his two oldest players, Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker, and brought on Rashford and Sancho, who had almost no match practice at this tournament. The rest of the story is known. Marcus Rashford was one of the tragic heroes of the penalty shootout. © APA/afp / ANDY RAIN

Southgate had penalty shoot-outs trained for several years; he also selected Sancho, Rashford and Saka based on their training performance, he explained. But can a penalty shootout in a home final in front of over 60.000 roaring fans even be simulated? Southgate knows the criticism and will think about it. But first he and his players are going on vacation. “Of course it will hurt for longer, but the boys can be proud of themselves. In a month we will be able to appreciate what we did, the love we experienced,” said Captain Kane.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Hockey

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

“It feels like my guts have been ripped out.”

Gareth Southgate looked like a sad man. England's national soccer coach sat in his chair on Monday, completely exhausted and badly marked by the painful penalty knockout in the European Championship final, the 50-year-old spoke in a quiet voice.

Suggestions

Comments (0)