Soccer star-turned-pundit Gary Lineker has dismissed claims that his criticism performed a component in compelling Gareth Southgate to step down as England supervisor. Lineker claimed the strategies 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 intention at Southgate, saying he ought to resign from the pinnacle coach place.
Talking on The Relaxation is Soccer podcast, he stated though Southgate was the precise particular person to get everybody behind the English soccer staff, he was not the person to take the undertaking ahead. Lineker expressed his want to see a contemporary, attack-minded coach taking the reins.
He stated:
“I feel he’s been the precise particular person to deliver the nation collectively when it comes to the soccer staff.
“And, now, possibly it’s time for another person with a extra fashionable, attacking fashion of soccer. As a result of I feel the sport’s gone away from being profitable should you’re actually defensive.”
Lineker Insists He Did Not Persuade Southgate To Resign
On Tuesday, July 16, Southgate voluntarily resigned from the pinnacle 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 chargeable for the supervisor’s resignation.
Hitting again on the strategies, he stated on The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast (through Categorical):
“We [pundits] had been crucial at occasions, as a result of you possibly can’t say when a staff will not be taking part in very properly, that they performed properly. In the event that they performed awfully, you say they performed awfully, they usually did within the early a part of the match. There’s no query about that. However then to attempt 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 they usually perceive the place it’s coming from.”
He added:
“They [journalists] continuously attempt to put a wedge between us and gamers and administration. Simply the silliness of it.”
Southgate was accountable for 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.
