Gary Lineker aimed brutal seven-word dig at England stars after Euro 2024 final

Gary Lineker didn’t mince his words when he commented on England’s Euro 2024 defeat at the hands of Spain, taking a sharp dig at the team and manager Gareth Southgate.

After Nico Williams put Spain ahead shortly after the break, and Cole Palmer levelled the score coming off the bench, it was Mikel Oyarzabal’s late strike that sealed a 2-1 victory for Spain, leaving England’s major trophy aspirations unfulfilled since 1966. Lineker, the BBC frontman, offered a terse summary of England’s efforts in the final, saying: “It is a victory for attacking football.”

He also hinted that this match might mark the end of Southgate’s tenure with the Three Lions. Post-match, speaking to ITV, Southgate sidestepped questions about his future, stating: “I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I’ve got to talk to the right people. It’s not for now.”

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Yet, Lineker suspects that Southgate is ready to step down, remarking: “I suspect Gareth Southgate may have had enough. It is a tough, gruelling job.”

Echoing this sentiment, former England forward Alan Shearer said: “I suspect it will be Southgate’s last game.”

Reflecting on Southgate’s journey with the team, Shearer added: “From where he took over and where they are now. There will be great disappointment at home. Yes, we could have played more attacking football but they have got to the final. But when you are here, you have got to get over the line.”

He concluded with a note on Southgate’s legacy: “The reality is he got us to a final three years ago and got us to a final here, and hasn’t won. That will hurt him and maybe he will think it’s time for someone else.”

The rising star of English football, Jude Bellingham, gave an insight into his bond with Southgate, revealing: “For me, it’s down to the manager and what the FA decide. I’ve got nothing but respect for Gareth giving me my debut in the squad, made me feel very at home.

“He is someone who, I think, in the last year or two as well, our relationship’s kind of gone a little bit past football, where I feel like I can open up to him a lot and I think that speaks volumes of the kind of man he is as well. Whatever happens with Gareth, I’ll always respect him.

“If he stays, then I’ll be even more determined to win something for him because he deserves it. Sometimes the numbers and the kind of statistics, the records don’t lie, he’s been our most successful manager since 1966. So whatever he decides, he will always have my respect and my love.”